Jason Statham and David Ayer have found a pretty reliable groove together, so it’s not exactly shocking to see them lining up another movie. Still, their latest reunion sounds like it could push them into slightly different territory. John Doe has the bones of a classic Statham setup — a dangerous man, a buried past, lots of people trying to kill him — but it’s also leaning into memory loss, identity, and a more emotional hook than usual. Now the project is officially moving forward, with Miramax and Black Bear taking it to Cannes.
According to Deadline, Ayer will direct John Doe from a script by Zak Penn, with Statham set to star as the title character, described as a man with no memory, no past, and no name. Deadline describes the project as:
Statham is set to play the Man With No Name in the film, which will chart the story “of a man with no memory, no past, and no name — and only one face he can’t forget: Eliza. As fragments of his identity return, he discovers he was trained for a mission still in motion and is being hunted by the very people who sent him. With enemies closing in, John must choose between finishing what he started… or protecting the one thing that makes him feel human: love.”
Who Is Involved in ‘John Doe’?
Penn’s credits include Ready Player One, The Avengers, Free Guy, X2: X-Men United, and The Incredible Hulk, while producer Paul Schiff has credits ranging from Rushmore and My Cousin Vinny to Mona Lisa Smile. Ayer, of course, is coming off recent Statham collaborations The Beekeeper and A Working Man, both of which are specifically cited in the announcement as successful comps for this pairing. That gives John Doe a pretty easy sales pitch before cameras have even rolled.
“We’re thrilled to be reuniting Jason and David on John Doe, powered by Zak Penn’s sharp, propulsive script. With wildly inventive action and modern themes that will resonate with a global audience, this takes the Statham/Ayer collaboration to a new level,” said Jonathan Glickman, CEO, Miramax.
“Jason is a singular talent in the action genre who consistently delivers for his audience,” added John Friedberg, President of International for Black Bear. “David has also firmly established himself as one of the top action directors working today. Their previous collaborations rank among the most successful independent action movies in recent years, and we are thrilled to deliver their third movie together in John Doe.”
via Collider