Comments on: Wishful Thinking? Jason Statham Would Like To Work With Christopher Nolan & Martin Scorsese

By: Dan B

Dan B — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:35:24 +0000

If he wants to work with these great directors, he needs
to prove himself and expand and show that he can do
some serious acting.

By: LA2000

LA2000 — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:35:24 +0000

If you just look at the numbers (which is exactly how such things are decided), Statham is a reliable but modest box office performer. His pull overseas isn't particularly compelling either. Strictly by the numbers, he is Steven Segal, minus "Under Siege." So, unless he just wants to settle for a cameo in a Scorsese or Nolan picture, his best bet is to first find a picture that helps him cross out of his current niche and into the mainstream. In short, he needs a mainstream +$100 million domestic grosser with generally positive notices in which he is one of the top two names on the marketing materials (the Tom Cruise/Risky Business model), or in which his smaller role is considered to be an exceptional highlight (the Melissa McCarthy Bridesmaids/Brad Pitt Thelma & Louise model). Rather than lust after a Nolan or Scorsese, he'd be smart to shadow the projects with breakout potential that get sent to someone who could cross into his niche. Someone like Mark Wahlberg. He'd also be smart to target a director like Clint Eastwood, someone with critical bona fides who generally specializes in the sort of male-centric, nuanced stories that Statham would need to expand the public's perception of his abilities.

But to get in with Scorsese in a leading role, he needs to first demonstrate a truly compelling box office presence. As history has shown, if the Scorsese lead calls for an aging, muscled, brooding body guard, Scorsese would have no compunction with (mis)casting Dicaprio, who keeps the budget healthy and opens the picture, before he'd cut his director's fee and reduce the number of shooting days to hire someone more appropriate but with less box office clout.

There's a reason Scorsese is best buds with Dicaprio, and it ain't about the art.

By: rodie

rodie — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:35:24 +0000

He'd have better luck name dropping Refn or Tarantino. Soderbergh probably would have worked with Statham. Too late for that though.

By: Smyth E. Alan

Smyth E. Alan — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:35:24 +0000

He was pretty solid in 'Hummingbird', which is one of my favorite films on the year thus far. There's no denying the Stath's got presence, even if his range might be limited (and even the role in this film wasn't too far a leap).

Presence is more than you can say for many of the pithy leads thrust about in films today, though, and a top director would certainly be able to utilize this to maximum filmic advantage.

By: CrombyMouse

CrombyMouse — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:35:24 +0000

Jason has nice charisma and I think he's more versatile than he seems to be. He's 50 soon so he have to change something in his career choices.

By: oogle monster

oogle monster — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:35:24 +0000

Look no further than Matthew McConaghey. A few years ago, everyone thought he was a joke… and he would never get a role that wasn't a rom com lead. I can see Statham following in similar footsteps once he decides to take his career more seriously… the guy can't expect Nolan and co. to come to him until he proves himself beyond mindless action films!

By: gert

gert — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:35:24 +0000

Anyone seen London ? Great performance, and possibly my fave Statham role.

By: Rick

Rick — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:35:24 +0000

The guy has screen presence. I could see Scorsese working with him

By: Raphael

Raphael — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:35:24 +0000

I really like him IN Snatch and he doesn't punch anyone in the face there.

By: tristan eldritch

tristan eldritch — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:35:24 +0000

Honestly, I think he probably has the potential for serious work if given the opportunity, a little like Bruce Willis.

By: James

James — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:35:24 +0000

He should play one of the priests in Silence.

By: owdl114

owdl114 — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:35:24 +0000

He's appeared (if ever so briefly) in a Michael Mann. So anything's possible especially when you consider the faces that have popped up in Christopher Nolan movies (Tom Conti, Tom Berenger, Eric Roberts, Anthony Michael Hall, Tom "Tiny" Lister, Jr. etc.)

By: qwerty

qwerty — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:35:24 +0000

How is this really news? I'm pretty sure just about everyone would like to work with Nolan and Scorsese.