David Ayer and Jason Statham reunite forA Working Man, and the new action movie could make history after 25 years. The upcoming film is a highly-anticipated adaptation of Chuck Dixon’s novel “Levon’s Trade” thanks to who is involved in it. Jason Statham stars in the lead role as Levon Cade, while David Ayer directs the movie afterco-writing the script with Sylvester Stallone. It’s a reunion for Statham and Ayer after they worked together onThe Beekeeper, which was a surprise critical and financial hit for both.
David Ayer and Jason Statham have both been part of movies that received strong reviews from critics. Ayer received career-best reviews in 2012 forEnd of Watch(85% on Rotten Tomatoes), whileStatham’s best came in 2015 withSpy(95% on Rotten Tomatoes).There’s hope thatA Working Manwill bring positive reviewsto the director and star, as the marketing looks promising. If this happens, David Ayer will get a career first on Rotten Tomatoes with a streak Statham has only done twice before.
David Ayer has been in Hollywood for 25 years as a screenwriter and director, and he’s delivered some very well-received movies. He wrote the script forTraining Dayand directed hit drama/thrillers inEnd of WatchandFury. His and Statham’s last collaboration,The Beekeeper, got him his first “Fresh” scores on Rotten Tomatoes in 10 years. That’s because many of the movies he’s written or directed were not well-received by critics, giving them “Rotten” scores on Rotten Tomatoes. David Ayer has never had consecutive “Fresh” movies on Rotten Tomatoes as a result.
71%
17%
26%
76%
21%
85%
37%
Harsh Times(2005)
48%
David Ayer has three “Fresh” movies on Rotten Tomatoes to his name as a director, whileTraining Day(74%) andU-571(68%) are additions to the list as a screenwriter. He’s also been an executive producer on two other movies with positive reviews,Birds of Prey(79%) andBosco(71%). Looking at just the films he’s written or directed, his streak of not having “Fresh” scores, which is 60% or better on Rotten Tomatoes, consecutively goes back 25 years.BoscoandThe Beekeeperwould technically break the streak after 24 years if you factor his producing work in.
The Beekeeper Suggests A Working Man Could Make History For David Ayer
He’s Returning To A Winning Formula
There are reasons to believe this streak will officially end for David Ayer withA Working Man. It’s all because he’s going back to what has worked before.The Beekeeperis Ayer’s most recent “Fresh” movieon Rotten Tomatoes, andA Working Manis basically repeating what made that movie work. The upcoming film is an action/revenge film starring Jason Statham that has a lower budget, focus on the set pieces, and even has Amazon MGM involved again.A Working Manpractically replacedThe BeekeeperfranchiseAyer and Statham started.
After getting mostly positive reviews forThe Beekeeper, it’s no surprise that Ayer would do something similar withA Working Man. It’s the best opportunity to potentially score consecutive “Fresh” movies for the first time in his career. That may not have been part of the reason why he madeA Working Mannext, but it’s a pleasant development for him if the critical response is similar. He’ll further cement himself as a reliable action filmmaker, especially when partnered with Statham.
