Jason Statham and Guy Ritchie Reunite for Action-Thriller VIVA LA MADNESS
Jason Statham and Guy Ritchie are teaming up once again, and that’s always something to get excited about. The dynamic duo behind Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch, and Wrath of Man are reuniting for their sixth collaboration, an action-thriller titled Viva La Madness.
The film promises more of the gritty, stylish underworld energy that made their past projects fan favorites.
Viva La Madness is based on J.J. Connolly’s 2011 novel, the sequel to his acclaimed Layer Cake. While the book continues the story of an anonymous London drug dealer known only as “X,” the film is being described as a stand-alone original feature, not a sequel or spin-off.
That means fans can expect Ritchie’s trademark swagger and criminal chaos, but with a fresh storyline that stands on its own.
The project has been years in the making, initiated by Jason Statham and producer Thomas Benski (Gangs of London), who are producing through Punch Palace Productions and Lumina Studios, along with Ritchie’s Toff Guy Films. Black Bear is also producing and handling international sales, with plans to launch the project at the upcoming American Film Market.
Production is set to begin in January 2026, with Statham currently the only confirmed cast member. Ritchie will write and direct.
Connolly’s Viva La Madness is a darkly comic and sharp-edged crime story filled with scams, sex, narcotics, and dirty money. It continues the story of a disillusioned drug dealer caught between the pull of easy money and the desire to escape it all. The material seems tailor-made for Ritchie’s slick direction and Statham’s no-nonsense screen presence.
I’m sure you remember that the 2004 film Layer Cake, directed by Matthew Vaughn and starring Daniel Craig, helped redefine the British gangster genre. Vaughn had previously produced Ritchie’s Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch, so Viva La Madness feels like a full-circle moment for everyone involved. Craig’s role in Layer Cake famously paved his way to becoming James Bond, while Sienna Miller also broke out in that film.
A Layer Cake follow-up has been rumored for over a decade, with early reports from 2013 suggesting that Statham would take over Craig’s role. Now, it looks like Ritchie and Statham are finally ready to bring that energy to life, even if this new film isn’t a direct continuation.
Over the years, Guy Ritchie has returned to his British crime roots with stylish hits like The Gentlemen, its Netflix spin-off series, and the upcoming Wife & Dog for Paramount+.
With Viva La Madness, Ritchie and Statham are heading back into the gritty, chaotic world that helped define their careers.
Source: Variety