David Cronenberg’s gritty crime thriller Eastern Promises came out nearly 15 years ago and now a follow-up is in the works with Jason Statham being eyed to star.
Statham is circling Small Dark Look, a film set in the same Russian mob world as the acclaimed 2007 film that starred Viggo Mortensen. Danish filmmaker Martin Zandvliet, who was nominated for a best foreign film Oscar for his drama Land of Mine, is now on board to direct. Steven Knight, who also penned Eastern Promises, is also back to pen the script. Story details are being kept under wraps but it’s expected to expand on the world explored in Eastern Promises.
Statham is very interested in the project and the powers that be are very interested in Statham but scheduling still needs to be worked out. The actor has suddenly become quite busy as he has several films on his docket for 2021, including a reteaming with Guy Ritchie for an untitled thriller, a sequel to the aquatic monster movie The Meg, and a possible Hobbs & Shaw 2, among others. Can never hurt to be this in demand as an actor, particularly one that has one real specific, but fun skill set.
A sequel or follow-up has been in the works to Eastern Promises almost since the original was released. In the intervening years, both Cronenberg and Mortensen, who received a Best Actor Oscar nomination for his performance in the film, have moved on. Landing Statham would truly move the project forward and it looks like that will happen, it’s just a matter of logistics.
