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In the realm of action films, actor Jason Statham has solidified his status as a prominent figure, with notable roles in blockbusters such asThe ExpendablesandThe Meg. At one point, Statham even headlined his own thrilling franchise. However, due to salary disputes, the acclaimed actor was forced to bid farewell to his beloved series. Statham’s involvement inThe Transporterfilms, where he portrayed the charismatic anti-hero, Frank Martin, offered audiences an exhilarating ride. However, theories ofTheTransporterhaving a connection with the 2004 Tom Cruise movieCollateralsoon began doing rounds.
According toThe Numbers, the franchise amassed an impressive $315,536,842 at the box office. The first installment, directed by Luc Besson, featured Statham in the lead role after a serendipitous encounter with the renowned filmmaker. For years, speculation had circulated about a potential connection between Statham’s character inTransporterand Tom Cruise’s character in the filmCollateral.
READ MORE:‘It’s the Best Movie I’ve Ever Seen’: How Tom Cruise Launched Jason Statham, Guy Ritchie, and Matthew Vaughn to Become Hollywood Top Stars by His Love for Cinema
ACollateralinsider confirmed the theories surrounding the connection withTransporter
Recently, Stuart Beattie, the screenwriter ofCollateral, confirmed these theories, revealing that indeed,Jason Statham’sFrank Martin andTom Cruise’scharacter coexisted in the same cinematic universe. However, Beattie acknowledged that some individuals involved in the production preferred to keep this connection under wraps.
When asked about the link in an interview withDark Horizons, Beattie stated,“Absolutely Frank Martin of Transporter. I asked Jason about that… Yeah, absolutely. Yes, it’s canon. Same world… the studio will never admit to that, but in my head, absolutely it’s him.”
Hinting at the famous $10 billion worth production studios Paramount Pictures, Beattie’s answer revealed that after all the fans were right all the time. This revelation might bring out a sense of excitement among fans of both franchises, who have long speculated about the possibility of a shared universe. However, despite the confirmation from Beattie, it seems unlikely that the studio will officially acknowledge the connection betweenThe TransporterandCollateral.
READ MORE:After Initially Refusing Top Gun, Val Kilmer Was Replaced by Marvel Actor in Tom Cruise’s Underrated $220M Action Thriller With Fast X Star Jason Statham
Jason Statham’s Collateral cameo explained
The unexpected cameo of Jason Statham in the filmCollateralback in 2004 left fans with intriguing questions. A neo-noir action thriller directed by Michael Mann,Collateraltook place over the course of a single night with Tom Cruise in one of his most iconic roles as Vincent, a relentless hitman navigating the streets of Los Angeles. Whereas, in the originalTransportertrilogy, Jason Statham portrayed the meticulous and methodical Frank Martin, a freelance driver known for completing shady deliveries for questionable clients.
The intriguing connection betweenCollateralandTransporterarose from a brief encounter between Tom Cruise’s character, Vincent, and Jason Statham’s character in the opening scene of the former. While walking in a crowded airport, the two actors deliberately isolate themselves from the crowd, exchanging apologetic gestures and sharing a significant glance before parting ways. Fans who had seen the first “Transporter” film, released two years prior to “Collateral,” immediately speculated whether Statham’s appearance hinted at Frank Martin delivering another package. However, there are several factors that suggest otherwise.
Firstly, the entirety ofThe Transporterseries is set in Nice, France, with Frank Martin’s relocation to Miami only occurring inTransporter 2, released a year after the Los Angeles-basedCollateral. Additionally, Frank exclusively transports packages by vehicle and avoids any direct contact with them, except in cases where a package is a person in distress. Lastly, Statham is credited simply as “Airport Man,” further diminishing the likelihood of a direct connection between the two characters.
READ MORE:“He told me to p*ss off”: Brad Pitt Refused to Work With Tom Cruise in $107M Thriller That Later Went to Henry Cavill Instead
Nevertheless, some arguments were made in favor of the cameo serving as a nod to a potential shared criminal network between Frank Martin and Vincent. The significant payment and the full bag exchanged between the characters inCollateralmight suggest a lucrative job that may have warranted Frank’s trip from France to Los Angeles. After all, both characters possess similar skill sets and professionalism, and Vincent’s mission in LA to eliminate witnesses and a prosecutor could be seen as an assignment fitting for the world’s best transporter.
Source:Showbiz CheatSheet,Screen Rant
Devyani Sharma
Articles Published :288
With a portfolio of over 600 articles, Devyani Sharma is a freelance writer working in the Entertainment and Sports niche. With a Master’s Degree in English literature, Devyani places great importance on the power of words and their ability to connect with readers. When not busy watching sci-fi movies, action thrillers and comedies, Devyani indulges in her love for fiction novels and writing about NASCAR races.
