Jason Statham's next action epic from the John Wick director just added a Ted Lasso star
Hannah Waddingham is suiting up with Jason Statham, joining his meta action comedy and cranking the chaos to eleven.
Jason Statham is about to set foot in fairly bizarre territory, and honestly, that’s saying something even for a bloke who’s spent years cheerfully punch-kicking his way through every action franchise going. His latest? A film called 'Jason Statham Stole My Bike'. Yes, that’s genuinely the title. The whole thing looks as if it’s shaping up to be equal parts meta, ridiculous and—very possibly—stupidly good fun.
David Leitch is directing—he’s the same chap behind 'The Fall Guy' and the original 'John Wick', so he knows his way around a well-timed punchline and a battered car bonnet. Filming kicked off back in June in the UK and in Malta. Given Statham’s recent CV reads like a guided tour through mid-budget, no-nonsense action (think 'The Beekeeper' or anything Guy Ritchie’s had him doing lately—hello again, 'Viva La Madness'), this new outing feels like he’s throwing himself straighter into the deep end of self-parody. It's got a reported budget of $80 million—definitely north of his usual fare—and the premise is essentially Statham playing the main role: global superstar, action legend, and, well, Jason Statham.
Hannah Waddingham Jumps On Board
The film just landed its first big casting move. Hannah Waddingham is joining Statham—and if you’ve seen her lately, you’ll know that’s no small deal. Deadline were the first out of the blocks with the news. Waddingham’s wandered pretty effortlessly into high-profile cinema since 'Ted Lasso', cropping up in Leitch’s own 'The Fall Guy' with Ryan Gosling and turning up the volume as a naval commander in 'Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning'. Bit of a run, that. Her knack for authoritative comedy feels almost purpose-built for a knowingly daft action comedy like this.
Quick sidebar for anyone not following: Waddingham's more than just a TV face. Three Olivier nominations for West End work, and right now she’s in Prime Video’s 'Ride or Die', which she also exec-produced with Octavia Spencer. She fits the role here because this film’s clearly playing up the big, self-aware laughs whilst letting the grown-ups stay in the room. They’re going for a PG-13 rating, and if you need to plan ahead, the North American release date is locked for 6 August 2027. Not exactly round the corner, but it does line up with how these bigger budget comedies move.
Premise Is Bonkers. It May Just Work
Plot-wise, there’s not much to go on aside from the one-line gag: Statham, playing Statham, in what’s being billed as 'the role of a lifetime'. Everything else is under wraps for now, but if you’re getting flashbacks to 'Being John Malkovich', you’re not alone. Meta films where a celebrity plays a version of themselves are rare, mostly because, let’s be honest, they’re nearly impossible to get right. Cage’s 'The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent' did it well, got rave reviews, but didn’t exactly set the box office alight. And that’s Nick Cage—who's built for bonkers self-mockery. The Statham film's frankly ludicrous title is only going to help up to a point.
Thing is, Statham can do funny. If anyone doubts that, watch him chew the scenery and shamelessly upstage everyone in Paul Feig’s 'Spy' as the world’s most deranged CIA agent. Supposedly, his gig in 'Jason Statham Stole My Bike' is in much the same ballpark—a gleefully amped-up version of his usual persona.
'Statham will appear in the role of a lifetime, playing global action superstar Jason Statham.'
The script is by Alison Flierl, who knows her way around smart, self-referential comedy ('BoJack Horseman' fans will know the style). If you pair that with Leitch’s stunt pedigree and Waddingham’s dry wit, there’s at least a fighting chance the whole off-the-wall setup delivers more than just a silly title and a few knowing winks. Plot specifics are being kept secret for now, but with the creative team lined up, it’s clear which way they’re pointing the compass.
Who Else Is Doing What
- Jason Statham: starring as a heightened version of himself (if that’s possible)
- Hannah Waddingham: confirmed to costar, details on her character yet to emerge
- David Leitch: directing, fresh off 'The Fall Guy' and teeing up 'How to Rob a Bank' for late 2026
- Alison Flierl: writing the screenplay
- Release Date: August 6, 2027, North America (PG-13 rating planned)
- Budget: $80 million (a step up for Statham, compared to his recent projects)
- Filming: in progress since June 2026 in UK and Malta