Jason Statham Biography (cont.)

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The Expendables

Release:
August 13, 2010

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The successful remake of “The Italian Job” (2003) further solidified Statham as the millennium-tough go-to-guy. Playing Handsome Rob in the thrilling heist film that also starred box office favorites Mark Wahlberg and Charlize Theron, Statham’s role again called for a lot of stunt driving in the film. After his tough-to-beat training for “Transporter,” “Italian Job” stunts were a piece of cake for the actor. Jason Statham

In 2004, Statham went more mainstream, taking on a bad guy role for “Cellular,” starring teen heartthrob Chris Evans and Academy Award winner Kim Basinger. Statham played the lead kidnapper in the movie, and proved he could play the villain and still look good doing it. However, the film fizzled at the box office.

During his hot streak onscreen, off-screen women could not get enough of Statham, as well. He dated British model-actress Kelly Brook for seven years. The couple eventually split, and Statham briefly dated singer and actress Sophie Monk in 2005 – both relationships examined intensely by the brutal British tabloids.

Movie fans wanted more Statham in 2005, so he returned with a vengeance in “The Transporter 2.” The sequel once again showed Statham could deliver an action movie with heart, as this time, his character Frank Martin had to protect a young boy and his family from kidnappers. Statham re-teamed with “Cellular” costar Evans in the drama “London” (2005), and also – for the third time with mentor Ritchie in “Revolver” (2005), but the film was not released in American theaters.

In 2006, Statham starred in yet another remake, “The Pink Panther.” Although his scene was very short, audiences recognized him immediately amongst bigger stars Steve Martin, Kevin Kline and Beyoncé Knowles. Thankfully, Statham returned as a leading man-in-jeopardy for the film “Crank,” where his character Chev Chelios must keep his heart rate up to prevent a poison injected in his body from killing him.

Much like his role in “Crank,” Statham showed no signs of slowing down in 2007, with various movies lined up, including the period adventure film “In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale” – a costumed picture which would temporarily relieve Statham of his omnipresent tailored Italian suits. He then went head to head with Li in the martial arts movie “War,” and back to robbing banks in “Baker Street.” The latter movie was based on a real life London heist that inspired the various incarnations of “Ocean’s Eleven” movies – both the 1960 and 2001 versions.

"Transporter 3" is coming out to US theaters on November 26, 2008.

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