Every Jason Statham Movie Remake, Ranked Worst To Best

Jason Statham is known for action films, and he’s starred in quite a few remakes – though the quality varies. He’s become a staple in the action genre, building successful franchises like The Transporter and the Fast & Furious series. Interestingly, he began his career with a string of remakes.

His film work is incredibly diverse, spanning everything from classic comedies to intense 1970s-style action movies. While the quality varies – many of his earlier films came before he became a well-known leading man – there are still some real standouts. Even his less impressive movies can be enjoyable to watch.

8. The Pink Panther (2006)

Though he doesn’t often appear in comedies, Jason Statham has a knack for it, as seen in films like Snatch and Spy. He’s amusing in his brief, uncredited appearance in the 2006 film The Pink Panther, playing a football coach whose murder starts the plot. Sadly, the movie itself isn’t very enjoyable.

Steve Martin is a legendary comedian, making him a natural fit to take on the role of Inspector Clouseau, previously made famous by Peter Sellers. The movie had all the ingredients for success – a talented cast including Martin, Kevin Kline, and Emily Mortimer – but unfortunately, it doesn’t quite come to life.

Inspector Clouseau, as portrayed by Martin, is a frustrating character, and the humor is very over-the-top. While this approach helped the original Pink Panther movie become a big success, it hasn’t held up well over time. This reboot is best left in the past, and Jason Statham fans wanting to see his brief appearance can easily find it on YouTube.

7. 13 (2010)

The 2005 French thriller 13 Tzameti gained recognition for its intense story of a man forced to participate in a deadly game of Russian roulette. Its distinctive black-and-white style and dark mood made it a standout crime film, leading many to expect a Hollywood remake. When a remake did happen in 2010, it had all the right ingredients for success – the original director, Géla Babluani, and a strong cast featuring Jason Statham, Mickey Rourke, and Ray Winstone – so it seemed poised to deliver.

Unfortunately, this remake doesn’t live up to the original 13. It loses the gripping suspense and feels drawn out by unnecessary side stories. The biggest mistake was abandoning the striking black and white visuals of 13 Tzameti, leaving us with a surprisingly bland American thriller despite a talented cast.

It’s no surprise this movie was delayed and had a limited release – it’s simply not very good. Even Jason Statham fans might want to avoid it.

6. Wild Card (2015)

Jason Statham and Burt Reynolds had a curious connection in their careers. They both appeared in what is widely considered the worst movie of each of their careers, In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale. Additionally, Statham later starred in two remakes of films originally made famous by Reynolds. One of these, Wild Card, was a modern take on Reynolds’ 1986 thriller Heat, which itself was based on a novel by The Princess Bride author William Goldman.

Unfortunately, both movie versions of the original story aren’t very good. Wild Card came out during a slow period for Jason Statham, following a string of unremarkable action films like Parker and The Expendables 3. Wild Card leans more towards drama with some action scenes, and it’s helped by strong performances from supporting actors like Stanley Tucci and Jason Alexander.

Honestly, Wild Card just doesn’t hold up. The serious moments lack impact, and the action feels routine for Jason Statham – like he’s barely trying. It’s no surprise this thriller isn’t often remembered, even by his fans, years later.

5. Ghosts of Mars (2001)

Though Jason Statham is known for action, Ghosts of Mars was one of his earliest roles in the genre. The 2001 sci-fi film is director John Carpenter’s second take on a classic Western theme, specifically a reimagining of Rio Bravo, the famous John Wayne movie about a sheriff defending against outlaws.

Jason Statham and the cast, including Ice Cube and Clea DuVall, battle miners who are controlled by angry alien ghosts. This film, one of John Carpenter’s last, wasn’t well-received by critics or audiences when it came out, largely because of its old-fashioned special effects and awkward conversations.

Looking back, it’s obvious John Carpenter was having a blast making this delightfully cheesy B-movie. Ghosts of Mars isn’t high art, let’s be honest, it’s pure, late-night, guilty-pleasure fun. The sets are a little rough around the edges, and the story gets bogged down in some seriously convoluted flashback sequences. But honestly? It’s hard to stay mad at an action flick that features Ice Cube battling a hulking alien they call ‘Big Daddy Mars’ with a sword. It’s just…fun.

4. The Mechanic (2011)

Okay, so The Mechanic basically takes a really solid Charles Bronson thriller from the 70s and…well, makes it a Jason Statham action movie. It’s not bad, though! Statham brings a certain directness to the role that actually works. And honestly, the supporting cast is surprisingly good – Ben Foster is fantastic as his apprentice, and it’s great to see the late Donald Sutherland in it too. It elevates the whole thing.

This remake of The Mechanic moves away from the subtle romantic tension of the first film, opting for a straightforward action experience. Director Simon West (Con Air) handles the action well, and the film’s brisk 90-minute runtime keeps things moving. However, its biggest flaw is that it doesn’t offer anything new or original.

While the unusual connection between Statham and Foster manages to evoke some feeling, the movie mostly feels like it’s just going through the motions with action sequences until it reaches the end. Its biggest flaw, however, is that it reverses the satisfyingly bleak conclusion of the original film starring Charles Bronson.

3. Death Race (2008)

After finishing with The Transporter films, Jason Statham quickly took on another driving role in Death Race. This Paul W.S. Anderson film features him as a former race car driver who’s forced to compete in a brutal prison race. It’s essentially a dark and gritty take on the Fast & Furious franchise—so much so that Tyrese Gibson, known from Fast & Furious, even appears as a fellow racer.

Honestly, the story in Death Race is pretty familiar – a good guy, Jason Statham, gets wrongly accused of his wife’s murder and has to fight his way through prison. But what really makes the movie work is the races themselves. They’re just so satisfyingly brutal and feel incredibly real. The editing gets a little shaky sometimes, but the amazing practical effects and stunts totally make up for it. It’s the action that grabbed me!

Death Race is a fun movie to watch, but considering the setup, Jason Statham doesn’t get to do much fighting. While the movie led to several sequels, Statham wasn’t involved in any of them.

2. Mean Machine (2001)

Jason Statham and Guy Ritchie both started their film careers with the 1998 movie Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. While both have become very successful since then, it was actually former soccer player Vinnie Jones who really stood out in that early gangster comedy.

After his success, filmmakers quickly sought out leading roles for Jones, and Mean Machine proved to be the most fitting. The film is a reimagining of The Longest Yard, centering on Jones’ character – a former football star forced to play a game while imprisoned. Alongside Jones, the 2001 sports drama boasts a strong supporting cast, including Danny Dyer, David Hemmings, and Jason Statham, who plays the intimidating convict Monk – and a surprisingly talented goalkeeper.

While Mean Machine relies on familiar sports movie tropes, it’s still an enjoyable and energetic film. The characters are likable, the football action is exciting, and Jason Statham delivers a surprisingly funny performance, making you wish he did more comedy.

1. The Italian Job (2003)

The 2003 film The Italian Job is a remake of the classic Michael Caine movie, and falls into the category of action films featuring Jason Statham driving. Surprisingly, it’s a really enjoyable and charming movie. At this point in his career, Statham wasn’t the main star, and shared the screen with bigger names like Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, and Edward Norton.

The actors are what make this movie great, and the team of thieves is incredibly fun to watch. While it doesn’t offer anything new to the heist genre, it doesn’t try to be groundbreaking either. Some might even say the 2003 version of The Italian Job is just as enjoyable as the original, which, beyond its famous car chase and ending, hasn’t held up very well over time.

The film provides several opportunities for Jason Statham to showcase his talent, even though his role is primarily to add excitement. While a sequel with the original cast could have happened, considering how surprisingly good The Italian Job (2003) was, it was probably best to leave well enough alone.

2026-04-26 19:31