Jason Statham Eyes 'Susan Cooper' with Melissa McCarthy

Now that Jason Statham has settled into a groove of playing nothing but hardcases who talk with their fists and feet, it's easy to forget that his start came in comedies. His most prominent early roles came in Guy Ritchie laughers Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch, along with the footballer film Mean Machine. Now he's heading back to the genre but there still may be plenty of opportunity for him to kick some ass.

Deadline reports Statham will enter talks to join Melissa McCarthy in the spy comedy Susan Cooper, to be directed by Bridesmaids and The Heat helmer Paul Feig. A potential franchise in the making, the film casts McCarthy as a female secret agent in the vein of James Bond, but it's not meant to be a spoof. If a deal is worked out Statham would play a fellow agent on McCarthy's side. McCarthy's Bridesmaids co-star Rose Byrne has also been circling a supporting role, so this one is developing fast.

Statham will be seen next taking on James Franco in Homefront, and then he'll be seen next year in The Expendables 3 and Fast & Furious 7.  It would be a nice change of pace for Statham appearing in a female-led comedy after years portraying The Transporter, a character who routinely tossed women into car trunks.