‘The Beekeeper 2’: Jeremy Irons Confirmed to Return for Jason Statham’s Action Sequel!!

Things are moving quickly on a sequel to Jason Statham‘s biggest action hit of the decade, The Beekeeper. With director Timo Tjahjanto scouting filming locations recently in anticipation of Adam Clay’s next missions, cameras are now set to get rolling this fall. In preparation, one of the original’s Oscar-winning stars has been lined up to reunite with Statham and square off against his unstoppable agent of death. Jeremy Irons is back on board for The Beekeeper 2, reprising his role as former CIA director turned head of security at Danforth Enterprises, Wallace Westwyld. Whatever part he’ll play in the sequel’s story remains to be seen, though he figures to be a thorn in the Beekeeper’s side as he carries out his next objective.

In the first Beekeeper, Westwyld was responsible for protecting Clay’s target, Derek Danforth (Josh Hutcherson), whose businesses included the call center that scammed Clay’s dear friend, Eloise (Phylicia Rashad), and ultimately pushed her to take her own life. As the former CIA director, he had knowledge of the Beekeepers, their mission, and just how dangerous any individual member could be, and thus arranged for ex-special forces, mercenaries, and even another Beekeeper to stop Clay before he could enact his revenge. He just barely avoided Clay’s wrath in the end, albeit not without suffering a few broken fingers. Depending on who he’s working for, he can be a real threat thanks to his many connections, though he wasn’t exactly the happiest working as Derek’s babysitter.

Aside from Statham himself, Irons is the only other cast member confirmed to be returning so far. In addition to him, Rashad, and Hutcherson, David Ayer‘s action epic also featured the talents of Emmy Raver-Lampman, Bobby Naderi, David Witts, and Minnie Driver. With Ayer handing the reins off to Tjahjanto, who’s fresh off delivering his first English-language film in Bob Odenkirk‘s action comedy sequel Nobody 2, the only other member of the main team coming back for more is writer Kurt Wimmer. Together, they’ll face a tall task of replicating The Beekeeper‘s success after the first film raked in over $160 million at the box office and earned a 71% score from critics and a Verified Hot 92% mark from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes thanks to mixing bombastic Statham action with a lot of heart.

‘The Beekeeper 2’ Isn’t Irons’s Only Anticipated Upcoming Project

Whatever role he’s played, Irons has routinely brought excellence with his performances, whether it be in a dual capacity in Dead Ringers, as the villainous Scar in Disney‘s The Lion King, in an Oscar-winning capacity in Reversal of Fortune, or even in the old DCEU as Batman’s beloved butler and confidante, Alfred Pennyworth, among other things. He has another notable turn coming soon to U.S. viewers, too. Next year, the EGOT winner’s new series adaptation of The Count of Monte Cristo, in which he co-stars with Sam Claflin, will arrive via PBS Masterpiece. He’ll appear as Abbé Faria, the scholarly abbot who tells Edmond Dantès of the treasure that would help him become the titular Count.