Jason Statham has kicked so much onscreen ass in his fifteen-year film career that the British actor’s name is now synonymous with an entire sub-genre of action film. And in an interview on Monday, for his upcoming action thriller Homefront, which was scripted by his Expendables pal Sylvester Stallone, the martial arts master told us that he does not think stunt-heavy action flicks should be considered separately from the cinematic fare celebrated by critics and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
“If you look at what the movie business is all about,” Statham told us, “it’s about people paying money to go and be entertained. It doesn’t matter what flavor [of entertainment]. Some people say, ‘Oh that movie’s no good.’ Well it might not be good for you but a lot of people love this film. That’s what I think. Sometimes I think critics have to be a fan of the genre they’re reviewing to criticize fairly. It’s like having someone who’s only listened to rock music review a country album. It’s not going to be his flavor so he’s going to say it’s not good.”
Increasingly over the past few years, Statham’s stunt-minded industry peers have been choreographing an offscreen battle with the Academy over whether their craft deserves Oscar recogition. Jack Gill, legendary stunt coordinator and long-time proponent of a stunt-related Oscar category, argued last year that their craft has both the artistic and scientific merit that Academy rules require for a category. When we asked Statham whether he agrees that his fellow stuntmen should be recognized by the voting body, he agreed.
“I think it is an overlooked category,” Statham told us, especially considering “how much responsibility these coordinators have for some of the greatest entertainment in action movies. I mean, all of the stunt men—these are the unsung heroes. They really are. Nobody is giving them any credibility. They’re risking their necks. And then you’ve got poncy actors pretending like they’re doing [the stunts].”
“For me,” he continued, “it’s a total injustice. They’re the ones getting busy. Then you have some guy standing in front of a fucking green screen screwing his face up pretending like he’s doing the stunt. To me, it’s like a farce. I have a real frustration with that because I know these coordinators. I train with them all the time and they are incredibly talented.”
Check back next week for our full interview with Statham about Homefront, out in theaters November 27. Until then, enjoy the trailer below.
