"They Wanted Me to Sign for 3 More Films": 13 Years Ago, Jason Statham Decided to Leave the Action Saga That Made Him Famous

Jason Statham could have starred in three more "Transporter" films. However, he walked away from the franchise that launched his career after receiving an offer he deemed unacceptable. Here’s a look back at a breakup that marked his career.

Before becoming one of the most iconic figures in action cinema, Jason Statham saw his career take a decisive turn thanks to a cult franchise: The Transporter. Yet, despite the success of the saga, the British actor chose not to reprise the role of Frank Martin.

A Character That Launched a Career

Released in 2002, The Transporter quickly established itself as a hit with audiences. Co-written by Luc Besson and inspired by the short film series The Hire, the film features Frank Martin, a former special forces soldier turned into a rather opaque profession: transporting packages for dubious clients.

To successfully complete his missions, the driver adheres to a strict set of rules, one of which is essential: never open the package he is transporting. But when this rule is broken, everything changes. Frank discovers that a woman is being held captive in his trunk and finds himself plunged into a dangerous chase involving police and criminals.

The film's triumph at the international box office spawned several sequels and a television adaptation. Most importantly, it allowed Jason Statham to firmly establish himself as a star of the genre.

A Break Motivated by Financial Disagreements

After portraying Frank Martin three times, the actor ultimately decided to leave the franchise. A decision that he claimed was not artistic in nature.

"They wanted me to sign to make three more films when no script was written, and they were offering less money for three films than I had been paid for one!" he revealed to Vulture magazine in 2015 (via Melty).

For Statham, accepting such a deal simply made no sense. He explained that his choice was primarily a matter of professional logic: "I would have loved to continue, but you can't really commit to three films when there’s no script, can you? And for a pittance?"

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The Action Film That Marked Jason Statham the Most

Surprisingly, when asked about his favorite action film, Jason Statham does not spontaneously mention The Transporter. The actor actually has a particular admiration for a classic martial arts film featuring Bruce Lee.

"If you want to talk about films that have had an impact on what I do in the action domain, there’s Enter the Dragon. I've seen it countless times. It’s a unique pioneer in action cinema (...). I’m sure anyone who has ever made an action film has just marveled at the unique talent Bruce Lee had."

Released in 1973, when Jason Statham was only six years old, Enter the Dragon tells the story of an infiltration into a martial arts tournament held on an island by a former Shaolin monk turned opium trafficker and pimp. A classic that continues to influence the greatest figures in action cinema more than fifty years after its release.

The first three Transporter films featuring Jason Statham are available on Ciné+ OCS.