The Beekeeper premiere: On the red carpet David Ayer and the stars of the film

Wednesday night in London’s iconic Leicester Square we could thankfully escape the bitter cold to hit a suitably yellow carpet for the premiere of The Beekeeper in Vue cinema. The high-octane revenge thriller, penned by Kurt Wimmer, is David Ayer’s homage to the action classics of the 80s and 90s, taking a retro approach to delivering slick stunt scenes against a potent mythology of a shadowy organisation called Beekeepers.

Action legend Jason Statham is one such Beekeeper, though seemingly now living the quiet life as an actual beekeeper, before the elderly woman he works for is caught up in a vicious online scam. All hell is unleashed as his character Adam Clay takes unrelenting retribution against those behind the scam. It’s a change in tone for Ayer, whose scripts such as Training Day and written and directed titles such as End of Watch operate in a far more gritty sphere, but one that offers pure escapism and bee-related puns aplenty, with the likes of Jeremy Irons, Minnie Driver and Josh Hutcherson also making welcome appearances.

While Statham only stopped for pictures, The Upcoming had the chance to hear from Ayer who relished being back in London where the film was shot. He praised Statham’s iconic action status and dedication to stunts, and commended Wimmer’s script for its mythology and depth. Ayer highlighted practical stunts over CGI and teased his next UK project with the British action star.

Taylor James discussed his role as Lazarus, praising the non-stop action and his climactic fight with Statham. He highlighted the film’s grounding in reality over CGI, the relatable scam-based storyline and the influence of classic action films on his performance.

David Witts praised the action-packed film as a fun break from darker stories. Witts highlighted the joy of playing a vastly different role from himself. He also commented on working with Statham, noting his hands-on approach and his continued success in Hollywood. Witts shared the challenges of performing stunts and the satisfaction audiences will feel seeing the villains get their comeuppance.

Michael Epp shared insights into working with Statham, and their new film’s promise of pure action and fun. He praised Statham’s professionalism and dedication on set, their rigorous fight choreography, and the film’s focus on practical effects over CGI. Epp also hinted at a Marvel project he’s involved in but couldn’t reveal details due to NDAs.

Ashley Walters, who was also in attendance at the premiere, discussed his admiration for Statham, nostalgic love for 80s and 90s action films, and his personal growth in the industry. He highlights his recent directing work for Disney, the cultural impact of his Netflix show Top Boy, and the ongoing need for diverse representation in media.

Jack Fowler expressed excitement being at the London premiere, praising Jason Statham’s acting and Hollywood success. He reminisced about 80s and 90s action films, reflected on his highlights from 2023, including DJing tours and upcoming music, and discussed the current music landscape and social media’s role. Looking ahead, he aspires to play at Coachella and values the energy of nightlife while maintaining a balance with his DJ career.

Sarah Bradbury

The Beekeeper is released nationwide on 12^th January 2024.

Watch the trailer for The Beekeeper here: