Jason Statham is teaming up once again with director David Ayer for their third action-packed film.
The renowned actor and director duo will collaborate on an upcoming action movie under the Miramax banner, which is already drawing comparisons to the intense, action-driven style of the John Wick series. Statham is no stranger to action films, having built a significant part of his career in this genre. In 2026 alone, he is featured in two action films: the already released Shelter and the forthcoming Mutiny, set to premiere in August. David Ayer has previously directed Statham in 2024’s The Beekeeper and 2025’s A Working Man, both of which had Statham in leading roles.
According to a report by Deadline, Statham will take on the lead role in the new movie titled John Doe, directed by Ayer and scripted by Zak Penn. In the film, Statham portrays a protagonist who is initially without any memories of his identity, except for the persistent memory of a woman named Eliza. As pieces of his past begin to surface, he learns of his involvement in an ongoing secret mission and realizes that the orchestrators of the mission are now pursuing him. The storyline intriguingly labels Statham’s character simply as “John.”
As he regains fragments of his memory, he discovers his training was for a mission that is still active, and he finds himself hunted by the very people who deployed him. With adversaries on his tail, John is torn between completing his original mission and shielding the newfound love that has brought him humanity.
John Doe is being produced and financed by Miramax, with production contributions from Statham’s own Punch Palace Productions, Penn, and Paul Schiff. Black Bear, which also backed A Working Man, will present the film at the Cannes market, likely attracting significant interest due to Statham’s strong track record with both audiences and Miramax. Filming is expected to commence in September 2026, suggesting that more detailed updates on the film will be available soon.
Statham’s prior collaborations with Ayer, including The Beekeeper, have proven financially successful. The Beekeeper was a box office hit following its January 2024 release, bringing in $162.6 million against a $40 million budget, and its success has prompted a sequel set for release in January 2027. Although A Working Man did not achieve the same level of success, it still earned a respectable $98 million at the box office against its $40 million budget. The upcoming John Doe adds to Statham’s busy schedule, as he is also currently involved in filming and producing Viva La Madness, an action thriller directed by Guy Ritchie. Ayer is also preparing for his next project, Heart of the Beast, an action-adventure film featuring Brad Pitt and J.K. Simmons under Paramount Pictures.
With production set to start later this year, more details about John Doe are expected soon. The successful pairing of Statham and Ayer in recent action films only heightens the anticipation for this new movie, which promises to be another strong contender at the box office, especially if it lives up to its Bourne-esque premise.
Ava Thornton is an entertainment journalist with a keen eye for the latest in Hollywood, indie films, and streaming trends.
Her work blends insider knowledge with a deep appreciation for storytelling.
