Jason Statham has spent decades tackling high-speed chases, explosive fight scenes and physically demanding roles, and he has no plans to slow down.
Even after years of injuries and near misses, the action star says he plans to continue doing his own stunts and pushing his limits with each new project.
Talk to BBC News at the premiere of his latest film, Shelterthe 58-year-old actor explained that taking risks has always been part of the way he approaches his work.
“There were a lot of stunts where I went too far,” Statham admitted, saying his commitment sometimes came at a price.
He explained that injuries often lead to moments of regret, adding that when things go wrong, “you wonder, ‘Why did I do that, why didn’t I get a stuntman to do it?’ »
Over the years, these choices have left their mark.
Statham shared that he had injured his neck and other parts of his body several times, saying these experiences reminded him of the risks involved.
However, he shows no sign of backing down. With what he describes as a ‘in for a penny, in for a pound’ attitude, Statham believes his hands-on approach is what keeps his performances authentic.
“I love getting in front of the camera and doing whatever I can,” he said, explaining that years of training have given him the confidence to handle complex action sequences on his own.
Although he admits age has changed things slightly, he remains optimistic about his fitness.
“I’m not that old,” he joked, adding that although he’s less “jumpy” than he was at 25, he’s still very much in the game, helped by “a lot of physio.”
Shelter sees Statham playing a former assassin turned back to violence after saving a young girl, with the film veering more into thriller territory than his usual action-heavy roles.
One particularly demanding scene involved a deep-sea rescue, which he described as a physical punishment, particularly when he was swimming underwater in heavy clothing and boots.
With several films scheduled for release in 2026, including Mutinya sequence of The beekeeperAnd Viva La Folie with director Guy Ritchie, Statham looks set to continue raising the bar and do it himself.
