The Beekeeper 2is now confirmed, with Jason Statham returning and a new director. Released in early 2024, David Ayer’sThe Beekeeperintroduced audiences to Statham’s Adam Clay, a former “Beekeeper” operative who sets out on a path for vengeance after someone close to him is scammed. The first film, which also starred Emmy Raver-Lampman, Jeremy Irons, and Josh Hutcherson, earned generally positive reviews and was a surprise box office hit, leading to talk of apotentialThe Beekeeper 2.
Deadlinenow reports that Miramax and Statham will reteam forThe Beekeeper 2. Ayer won’t direct the film, however, withTimo Tjahjanto (The Night Comes For Us) instead stepping in to helm the sequel. The movie is set to start filming this fall with a script from Kurt Wimmer, who also wrote the first film.Deadlinenotes that the studio is looking to bring Ayer back as a producer onThe Beekeeper 2. Amazon MGM Studios is reportedly a top option to handle domestic distribution for the sequel after doing the same for the original.
What The Beekeeper 2’s Confirmation Means For The Movie
Timo Tjahjanto’s Action Movie Experience Explained
While Ayer was evidently a crucial ingredient toThe Beekeeper’s positive reviews and box office success,Tjahjanto comes to the table with some impressive experience in the action genre. Tjahjanto has directed Indonesian Netflix action movies likeThe Night Comes For Us(2018),The Big Four(2022), and, most recently, the well-receivedThe Shadow Strays(2024). Before tacklingThe Beekeeper 2, though, Tjahjanto is set to make a splash in Hollywood withNobody 2starring Bob Odenkirk.
Jason Statham Needs The Beekeeper 2 To Break A Bad Sequel Streak After $150 Million Hit
The Beekeeper 2 has yet to be announced, but the sequel to the $150 million hit can help Jason Statham break a bad sequel streak at the box office.
Even thoughThe Beekeeper 2won’t serve as a reunion for Statham and Ayer, the two figures continue to enjoy a strong working relationship.Statham stars in Ayer’sA Working Man, an action thriller hitting theaters on March 28. Even though Tjahjanto is set to bring his own unique directing sensibilities toThe Beekeeper 2, Wimmer’s return on scripting duties suggests it will still have plenty in common with the original movie. With filming getting underway this fall, the sequel could hit theaters in late 2026.
The Beekeepergrossed $152 million worldwide on an estimated budget of $40 million.
Our Take On The Beekeeper 2
The Jason Statham Sequel Is In Good Hands
Statham continues to pump out action movies at a fairly regular cadence, and not all of them are winners.The Beekeeper, however, is seemingly in on the joke of just how ridiculous it is, and it’s this sense of humor – combined with hard-hitting action sequences – that helped the movie stand out from the pack.The movie knows how to take advantage of Statham’s strengths as an actor, and the sequel will also need to do this in order to succeed.
With Ayer out, Tjahjanto is arguably the best option as a replacement.Tjahjanto’s style of action and Statham’s physicality could be an exceptional combination, and it might even result in the sequel having stronger action sequences than the original. Many questions remain aboutThe Beekeeper 2, especially in terms of what other cast members may return, but the film is already looking promising.
