Jason Statham and Guy Ritchie start filming new crime film Viva La Madness in London February 2026

Filming has started for "Viva La Madness" in London, the 6th movie from Jason Statham and Guy Ritchie. The cast includes Vinnie Jones, Ben Foster, and Camila Mendes.
By Newsroom | Film, Entertainment |

Production has begun on "Viva La Madness," a new crime thriller that marks the sixth collaboration between actor Jason Statham and director Guy Ritchie. While the project is based on author J.J. Connolly's novel and shares thematic similarities with Ritchie's 2004 film "Layer Cake," reports indicate it is a standalone film and not a direct sequel. The film has assembled a notable cast, including Vinnie Jones, Ben Foster, Jason Isaacs, Babs Olusanmokun, Camila Mendes, and Jonny Lee Miller.

Jason Statham looks every inch the hard man as he reunites the crew for sequel to London crime thriller Layer Cake - with Camila Mendes as a gangster's moll - 1

The production's commencement signals the culmination of plans that have been in development for over a decade. "Viva La Madness" is set to explore international crime, focusing on themes such as trans-Atlantic drug deals, money laundering, and high-tech electronic fraud. Statham is also serving as a producer on the project.

Jason Statham looks every inch the hard man as he reunites the crew for sequel to London crime thriller Layer Cake - with Camila Mendes as a gangster's moll - 2

Timeline of Developments and Castings

The concept of a film based on J.J. Connolly's novel "Viva La Madness" with Jason Statham and Guy Ritchie involved has been discussed for many years.

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Jason Statham looks every inch the hard man as he reunites the crew for sequel to London crime thriller Layer Cake - with Camila Mendes as a gangster's moll - 3

  • May 2015: News emerged of Jason Statham's long-held desire to star in a sequel to "Layer Cake," based on the novel "Viva La Madness." Plans indicated production might begin the following year.

  • October 2025: Reports confirmed that Jason Statham and Guy Ritchie were reuniting for a crime thriller titled "Viva La Madness." This was described as a "sort-of-sequel" to "Layer Cake" and marked their sixth film together. Statham was noted as a producer.

  • January 2026: Further confirmation of the project's progression, with Vinnie Jones announced to be joining Statham and Ritchie. Production was slated to begin in the coming weeks.

  • February 2026 (Recent Weeks): Production officially commenced in London for "Viva La Madness." Details about the extensive cast were revealed, including Jason Isaacs, Babs Olusanmokun, Camila Mendes, Ben Foster, Jonny Lee Miller, and Raúl Alejandro. Several of these actors have prior collaborations with Ritchie.

Core Narrative and Thematic Elements

"Viva La Madness" is an original crime thriller, though it draws thematic and narrative threads from J.J. Connolly's work.

Jason Statham looks every inch the hard man as he reunites the crew for sequel to London crime thriller Layer Cake - with Camila Mendes as a gangster's moll - 4

  • Source Material: The film is based on the novel "Viva La Madness" by J.J. Connolly. This novel is described as a continuation of the story from "Layer Cake," featuring an anonymous protagonist, "X," who is trying to retire from a life of crime.

  • Plot Outline: According to the book's synopsis, "X" is hiding in the Caribbean but plans a return to London. Upon arrival, his associates become entangled with a Venezuelan drug cartel over a sensitive package.

  • Thematic Shift: While "Layer Cake" was grounded in the London underworld, "Viva La Madness" reportedly shifts the focus to international crime.

  • Key elements include: Trans-Atlantic drug deals, money laundering, and high-tech electronic fraud.

  • Ritchie's Style: The film is expected to align with Guy Ritchie's established style, characterized by fast-talking dialogue, intricate plots, and a blend of gritty realism and dark humor, often referred to as "classic Ritchie chaos with a fresh edge."

Ensemble Cast and Key Collaborations

The production has secured a diverse ensemble of actors, many of whom have worked with either Statham or Ritchie previously.

  • Lead Role: Jason Statham plays the central character, "XXXX," a drug kingpin. This marks his return to a role reminiscent of his character in "Layer Cake."

  • Returning Collaborators:

  • Guy Ritchie: Directing and co-writing the screenplay with Connolly. This is their sixth film together.

  • Vinnie Jones: A frequent collaborator with both Statham and Ritchie, appearing in films like "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" and "Snatch." This marks Jones' fifth collaboration with Ritchie.

  • Ben Foster: Co-starred with Statham in "The Mechanic."

  • Babs Olusanmokun: Previously worked with Ritchie on "The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare."

  • Jonny Lee Miller: Appeared in Ritchie's war thriller "The Covenant."

  • New Additions:

  • Camila Mendes: Known for "Riverdale" and "Palm Springs."

  • Jason Isaacs: Known for "The White Lotus" and the "Harry Potter" franchise.

  • Raúl Alejandro: Making his feature film debut.

ActorKey Collaborations with Ritchie/StathamRole in "Viva La Madness"
Jason StathamDirector/Producer (6th film together), "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels," "Snatch," "Revolver," "Wrath of Man," "Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre"Lead (Drug Kingpin XXXX)
Vinnie Jones"Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels," "Snatch," "Mean Machine," Netflix's "The Gentlemen" (5th film with Ritchie)Role details not specified
Ben Foster"The Mechanic" (with Statham)Role details not specified
Jason Isaacs(No prior credited collaborations with Ritchie/Statham)Role details not specified
Babs Olusanmokun"The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare" (with Ritchie)Role details not specified
Camila Mendes(No prior credited collaborations with Ritchie/Statham)Gangster's moll
Jonny Lee Miller"The Covenant" (with Ritchie)Role details not specified
Raúl Alejandro(No prior credited collaborations with Ritchie/Statham)Feature film debut

Production and Financial Aspects

"Viva La Madness" is currently in production in London. The film is being produced by several entities.

  • Production Companies: Black Bear, Lumina Studios, and Toff Guy Films are involved.

  • Producers: Guy Ritchie, Ivan Atkinson, Jason Statham (through Punch Palace), Thomas Benski (Lumina Studios), and John Friedberg (Black Bear) are credited as producers.

Relationship to "Layer Cake"

The connection between "Viva La Madness" and the 2004 film "Layer Cake" has been a point of discussion, with varying descriptions in reports.

  • Standalone Film: Multiple sources emphasize that "Viva La Madness" is a standalone film, not a direct sequel to "Layer Cake."

  • Thematic and Novelistic Link: The film is based on a novel by J.J. Connolly, which serves as a sequel to his "Layer Cake" novel. This connection likely informs the thematic resonance and the return of the "XXXX" character, played by Statham, who was a significant figure in the original film.

  • Statham's Role: Jason Statham reprises a role similar to the one he played in "Layer Cake," a drug kingpin. This casting choice amplifies the association with the original film.

  • Daniel Craig's Original Role: Daniel Craig starred as the lead in the original "Layer Cake." Statham's involvement in "Viva La Madness" as the central figure appears to fill a similar narrative space.

Expert Analysis and Industry Observations

Industry reporting highlights the significance of this reunion and the assembled cast.

"Jason Statham looks every inch the hard man as he reunites the crew for sequel to London crime thriller Layer Cake - with Camila Mendes as a gangster's moll." (Daily Mail)

"Viva La Madness promises to be a must-see for fans of the action star and the Lock, Stock director." (Movieweb)

"With cameras rolling and this cast locked in, Viva La Madness seems like it could end up being classic Ritchie chaos with a fresh edge." (GeekTyrant)

Conclusion and Implications

The production of "Viva La Madness" represents a significant undertaking, bringing together key talent from the British crime genre. The reunion of Jason Statham and Guy Ritchie for their sixth film, coupled with an extensive cast of both established collaborators and new faces, suggests a project with considerable anticipation. While officially described as a standalone film, its thematic links to "Layer Cake" and Statham's return to a kingpin role solidify its place within a lineage of stylish British crime narratives. The film's exploration of international criminal enterprises indicates an expansion of the thematic scope from its predecessor. The confirmed start of production and the detailed casting offer a clear signal of the project's progression.

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Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When did filming for "Viva La Madness" start?
Filming for "Viva La Madness" officially began in London in the last few weeks of February 2026. The project has been in development for over ten years.
Q: Who is starring in the new Guy Ritchie and Jason Statham movie "Viva La Madness"?
The movie stars Jason Statham, Vinnie Jones, Ben Foster, Jason Isaacs, Babs Olusanmokun, Camila Mendes, and Jonny Lee Miller. Jason Statham is also a producer.
Q: What is "Viva La Madness" about?
The film is a crime thriller based on J.J. Connolly's novel. It explores international crime, including drug deals, money laundering, and high-tech fraud. It is a standalone film but shares themes with Ritchie's "Layer Cake."
Q: Is "Viva La Madness" a sequel to "Layer Cake"?
No, "Viva La Madness" is a standalone film. However, it is based on a novel that continues the story from "Layer Cake" and features Jason Statham in a role similar to his character in the 2004 film.
Q: Where is "Viva La Madness" being filmed?
The movie is currently being filmed in London. Production started in February 2026.