When a fresh faced guy in a Chevy offered him a lift, Parker told him to go to hell.
When asked for one good reason as to why he ought to play Parker, Jason Statham, said, "How 'bout five?" And made a fist.
According to JoBlo.com, that was enough of a convincer for Hollywood.
While not a direct adaptation of Darwyn Cooke's Parker comics, we'd hope director Taylor Hackford takes a few notes from IDW's The Hunter and The Outfit. The Parker character has seen modernizations before (Mel Gibson in Payback), but this is an opportunity to take the lug back to 1962, Manhattan, further back than even Lee Marvin's portrayal in 1967's Point Blank. There's no word whether the new film will function as a period piece, but given that it'll be the first time a film adaptation uses the character's original name, we're hoping for some authenticity. We've seen Statham do early 70s tough in The Bank Job, so why not dial the Wayback another decade?
You're not gonna do much better than Lee Marvin, but I think Statham's the ideal pick for 2011.
Thanks to Cameron for the tip!
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Awesome! I’d voice my concerns about his ability to do an American accent, but I fear he’d find me.
@RapidEyeMovement In fairness, Parker doesn’t do a lot of talking.
Statham, at least to me, isn’t a good enough of an actor to play someone as subtle and nuanced as Parker.
@RazorEdge757 – I’m with you there. Is he going to wear a toupe’? How pathetic for Parker to wear a Toupe’? There are plenty of good American actors with hair to do this part.
@PaulMontgomery I want George Clooney, but that’s only because he’s awesome.
I know nothing about Parker, but I beg to differ, I think Statham does have the ability to play nuance. He’s just been too busy lately with all the action films to really show that.
is there going to be a giant 10 minute martial arts sequence in this? I agree with others…you don’t watch a Stratham movie for the acting. I could see George Clooney or John Hamn…someone a bit more classic looking and nuanced as an actor.
The film is being directed by Taylor Hackford (Ray, Dolores Claiborne). Gauge action to dramatic ratio predictions accordingly.
I don’t think there’s much nuance to Parker. He’s very direct, and while he’s clever and resourseful, he relies a lot on brute force. I think Statham will be great. I loved him in The Italian Job.
i doubt that this movie will be a period piece because that would be awesome, and hollywood rarely does things that are awesome now a days. Seriously though, having it set in the 60s just doesn’t strike me as something hollywood producers would do for a flick like this starring this actor. When you hire Statham, you are going after a very specific market. Also, i REALLY hope he just plays the part with his English accent and keeps the bald head. TAKE THAT Fanboys! 😀
Movie Rule #1000: (Which I made up) Jason Statham makes anything better.
I’m sure none of the Parker comics will be used for the adaptation but it would be nice. But I’m so in for this movie just because my favorite actor is in this.
I loved the “Bank Job”, but we are not doing mod, we are doing deco. My pics would be Jeffrey Dean Morgan, or ….oh man, here’s a thought….Misha Collins. Yes, I like Supernatural, but that doesn’t mean the actors aren’t good.
would love statham to go back to more quality badass roles like he was in Snatch. This would be a good segway for that. im all for it. the guy definately can pull off the tenacity of Parker.
Statham is awesome. I can totally see him as Parker just by appearance alone. As for hair, accent, & acting ability, I say to all the naysayers to look at a movie called Revolver where Statham gives quite possibly his best performance ever! And he has hair in the movie as well. I am so pumped for this after just finishing The Outfit. This is going to be quite awesome!
I view it as a win-win. Over the top, fun movie that may drive people to pick up the books and the comics.
This has potential to be awesome. I just hope that it becomes Jason Statham in a Parker movie, and not a Jason Statham movie about Parker.
The biggest gripe I have with Statham is that so many of his movies are the same movie with either a different “skin” on it or a sequal number at the end of the title.
Awww god, anyone but him.
@wallythegreenmonster: Good call on Hamm. He’d fit this like a glove. Clooney wouldn’t be too shabby either, but the more Hamm the better.
I’m a fan of Statham when he’s in his wheelhouse, but this isn’t exactly the role he was born for. And call me cynical and presumptous all you want, but I’d bet that he’ll have his accent and a shaved head. And I’d bet big because the odds are in my favor.
As someone who’s read all the Parker novels, NO to Statham. I like the George Clooney idea, and Hamm could be ok, but please, no Statham.
I’m going to reserve judgement until I see a trailer. It would be really cool if they set it in the 60’s. Outside of his work in Guy Ritchie films, my favorite Statham movie is still “The Bank Job,” which benefitted heavily from it’s time period.
Statham doesn’t have the hair, clooney’s not big and tough enough. I picture Parker as a mean as fuck Carey Grant. How about that big dude who dated Elaine on Seinfeld? If it’s a toss up, he who has the biggest hands, gets the nod!