The Beekeeper director David Ayer has another new project lined up following the unexpected box-office success of his Jason Statham-led action-thriller. Grossing $152 million at the worldwide box office against a modest $40 million budget, The Beekeeper proved itself an unlikely box-office hit in the wake of Statham’s far more costly outings in 2023’s Fast X and Expend4bles. Serving as Ayer’s first collaboration with the English action star, the pair are also set to reunite on an adaptation of Chuck Dixon’s Levon’s Trade for Amazon MGM.
Per The Hollywood Reporter, Ayer has also signed with Paramount Pictures to helm a new project Heart of the Beast. Set to follow the story of a former Navy SEAL and his retired combat dog who seek to return to civilization following an accident in the Alaskan wilderness, the script has been penned by music video director and emerging screenwriter Cameron Alexander. Produced by Academy Award winner Damien Chazelle and Olivia Hamilton (La La Land, Babylon) under their Wild Chickens Productions banner, Ayer will also serve as a producer alongside Cedar Park Entertainment producing partner Chris Long.
Will David Ayer Tap Jason Statham For Heart Of The Beast?
So far, no casting has been confirmed for Heart of the Beast.
While Statham is no stranger to playing roles with a background in special forces, the underlying premise behind Heart of the Beast would likely involve a far more nuanced, solo performance than the kind of action-heavy fare he is known for.
At this stage, there is no indication which actor is likely to sign on to play the lead in Ayer’s latest project. With Paramount having only just secured Ayer’s services as a director on the project, it will likely be some time before casting details and other key behind-the-scenes decisions are revealed. Moreover, with little known about the movie’s leading role aside from his description as a retired Navy SEAL, it is possible the movie’s producers could have a very different actor in mind for the project.
While Statham is no stranger to playing roles with a background in special forces, the underlying premise behind Heart of the Beast would likely involve a far more nuanced, solo performance than the kind of action-heavy fare he is known for. With the movie’s lead stranded in the Alaskan wilderness with only his canine for companionship, whichever actor is chosen for Ayer’s new movie will probably need to sustain a performance as the only human role throughout what will likely be much of the movie.
This does not necessarily discount Statham as a potential prospect, and his willingness to reunite with Ayer on Levon’s Trade indicates that the pair have already established a good working relationship. Moreover, such a toned-down role could potentially offer Statham the opportunity to prove he is capable of being far more than the typical action hero he played in The Beekeeper. Until more details are released about Heart of the Beast, such speculation will only be baseless conjecture in the absence of more concrete information.