Statham For Layer Cake 2

Jason Statham is to take the lead role in the follow-up to Layer Cake, taking over from Daniel Craig.

Statham and his manager and producing partner Steve Chasman have acquired the rights to J.J. Connolly's novel Viva La Madness, Deadline reports.

As with the 2004 original, Connolly is now adapting his novel into a screenplay.

Statham will play Craig's nameless character, who was last seen trying to survive a gunshot wound in Layer Cake.


Viva La Madness follows the anti-hero as he tries to find somewhere to retire. However, he soon becomes involved with a trans-Atlantic drug deal, money laundering and fraud.

It is not known if Craig was approached to reprise his star-making role, but given Statham's involvement in purchasing the rights to the novel, I'd assume not.

No release date has been set as of this time.