Action superstar Jason Statham (A Working Man) and director Guy Ritchie (Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre) are joining forces once again for Viva La Madness, a gritty new crime thriller rooted in the same world as the novel sequel to Layer Cake. The project is set up at Black Bear with Ritchie directing and Statham starring.
Though inspired by author J. J. Connolly’s book, Viva La Madness is being positioned as a fresh, standalone film, rather than a strict sequel to Layer Cake.
The story shifts from the London-centric underworld of its predecessor to a broader, global landscape of crime: drugs, money laundering and high-stakes deals across continents. Connolly’s novel moves from Britain to the Caribbean and beyond—and the film is expected to capture that expansive feel.
With Ritchie’s distinct style—sharp dialogue, layered criminal schemes, and stylized violence—and Statham’s tough-guy presence, Viva La Madness looks primed to tap top-tier action-thriller energy. And with Black Bear handling international sales, the ambition is clearly global.
No production timeline or release date has been publicly announced yet, but insiders say the film is in early development and heading toward active production soon.
SOURCE: Variety
