Jason Statham exits Kevin Hart action-comedy weeks before production start

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

It would appear that Jason Statham is having a last minute change of heart. The actor was expected to join Kevin Hart in the action-comedy THE MAN FROM TORONTO but Statham has now excited the project mere weeks before the start of production.

Helmed by Patrick Hughes, the man behind THE EXPENDABLES 3 & THE HITMAN'S BODYGUARD, THE MAN FROM TORONTO was aboout 4-6 weeks away from cameras rolling on the project. Statham was going to play the world’s deadliest assassin — known as ‘The Man from Toronto’ — who teams up with Teddy (Kevin Hart), New York’s biggest screw-up, when they are mistaken for each other in a rented Airbnb. The studio is already on the lookout for another actor who will compliment Hart's comedic style so they can keep the film on track.

The bone of contention seems to be creative differences over the tone of the film. Jason Statham was really shooting for the film to have an R-ratings but the studio, Sony Pictures, didn't think that would be ideal given the fact that they are shooting for a November 20 release date which will lead into the more family friendly Thanksgiving corridor.

Also coinciding with this news breaking was that Statham parted company with WME, the agency that signed him away from CAA early last year. It's not confirmed if this parting of the ways happened because of the situation with THE MAN FROM TORONTO but it does seem a bit suspect since the news broke so soon after.

I think Statham and Hart would've played well off each other and maybe the former saw some potential with the film being R-rated. That being said, studios are all about profit in the end and Sony likely felt they could reach a bigger audience with the premise if it carried a PG-13 rating.

Who do YOU think should replace Jason Statham in the film?