Jason Stathamreally kicked into high gear during the2000s, delivering a total of 19 movies throughout the transformative decade. He firmly cemented his status in Hollywood as one of the best action stars to have arrived in a long time. With his signature look and brutal fighting style, he took the action genre by storm, but also made sure to serveemotionally complex and nuanced characterswherever he landed.
After debuting inLock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrelsin 1998, it was during the 2000s that Statham truly began to make his mark. He showcasedtechnical martial arts skillsand the ability to take down the meanest of villains with his bare hands. He delivered one adrenaline-fueled blockbuster after another and by the mid-2000s, it was as if you could not watch an action movie without spotting Statham on screen. From collaborating with Jet Li inThe Oneto launching a franchise withThe Transporter,he was the spotlight that spread everywhere.
Statham also collaborated with heavyweights like Chris Evans, Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, and Mark Wahlberg, as well as directors like Guy Ritchie and Paul W.S. Anderson for some truly memorable movies. Through it all, the one thing that remained constant was Statham’s explosive performances where he took command and was efficient in every scene. Now, this list ranks all 19 movies from the 2000s that rocketed Jason Statham to a place among the most elite action stars of all time,not including uncredited roles, documentaries, or cameos likeCollateral.
19In the Name of the King (2008)
In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale
Based on the popular video game,Dungeon Siege,In The Name of the Kingstars Jason Statham in the role of a Farmer, residing happily with his family in the town of Stonebridge until a violent attack by creatures named Krugs turns his life upside down. When they abduct his wife, Farmer is fueled by vengeance, and he sets off on a personal quest to find Gallian, the evil leader of the Krugs.
A Disappointing Video Game Adaptation
In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Talewasa massive disappointment at the box officeand with the critics, who called the storyline “overwhelmingly dislikable,” and the production values subpar. There were also comparisons between it and the Lord of the Rings films, and we all know which one’s better. Still, director Uwe Bell tried to capitalize on Statham’s intense personality and stayed committed to the role.
18Turn It Up (2000)
Turn It Up
Turn It Upis the third film in Jason Statham’s career and first in the decade. It is a compelling hood action drama/musical that centers around an up-and-coming hip-hop artist named Diamond who seeks stardom in New York’s decorated music industry. But first, he must dissociate with certain people and detangle himself from the dangers and street life.
Throwback to Statham’s Origins
Statham has a smaller role as Mr. B, a no-nonsense gangster, in the movie, but he still manages to leave an impression with his natural charm and physicality. Surrounded by talents like Pras and Ja Rule, he held his own by complementing the movie’s energetic style and pushing the narrative forward by maintaining the suspense and intrigue.
17Ghosts of Mars (2001)
Ghosts of Mars
Pretty self-explanatory with its title,Ghosts of Marsis a sci-fi thriller set in the year 2176, where Mars has been transformed into a planet that resembles Earth in visuals and in atmosphere. Police Officer Melanie Ballard, sergeant Jericho Butler, and the rest of the team are traveling to a mining outpost when they realize that Mars is running ripe with deadly possessed creatures.
Statham’s Early Star Power
The movie isn’t as bad as it’s projected to be.Directed by John Carpenterwith his signature knack of infusing supernatural elements into an action story and ornating it with haunting imagery, intense battles, and roaring entertainment, it is a standout in the genre. As for Statham he launches into full hero mode with his intense performance as the officer who is not afraid to take risks.
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16The One (2001)
Not to confuse the premise of this one with any of the Marvel movies, despite the conceptual similarities,The Onefollows Gabriel Yulaw, a rogue agent who travels across multiple parallel universes, committed to finding and killing other versions of himself so he can become the most powerful mystical being. Statham plays the role of MultiVerse Authority Agent Evan Funsch, who is tasked with arresting Yulaw.
Statham Goes Multiversal
Co-led by Jet Li in perhaps his most diverse and commanding roles yet, Statham channels an impressive performance and showcases his combat skills inThe One. The movie is directed by James Wong, who plays around with the idea of multiverses and interdimensional travel and ratchets up the tension with metaphysical action andedge-of-your-seat plot twists.
15Transporter 3 (2008)
Transporter 3
The third and final installment in theTransporterseries marks Jason Statham’s return to the role of Frank Martin, a skilled driver who takes on odd jobs of transferring valuables for clients. This time, Frank finds himself in France to replace a friend who died delivering a package. While his business is low-key, the stakes are sky-high, and Frank must avoid murderous mercenaries and government agents to deliver the package securely.
Delivers Non-Stop Thrills
Statham effortlessly slipped back into Frank’s cool and classy role, and under director Olivier Megaton’s precise vision, the movie is infused with even more action and adventure. The locations andhigh-octane themes, the car chasesand slick fight scenes – they were all enough to keep fans of the franchise entertained. But overall, the movie took a few steps down from its predecessors.
14Revolver (2005)
ForRevolver, Jason Statham takes on the extremely gritty role of Jake Green, an unassuming man who spends seven years in solitary confinement for a crime he did not commit. After his release, he teams up with his brother and goes to a casino owned by Dorothy Macha and defeats the man in his own game, subtly threatening to topple his empire. When push comes to shove, Jake wages an all-out war against Macha and puts everything on the line.
An Absorbing Noir Thriller
Revolver is Jason Statham’s second collaboration with Guy Ritchie, with the first beingSnatch. The movie is packed with betrayals, questions about fate, stylized action sequences, and themes of trauma, which falls in line withthe director’s broader noir filmographyabout the protagonist and their obsession with bringing justice. Statham handles his character’s complex psyche brilliantly.
13London (2005)
Londonis a romantic drama directed by Hunter Richards and starring Chris Evans, Jason Statham, and Jessica Biel in the main roles. Evans plays Syd, a drug addict who finds out that his ex-girlfriend London is throwing a going-away party before moving to California with her new boyfriend. Syd decides to gatecrash the party but brings along Bateman, the banker who delivers the drugs to Syd as a favor to the dealer.
Jason Statham and Chris Evans Collaborate
Evans is the main hero inLondon, but Jason Statham is equally pivotal to the narrative because it is in his presence that the night spirals into a crazy, drug-fueled misadventure for both his and Evans' characters. Hunter Richards directs the movie at a relentless pace and allows the stars to showcase their range, even if the result is a deeply flawed movie.
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12War (2007)
Narratively similar toThe One,Warreunites Jet Li and Jason Statham for another action thriller. Directed by Philip G. Atwell in his directorial debut, it follows FBI agent John Crawford, who loses his partner Tom Lone in a shootout against Japanese yakuza because of a former CIA assassin named Rogue. Determined to avenge the death, Crawford goes on a mission to hunt Rogue, who was presumed dead but resurfaced three years later.
Statham and Jet Li Reunite
Starring opposite martial arts icon Jet Li, who plays the antagonist, Statham delivers a performance so badass it transforms War into an explosive rollercoaster. The two actors share a good chemistry with one another and keep viewers hooked to the premise, while the ingenious action choreography by Corey Yuen maximizes the stakes.It’s full of clichés, but it’s worth a watch.
11Transporter 2 (2005)
Transporter 2
InTransformer 2, the main character, Frank Martin, is pulled back into his old line of work as a transporter. He takes a temp gig as a driver for a politician’s child, where his job is to protect the boy from a drug cartel. But when the bad guys kidnap him, Frank races against time to rescue him and tries to prove he wasn’t involved in the crime.
Statham Carries the Intriguing Sequel
While revving the engine into high gear for yet another pumped-up installment of the franchise, Jason Statham makes sure there is a clever and noticeable balance between his charismatic and explosive version and the happy version he channels for the child he’s protecting. Louis Leterrier directs the movie with an icy precision where every set piece, fist fight, and chase sequence is purely entertaining.
10Chaos (2005)
Chaosbegins with a detective-turned-criminal named Jason York teaming up with four other delinquents to hold a bank hostage. York’s only demand is that Detective Quentin Conners, his former partner, handle the negotiations. Conners is forced to team up with the recently-graduated Shane Dekker, with whom he slowly develops a friendship, and they turn the tables on York.
Redefines Heist Thrillers
While it may not haveexhilarating stunts or over-the-top shootouts,Chaosis a genuinely fun and compelling (underrated, even) midnight watch for fans of the action thriller genre. It pairs Statham up with Ryan Phillippe, the rookie detective, and pits the two up against Wesley Snipes as the villain. The direction by Tony Giglio is gritty and raw but also intense and wicked. The actors turn a simple heist story into an action vehicle that establishes them as mainstays in the industry.
