Guy Ritchie and Jason Statham‘s long-standing relationship is set to extend to a sixth feature film, with the two reuniting for the action-thriller “Viva La Madness,” Variety can confirm.
The film — the plot for which is being kept under wraps — is based on J.J. Connolly’s novel and the author’s sequel to “Layer Cake,” which was adapted into the acclaimed 2004 cult crime drama. However, the film is being billed as a stand-alone, original feature and not a sequel, spin-off or continuation of any previous adaptation of Connolly’s work.
“Viva La Madness” was initiated by Statham and Thomas Benski (“Gangs of London”), who are producing via Punch Palace Productions and Lumina Studios, alongside Toff Guy Films. Black Bear is also producing and handling international sales on the film, which it’s launching at the upcoming American Film Market.
Production is set to kick off in January 2026, with Statham currently the only cast member attached and Ritchie set as writer and director. Producers include Statham for Punch Palace, Benski for Lumina Studios, Ritchie and Ivan Atkinson for Toff Guy Films, John Friedberg for Black Bear. While nothing has been confirmed, the recent expansion of Teddy Schwarzman’s Black Bear into U.S. distribution would see the company a likely candidate to release the film domestically.
The darkly comic book “Viva La Madness,” following an anonymous London drug dealer known as X and filled with sex, scams, narcotics and dirty money, was originally published in 2011.
The original “Layer Cake” movie — based on Connolly’s 2000 novel of the same name — marked the directorial debut of Matthew Vaughn, who produced Ritchie and Statham’s hit gangland breakout “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” and its spiritual successor “Snatch.” Critically acclaimed for its cool style and fast-paced editing, “Layer Cake” was led by Daniel Craig, in a role that reportedly helped lead to his casting as James Bond in 2005, and also served as a breakout for Sienna Miller.
A “Layer Cake” sequel with Ritchie and Statham attached has been in talks for well over a decade, with Statham reportedly set to play Craig’s character in initial reports that date back to 2013.
Having launched his career with “Lock Stock,” Ritchie has recently returned to his British crime land roots in recent years with titles such as “The Gentlemen” and its Netflix spinoff series, the Paramount+ show “MobLand” and upcoming title “Wife & Dog.” Alongside “Lock Stock” and “Snatch,” his work with Statham spans the films “Revolver,” “Wrath of Man” and “Operation Fortune.”
