Statham & Ayer Reteam on 'John Doe' for Cannes Launch
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- Jason Statham and David Ayer are reteaming on John Doe after their prior collaborations The Beekeeper ($163M worldwide) and A Working Man ($89M), with Ayer directing and Statham starring as a man with no memory, no name, and one face he cannot forget — a woman named Eliza.
- Zak Penn wrote the script, adding the blockbuster screenwriter behind Ready Player One, The Avengers, and Free Guy to a Statham-Ayer package already anchored by two of indie action's biggest recent hits.
- Miramax is producing and financing, with Statham producing via Punch Palace Productions and Paul Schiff and Penn also producing; Black Bear will introduce the project to international buyers at the Cannes market.
- Production is being lined up to begin in September 2026, giving Miramax and Black Bear a third Statham-Ayer vehicle after their previous films combined for more than $252M in worldwide grosses.
- Statham remains a major box-office draw, with his films having grossed more than $8.5BN worldwide, and his slate already includes Guy Ritchie's Viva La Madness, David Leitch's Jason Statham Stole My Bike, and Miramax's The Beekeeper 2.
Why it matters: This is the third Statham-Ayer collaboration, extending a streak that has delivered more than $252M in combined worldwide grosses for Miramax and Black Bear on independently financed action thrillers. Launching at Cannes positions the package for international pre-sales well ahead of a September 2026 production start.
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