Published by Dan Zinski on ScreenRant, this news comes just two days after the action-packed film, “The Beekeeper,” starring Jason Statham, achieved an impressive feat at the global box office, crossing the $75 million mark and claiming the top spot for 2024. Directed by David Ayer, the success of this movie reaffirms Statham’s status as an action star and showcases Ayer’s storytelling prowess.
In 2023, Statham featured in four films, including “Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre,” “Fast X,” “Meg 2: The Trench,” and “Expendables 4.” Although these releases had varying degrees of success, “The Beekeeper” has emerged as a standout performer in the early part of 2024. The film garnered $31 million domestically, debuting at number one with an initial $16 million, and an additional $45 million from international markets, with China contributing $9.5 million.
“The Beekeeper” has surpassed “Mean Girls,” which currently holds the second position with $66 million, making it the highest-grossing film of the year. While Statham’s most successful franchise remains “Fast and Furious,” where he is not the headliner, there’s speculation about Sylvester Stallone possibly stepping back from the “Expendables” franchise. Notably, Statham has yet to lead a major franchise himself.
Director David Ayer has hinted at the potential for a sequel to “The Beekeeper,” noting that the first film opened the door to the world of the Beekeepers. With a solid 70% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and robust box office figures, “The Beekeeper” could evolve into a franchise for Statham, reminiscent of Liam Neeson’s “Taken” series. While the confirmation of “The Beekeeper 2” is pending, the positive reception and financial success suggest the possibility of extending the story.
Released on January 12, 2024, “The Beekeeper” is an action-thriller directed by David Ayer, featuring Jason Statham as the lead character, “Mr. Clay.” The plot revolves around Mr. Clay, a former member of the secret organization known as the “Beekeepers,” who reenters the field to seek justice for a friend affected by a phishing scam. Boasting an ensemble cast, including Emmy Raver-Lampman, Josh Hutcherson, Bobby Naderi, Minnie Driver, Phylicia Rashad, and Jeremy Irons, the film’s success positions it as a potential candidate for franchise expansion.
