He looks dangerous and hard, right down to the core, but you would be surprised that he is a lot cooler in real life! Here are things you would love to know about our action hero!😍
- He is a great football and chess player.
He occasionally plays for the US football club Hollywood United FC, a team founded in the 80s by Sex Pistol's guitarist Steve Jones and some of his famous British ex-pat friends. Vinnie Jones, a former international footballer, also plays on the LA team. Statham also plays the mentally challenging game of chess. He has a longstanding rivalry with film-producer Guy Ritchie, with the two often playing on set. According to Statham, Ritchie is no match for him and even owes him money from past losses.
- He does most of his own stunts!
Our guy not only looks kicks-ass but straight up does the ‘ass-kicking’ himself!
Most of our favourite Jason Statham films contain unbelievable stunts and intense fight scenes that Statham has performed himself. He has been quoted as saying, that not doing his stunts, feels like cheating the audience, and is also often concerned about stunts looking fake if too much CGI is used. Some of the magic that he’s managed to pull off includes hanging off a balcony fifty stories above the ground and the climactic helicopter fight at the end of Crank, where he was balanced on a helicopter above LA, with only a thin wire in case he fell.
- Fake it till you make it!
Following in his father’s dodgy footsteps, he was hustled fake perfume and jewellery as well as a few items that “fell” off the back of a truck (hint hint, nudge and wink) but they landed him his big break. Guy Ritchie was looking for authentic characters and fresh faces when he asked Statham to sell him some fake jewellery as part of an audition. Richie walked away with the goods and Statham with an acting role!
- Made Playboy history!
In 2008 Statham earned urban legend status after being kicked out of the Playboy mansion after attending one of Hugh Hefner’s iconic parties!
Although there may be more to the story, legend says the actor got kicked out for refusing to pose for a photo with the Playboy bunnies, resulting in him being escorted out by no less than five bouncers!
1. The shimmiest shimmy!
One of the coolest things we’ve seen, also living rent-free on our minds, is an oily, leopard-skin speedo clad and gyrating Jason Statham on Shamen’s Comin’ music video! Before he was The Transporter or THEE Jason Statham, he specialised in the ‘shimmy’.
Which of these fun facts is your favourite?
Catch our Sunday Night Movie action every week on M-Net or catch up on DStv. You can also find us on @mnetmovies on Twitter and @MNet on Facebook or @mnettv on Instagram.