Jason Stathamhas become a recurring figure in theFast & Furiousfranchise known for its ridiculous plots and stunts, but he was part of an even more ridiculous car-based action movie five years prior to joining the popular series. After establishing himself as a bankable action movie star, Universal’sFast & Furiousmoviesrecruited Statham to be a major player in the franchise. He made his debut as Deckard Shaw inFast & Furious 6’s credits' scene. Statham returned as the main villain inFurious 7and has made four more appearances, including post-credits scenes.
By being part of theFast & Furiousfranchise, Statham has been part of some pretty unbelievable action sequences. TheFast & Furiousaction scenesalways push the limit of what audiences will accept, which is how the street racing series has graduated to cars in space and other ridiculous accomplishments. Through it all, there is still a level of realism in these movies based on their present-day, mostly real-life settings. There’s even some solid, practical action and family-centric stories, too. It all seems relatively tame compared to the ridiculous racing movie Jason Statham did beforeFast & Furious 6.
Before Doing Fast & Furious, Jason Statham Got Behind The Wheel In 2008’s Death Race Remake
It Was A Remake Of A 1975 Movie
Jason Statham did an action movie involving cars early on his career with 2003’sThe Italian Job, and he returned to the genre in 2008 withDeath Race. The movie, directed by Paul W.S. Anderson ofResident EvilandMortal Kombatfame, is a remake of the 1975 filmDeath Race 2000. TheDeath Racemoviesare about a deadly race for fame set in a dystopian America involving a legendary prisoner known as Frankenstein, who is one of the drivers. Statham headlines the 2008 remake and plays the latest prisoner to take on the “Frankenstein” mantle and mask.
2008’sDeath Racewas not a major hit upon its release. The film made $75 million at the box office despite having a budget that was reportedly nearly as much. It also received mixed-to-negative reviews, resulting in the 41% critics score it has on Rotten Tomatoes nearly 17 years after its release.The reception toDeath Racedid not hinder Jason Statham’s action career. He hadTransporterandCranksequels that were released shortly after, and then he launched theExpendablesfranchise with Sylvester Stallone. A few years later,Fast & Furiouscame calling, and the rest is history.
Death Race Is Even More Ridiculous Than Jason Statham’s Fast & Furious Films
The Extreme Action Outdoes Anything Fast & Furious Offers
Jason Statham’s role inFast & Furiousmay be more well-known, butDeath Raceis the more ridiculous action movie between them.I just watchedDeath Racefor the first timeand was struck by how extreme the action is compared to theFast & Furiousfilms. Don’t get me wrong, the latter has done its fair share of unbelievable moments, but Statham’s 2008 car movie is on another level. There’s a futuristic setting, highly weaponized cars, gruesome deaths, and more that all help elevate over-the-top momentsDeath Raceputs to the screen.
The ridiculous nature of the action adds to the potential enjoyment factor
That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, either. Not everything inDeath Raceworks, but the action and racing sequences delivered by Paul W.S. Anderson can be quite thrilling at times. The ridiculous nature of the action adds to the potential enjoyment factor.Death Raceis not meant to be taken seriously, with the big reveal ofa giant truck that feels ripped right out ofMad Max: Fury Roadcreating a combination of George Miller’s mind and Vin Diesel’s franchise.
Mileage may vary in terms of how much ofDeath Race’s ridiculous elements you can handle, but it’s easier to accept withFast & Furiousin mind. It has the racing element that was key to earlyFast & Furiousmovies combined with the ridiculous levels of action that later installments added. Plus, there’s the R-rated violence to push it over the edge.Death Raceis absolutely ridiculous in its story, action, and direction, and remainsthe most unbelievable of Jason Statham’s car action movies even after sixFast & Furiousappearances.
Jason Statham’s Death Race Predicted One Element Of His Fast & Furious Villain Role
It Was A Stealth Preview Of A Major Dynamic
The irony of watchingDeath Raceafter Jason Statham became part of a bigger car action franchise inFast & Furiousis seeing the similarities between them. HisDeath Racecharacter even has a similar trajectory and rivalry to Deckard Shaw. This is largely due toFast & Furiousmainstay Tyrese Gibson also having a role inDeath Race. They are at odds throughout most of the movie before teaming up at the very end to break out of prison and get their freedom.
It definitely wasn’t intentional forFast & Furiousto parallelDeath Racewith how Statham and Gibson’s characters interact, but the similarity is there nonetheless. Statham’s Deckard Shaw and Gibson’s Roman Pierce are enemies initially inFurious 7, but they ultimately wind up working together briefly inFast X. Even then, there’s a level of distrust between them, similar to the relationship theirDeath Racecharacters have. The biggest difference isJason Stathambeing a villain turning good inFast & Furiousinstead of remaining the hero throughoutDeath Race.
Death Race
Cast
Death Race is a 2008 action film set in a near-future dystopia where prisons are privatized and inmates participate in a deadly televised car race. The narrative follows a falsely convicted man forced to compete in the high-stakes Death Race, designed as a violent entertainment spectacle for global audiences.
Fast & Furious 6
Fast & Furious 6 is a 2013 action film where Hobbs enlists Dominic Toretto and Brian O’Conner’s crack team to dismantle a mercenary organization across Europe. As they confront the group, Dominic faces personal challenges when encountering his thought-to-be deceased girlfriend, Letty, complicating their mission.
