Guy Ritchie and Jason Statham are joining forces once again — this time for Viva La Madness, an upcoming action-thriller that marks their sixth collaboration. Variety has confirmed that the project is officially in development, with Ritchie set to write and direct and Statham leading the cast. The film is based on J.J. Connolly’s cult novel of the same name but is being described as a stand-alone original feature rather than a direct sequel to Layer Cake, despite sharing its literary roots.
Ritchie and Statham: A Partnership Forged in British Crime Cinema
The creative partnership between Guy Ritchie and Jason Statham has been one of British cinema’s most enduring collaborations. Their cinematic journey began in the late 1990s with Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and continued with Snatch — two films that redefined the tone and texture of contemporary British gangster storytelling.
Since then, the duo has reunited on projects like Revolver, Wrath of Man and Operation Fortune, blending sharp wit, kinetic editing, and tough charisma. Now, with Viva La Madness, Ritchie and Statham are returning to their roots — a darkly comic, high-energy world of crime and deception that made them international icons.
About the Viva La Madness: A Stand-Alone Crime Epic
Although Viva La Madness draws inspiration from Connolly’s 2011 novel — itself the literary sequel to Layer Cake — the film will not serve as a continuation of Matthew Vaughn’s 2004 hit starring Daniel Craig. Instead, Ritchie’s film is being envisioned as an entirely new interpretation of Connolly’s universe, built around the same sharp dialogue, moral ambiguity, and underworld intrigue that defined the books.
The plot remains tightly under wraps, but the novel centers on an anonymous London drug dealer known only as “X,” who becomes entangled in global crime syndicates, Caribbean hideouts, and high-stakes betrayals. With Ritchie’s signature style and Statham’s commanding screen presence, Viva La Madness is expected to bring a slick, modern sensibility to the British crime genre.
Production Details and Team Behind the Film
The project has been initiated by Jason Statham and producer Thomas Benski, who are collaborating through their respective banners — Punch Palace Productions and Lumina Studios. Guy Ritchie and his longtime collaborator Ivan Atkinson will produce under Toff Guy Films, alongside John Friedberg for Black Bear, which is also handling international sales. Production is slated to begin in January 2026, with Statham currently the only confirmed cast member.
From Literary Legacy to Global Spectacle
J.J. Connolly’s novels have long been celebrated for their sharp prose and authentic depiction of Britain’s criminal underbelly. Layer Cake (2000) was adapted into a critically acclaimed 2004 film by Matthew Vaughn — a movie that not only marked Vaughn’s directorial debut but also became a career-defining moment for Daniel Craig, paving his way to James Bond.
Its follow-up, Viva La Madness (2011), expanded Connolly’s world beyond London’s borders, weaving a tale of drug deals, financial scams, and moral ambiguity across continents. By choosing to adapt this material as a stand-alone film, Ritchie seems poised to merge his stylish visual storytelling with Connolly’s gritty authenticity, crafting a global crime thriller that still feels distinctly British at heart.
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