Three titans of British cinema are set to reunite for a major new gangster film, promising a loud and patriotic return to form. Director Guy Ritchie will once again helm a project starring Jason Statham and Vinnie Jones in the hotly anticipated 'Viva La Madness'.
A Powerhouse Reunion Decades in the Making
The collaboration marks a significant comeback for the trio, who first worked together on Ritchie's iconic 2000 crime caper Snatch. According to reports, filming for the new project is scheduled to commence within the next few weeks, with former footballer and actor Vinnie Jones confirmed as the latest major name to join the cast.
Jason Statham, 58, will take on the central role originally made famous by Daniel Craig in Matthew Vaughn's 2004 cult classic, Layer Cake. The film is an adaptation of writer J.J. Connolly's sequel novel of the same name. A source close to the production emphasised that while it continues the story, 'Viva La Madness' will be a standalone production.
Plot Details and Cinematic Promise
While the full plot is being kept under wraps, the source material provides clear direction. The story follows the anonymous London cocaine dealer known only as X, played by Statham. Having left his criminal life behind for a tranquil existence in the Caribbean, X finds his peace shattered by the arrival of two troublesome British gangsters on the island.
An insider told The Sun: 'Guy is thrilled to be back at the helm. And to have Jason on board, as well as Vinnie, is going to make for cinematic gold.' They added, 'This project feels so brilliantly British. It's going to be loud, fast and unapologetically patriotic. Jason and Vinnie are so brilliant together on screen.'
Vinnie Jones's Triumphant Return
For Vinnie Jones, 60, this role continues a remarkable career resurgence and a personal comeback. Discovered by Ritchie, who cast him as a brutal debt collector in 1998's Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Jones has since appeared in nearly 100 films.
His return to the spotlight follows a period of profound personal tragedy after the death of his wife of 25 years, Tanya, in 2019. In the years following her passing, he stepped back from film work. He has since rebuilt his life and career, most recently starring in the Netflix series The Gentlemen, a spin-off of Ritchie's 2019 film, where he plays gamekeeper Geoffrey Seacombe.
Jones has spoken openly about his grief, stating previously: 'Losing Tanya has been the worst thing that's ever happened to me and her family and friends, but I don't want her loss to be in vain.' His involvement in Viva La Madness signals a full and powerful return to the big screen alongside his original cinematic collaborators.
