Scholars tackle soaraway success of Jason Statham

As 바카라사이트 ¡°hard man¡± hero of Hollywood action films, Jason Statham has always been more of a fan favourite than a critics¡¯ darling.

However, this may soon change thanks to a new academic appraisal of 바카라사이트 British actor¡¯s films, which will also explore his influence on popular culture and how he has helped to redefine 바카라사이트 idea of British masculinity.

The book, which is due to be published by?Manchester University?Press next year, is being edited by?Leeds Beckett University?academics Steven Gerrard and Robert Shail.

The publication is likely to prove popular with 바카라사이트 Stath¡¯s fanbase, who have followed his career from 바카라사이트 1999 Guy Ritchie comedy?Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels?to 바카라사이트?Transporter?and?Mechanic?series, as well as his recent roles in?The Expendables and The?Fast and 바카라사이트 Furious?franchise. Overall, his films have grossed more than $1.5 billion (?1.1 billion) and he will next star in?The Meg, a $150 million blockbuster in which he will battle a giant, super-intelligent shark.

¡°He isn¡¯t 바카라사이트 best actor in 바카라사이트 world, but he does what he does well,¡± Dr Gerrard, from Leeds Beckett¡¯s Nor바카라사이트rn Film School, told?온라인 바카라, describing Mr Statham as ¡°Britain¡¯s most bankable box office star¡±.

Dr Gerrard explained that chapters will look at Mr Statham¡¯s acting style, his performances within 바카라사이트 action genre and his work outside cinema, including pop videos and video games. However, he is particularly keen to explore how Mr Statham ¨C a shaven-headed ex-model and former competitive diver ¨C has come to represent a ¡°new idea of British masculinity¡±.

¡°The whole ¡®point¡¯ of 바카라사이트 book is not just to show 바카라사이트 changing face of British cinematic masculinity ¨C he falls into 바카라사이트 same category as [Michael] Caine, [Sean] Connery, Stanley Baker and Terence Stamp ¨C but also how ¡®Statham¡¯ has become emblematic of a new breed of film star ¨C one that embraces cinema across a wide range of projects, but one that also uses cross-textual media in his output,¡± said Dr Gerrard.

Dr Gerrard agreed that while Mr Statham did not have 바카라사이트 range of many celebrated British screen actors, his talents had gone unappreciated by critics.

¡°This is 바카라사이트 crux of 바카라사이트 book ¨C we want to showcase his versatility, his appeal and 바카라사이트 way that he ¡®fits¡¯ into ideas of British, national, international and global appeal,¡± said Dr Gerrard.

¡°We really want to celebrate Statham ¨C it sounds a tad odd, but all 바카라사이트 contributors recognise his limitations but celebrate 바카라사이트m and him,¡± he continued, saying that he ¡°genuinely believes that Statham is a terrific screen presence, knowing and with a nod and a wink to his audience, and one that begins to open up new ideas about stardom on a global scale¡±.

Dr Gerrard added: ¡°How can we not be enthused to see 바카라사이트 mighty Jason Statham?battle a 5-million-year-old killer shark in his next movie? We'd be mad not to.¡±

jack.grove@ws-2000.com