Jason Statham is one of the most reliably solid action stars working today. The man knows his brand, and he manages to entertain more often than not. His latest feature, Mutiny, delivers the requisite punching, kicking, and mayhem Statham fans have come to expect. But even he can use a little help, and that comes in the form of the very talented Annabelle Wallis and acclaimed British actor Adrian Lester.
Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve had the pleasure of talking to some of the talent behind Mutiny. First up, I spoke with the incredibly lovely Annabelle Wallis. Having interviewed her several times in the past, it was a joy to catch up with her and talk about working opposite Statham. She opened up about sharing the screen with her leading man while also getting the chance to mess up some bad guys herself. It’s always a joy to speak with her, and best of all, she’s a fan of JoBlo!
Next up, I spoke with director Jean-François Richet. Years ago, I covered interviews for his Mesrine movies, so it was terrific to catch up with him as he takes on a Jason Statham action flick. We discussed the challenges of staging action aboard a boat and how the crew had to work within the limitations of the setting. When you have a filmmaker as accomplished as Richet taking on an action movie like this, it can certainly be a treat, and he manages to create an intense ride as the baddies are dispatched in ways only Mr. Statham can deliver.
Adrian Lester is one hell of an impressive talent, with his recent work including the terrific series Ponies. He’s currently back on the stage, and I’m truly envious of those lucky enough to catch him in the limited West End production of Cyrano de Bergerac. The two of us had a terrific time talking about his involvement in Mutiny. We also had a laugh when I pointed out that the whole “Jason on a boat killing people” premise reminded me a little of Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan. Ironically, you tend to root for both Jasons in these two very different examples.
It was fantastic speaking with this excellent crew. Mutiny is currently in theatres, and Statham fans will likely find plenty to enjoy.