Even though Jason Statham is considered by many to be one of the most recognizable action heroes around, his films tend to come out of nowhere and surprise people. Unless they're backed by someone like Luc Besson(The Transporter) or Sylvester Stallone(The Expendables), his films generally go unnoticed until they come and his usual fanbase turns up to watch their favorite bald-headed, grim faced actor play a betrayed special agent for the umpteenth time. For instance, did you know he's got like three movies coming out this year alone? Probably not.
Last year, Statham gave what I thought was an underrated performance in The Mechanic, a remake of a Charles Bronson classic. Now he'll mine similar territory by remaking one of Burt Reynolds' forgotten action flicks, 1986's Heat. Deadline reports that Statham will star, with William Goldman, who adapted his novel for the first film, coming back to script. The kicker is who will be directing: Brian De Palma, marking his first effort since 2007's forgettable Redacted.
Not exactly one of Reynolds' shining moments, the film followed an ex-soldier of fortune turned bodyguard in Las Vegas named Nick Escalante, who is hired by a milquetoast rich guy to learn how to be tougher. Meanwhile, Nick is distracted by a desire for revenge against a local mobster who abused his escort friend. Dudes, if you haven't seen the movie before just know there is some junk mutilation that takes place. Just a warning.
Production could begin in France late this year or early in 2013. In about a month De Palma will be directing Passion, starring Noomi Rapace and Rachel McAdams in a remake of the recent French erotic thriller, Love Crime. Statham will be seen next in Safe, an action film from director Boaz Yakin, and then this summer in The Expendables 2.
