Jason Statham & Guy Ritchie’s New Action Thriller Based on Bestselling Novel Gets Massive Update

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Guy Ritchie and Jason Statham began working together in 1998 with the crime comedy Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, which Ritchie wrote and directed and also featured Statham. They’ve collaborated on several projects since then, and are currently making another action film called Viva La Madness.

Filming wrapped up in February, meaning the action movie is now in the editing phase. This news follows the recent theatrical release of director Ritchie’s latest film, In the Grey.

Viva La Madness Reunites Jason Statham & Guy Ritchie

I just got word that Ritchie’s latest action flick is officially in the can – they wrapped filming about a month ago! He seemed really pleased with the experience, especially working with Jason. And get this – he’s hinted that the movie lives up to its name, whatever that may be! Sounds promising, right?

The filmmaker also mentioned that they and Jason had been working on this project for a decade or more, and finally completing it felt incredibly rewarding. They’re confident the finished product will be excellent.

Jason Statham became involved with the film Viva La Madness in late 2013 when he and his manager, Steve Chasman, purchased the rights to the novel. Viva La Madness is based on J.J. Connolly’s 2011 book of the same name, which continues the story from his popular novel Layer Cake – the source material for the 2004 film directed by Matthew Vaughn and starring Daniel Craig. Despite being based on a sequel novel, this new film isn’t connected to the 2004 movie.

Ritchie said the editing process is going really well and is actually quite enjoyable. He doesn’t know the exact release date yet, but he had a fantastic experience working on the project.

The director hinted that their upcoming project is based on a really fun and wild book. For those who know the source material, it will capture that same energy. He emphasized that the title, Viva la Madness, gives a good idea of what to expect – it’s going to be a lot of fun!

, and it comes three years after their last project, 2023’s Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre.

In the Grey Has a Divisive Reception

You know, one thing I’ve noticed about Guy Ritchie’s films is he really likes to work with the same actors over and over – kind of like what he did with Jason Statham. His newest movie, In the Grey, is a perfect example of that. It brings back a bunch of people he’s used before, including Henry Cavill – I loved him in The Man From U.N.C.L.E. and The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare – and Jake Gyllenhaal, who was great in Ritchie’s The Covenant. Eiza González is back too, after being in The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare and Fountain of Youth. It’s cool to see those familiar faces!

The film initially received negative reviews from critics, earning a 53% score after its release on May 15th. That score has since fallen to 48%, earning it a “rotten” designation. However, audiences had a much more positive reaction, giving the film an 84% approval rating based on over 250 reviews – nearly double the critics’ score.

Audiences loved the performances and exciting action sequences, finding the movie thoroughly enjoyable. One reviewer even compared it to a Guy Ritchie take on Ocean’s 11.

Ritchie has had a busy year so far. He recently launched the Prime Video series Young Sherlock, and will soon be releasing the second season of the Netflix hit The Gentlemen. He’s also working on the dark comedy Wife and Dog, which comes out on October 23rd and features Rosamund Pike, Anthony Hopkins, and Benedict Cumberbatch.

Viva La Madness doesn’t have a release date, but it’s expected to premiere sometime in 2027.

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2026-05-16 19:48