Jason Statham proved he’s one of Hollywood’s most sensational leading men when he starred in the action thriller The Beekeeper, directed by David Ayer. The movie was a rip-roaring experience focused on a highly skilled former operative from a lethal clandestine organization who goes on an epic mission of vengeance against the people responsible for stealing millions of dollars from a charity. Naturally, Statham leaves behind a bloody trail and attracts the unwanted attention of the top-secret group.
The Beekeeper was a commercial success, grossing $152.7 million against a $40 million budget and attracting praise for Statham’s commanding performance and the pulse-pounding action sequences. The most recent news that Statham would return to the role has had fans abuzz. Here are the details as we know them so far.
Jason Statham Is Set To Reprise His Butt-Kicking Role
Action superstar Jason Statham showcased his physical prowess when he portrayed the silent-but-lethal Adam Clay, a reserved beekeeper previously a former human intelligence agent who worked for the elite, top-secret titular agency in The Beekeeper. The movie would see massive box-office success, grossing over $152 million worldwide. Talks of a potential sequel quickly began to spread, with audiences wanting to discover more about the mysterious organization and Statham’s character, Clay.
Statham’s powerhouse performance garnered rave reviews from his devoted fans, with his delivery of bloody retribution over a phishing scam feeling particularly cathartic. Critics also took to the Statham flick — a rare occasion — as the movie currently sits at a 71% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes. It is no surprise that, with the praise and the financial success, Statham would confirm he is stepping into the role again.
‘The Beekeeper 2’ Will Have a New Director
David Ayer and Jason Statham delivered a winning combo and enjoyed working together on the project. Many suspected he would return after speaking with Variety and stating that he “really, really, really wants to make a sequel,” later adding, “Everybody wants to know more. I want to know more, Jason wants to know more. And Adam Clay is such a great character.” However, Ayer is currently in production on the Brad Pitt Paramount movie The Heart of the Beast, though the team is looking to bring him back in a producing capacity for the sequel. Instead, Timo Tjahjanto will step into the director’s seat.
While fans may be disappointed that Ayer is not returning for The Beekeeper 2, they could not be in more capable hands with Timo Tjahjanto. The Indonesian director has become a Netflix action staple, having released both The Night Comes for Us and, more recently, The Shadow Strays on the streaming platform. His ability to handle high-octane action puts him in the perfect position to help push The Beekeeper franchise forward.
If you’re wondering whether The Beekeeper 2 can match the first film’s surprising box office success, it makes sense to look at director Timo Tjahjanto’s recent win with Nobody 2. The Bob Odenkirk-led sequel has punched past expectations and raked in over $36 million globally in under a month. It’s a solid feat for an action flick made on a medium budget. Tjahjanto seems to be steering The Beekeeper 2 in the right direction, so consider the hive officially armed.
‘The Beekeeper 2’ Finds Its Villain – and He’s Got a Score To Settle
With fans on the lookout for new updates, it’s time to reveal that the hive is stirring again, and now, it’s not just Statham’s Adam Clay causing trouble. Jeremy Irons, the Oscar-winning legend with a voice like velvet and a persona that exudes menace, is officially back in The Beekeeper 2. He is set to reprise his role as Wallace Westwyld, the former CIA director turned corporate security chief who happens to know far too much about the Beekeepers and their shadowy past. In the first film, Westwyld was more of a background operator, but his return in the sequel suggests a prominent shift. He is stepping out of the shadows and into full-blown villain territory.
Given Irons’ flair for theatrics and a history of playing morally murky characters, it’s fair to expect him to bring an unhinged energy to The Beekeeper 2. And with Timo Tjahjanto teasing a rogues’ gallery of “Euro Trash Villains,” it’s not hard to picture Westwyld assembling a squad of international killers with a vendetta against Clay. Irons’ return is also intriguing because it hints at a potential for deeper world-building. The first Beekeeper danced around secret programs, political corruption, and vigilante justice, but it never fully cracked the lore open. As Westwyld is one of the few characters who understands the Beekeepers’ origins, he could be the key to uncovering the mythology.
Potential Plot and Release Date of ‘The Beekeeper 2’
Though many facts have yet to be confirmed about The Beekeeper 2, one thing that will likely be explored in the exciting sequel will be the clandestine human intelligence organization itself. While Ayer is no longer attached to the project, we would like to believe that the movie will carry the enthusiasm and direction that he had first expressed, perhaps helped by his stepping into a producer role. Ayer revealed that the original hit only “cracked the door a little bit” and added that “there’s so much more to explore, and it’s another opportunity to work with Jason.” Fans can expect the follow-up to depict what happened with Adam Clay and the Beekeepers.
A sequel is likely to pick up with Clay after the explosive grand finale of the critical and commercial knockout. According to IMDb, the movie is currently in pre-production, so the timeline for an actual release date is far from being confirmed.
