Jason Statham

The Beekeeper (2024)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Jason Statham as Adam Clay stands against a yellow backdrop. He wears a beekeeping uniform, without the helmet, and is surrounded by bees. He is looking determinedly off to the right of the image. In the bottom left of the image in white text is written ‘Miramax a beIN Media Group and Paramount company’.

The Beekeeper (2024) © 2023 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures

Director: David Ayer
Starring: Jason Statham, Josh Hutcherson, Jeremy Irons, Emmy Raver-Lampman
Production Company: Cedar Park Studios, Miramax
Kent Locations Used: Castle Farm & Lower Austin Lodge, Kingsferry Bridge

The Beekeeper (2024) follows Adam Clay, a former operative of a secret organisation known as The Beekeepers.  After his friend falls victim to scamming by a phishing company, he sets out to exact revenge.

Directed by David Ayer (Suicide Squad, End of Watch), the film stars Jason Statham (Crank, Redemption (2013)) as Adam Clay, Josh Hutcherson (The Hunger Games, Bridge to Terabithia) as Derek Danforth, Jeremy Irons (The Mission (1986), Waterland (1992)) as Wallace Westwyld and Emmy Raver-Lampman (The Umbrella Academy, Central Park) as Agent Verona Parker.

Production visited Kent to film at Castle Farm & Lower Austin Lodge, which doubles for Mrs Parker’s (Phylicia Rashad) cottage and beekeeping farm. Filming also took place on the Kingsferry Bridge, involving a vehicle being driven off the bridge into the Swale Estuary below.

Set in a picturesque, unspoilt farmyard nestled into a valley of trees and arable fields sits Lower Austin Lodge, a Grade II listed 16th Century farmhouse complete with original features and a modern renovated interior. A popular filming location, it is part of the Castle Farm estate – set within 1,200 acres of land with varied landscapes, it includes lavender fields, hop gardens, apple orchards, bluebell woodlands and meadows. It is particularly popular for photoshoots and music videos but has also played host to Road Games (2016).

The Kingsferry Bridge is a combined road and railway bridge that links the Isle of Sheppey to mainland Kent. The bridge isn’t as busy as it once was since the new Sheppey Crossing was built next to it, and therefore can potentially be closed for filming. Too Close (2021), Kiss Me First (2018) and Silent Witness Series 26 (2023) feature the Kingsferry Bridge.

The Beekeeper (2024) will be released in UK cinemas on Friday 12th January 2024.

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map. 

Redemption (2013)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Hummingbrid Film Poster - actor in a tux in front of city lights at night, Hummingbird is written in neon blue lights

Redemption (Hummingbird) Film Poster © Lionsgate/IM Global

 

Director and writer: Steven Knight

Starring: Jason Statham, Agata Buzek, Benedict Wong, Vicky McClure

Production Company: IM Global, Shoebox Films

Kent Locations: Dartford Crossing – QEII Bridge

Redemption is an action thriller film about ex-Special Forces officer Joey (Jason Statham) who returns to London from the Afghan war and finds himself homeless. After assuming another man’s identity and becoming lost in alcohol, drugs and criminality, Joey tries to turn his life around with the help of a nun, Sister Cristina (Agata Buzek).

The film is directed and written by Steven Knight (Locke, Peaky Blinders) and stars Jason Statham (Snatch, Crank), Agata Buzek (Valerie, Lena), Benedict Wong (Prometheus, The Martian) and Vicky McClure (Broadchurch, This Is England).

The Dartford Crossing – QEII Bridge features in Redemption twice – when Joey drives a van across the bridge and when a lorry approaches the toll.

Dartford is a historic town situated close to London and home to one of Europe’s largest shopping centres. The area has previously been used as a film location by Children in Need – The Rickshaw Challenge (2015), Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010) and Wasp (2003).

Redemption was released in cinemas in June 2013 and is now available for DVD purchase.

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map. 

 

The Bank Job (2008)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Jason Statham standing behind an open train door staring away from the camera

Jason Statham in The Bank Job © Lionsgate Films

Writer: Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais

Director: Roger Donaldson 

Production Company: Mosaic Media Group , Relativity Media, Skyline, Atlas Entertainment, Omnilab Media

Kent Filming Locations: The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Starring Jason Statham (The Italian Job, The Transporter) and Saffron Burrows (Boston Legal, Enigma), The Bank Job is inspired by true events. When Martine, an attractive model from Terry’s old neighbourhood, offers information on a bank, Terry finds that it is too tempting to resist.

By tunnelling their way into the bank, the crew not only walked away with a jackpot of over £3 million, but more importantly, stumbled upon scandalous Royal secrets. Almost as soon as the daring heist hit the headlines, the government fearing the release of the uncovered secrets put in place a gagging order that has shrouded the true nature of this crime for over thirty
years.

The Historic Dockyard Chatham provided the ideal double for a London railway station of the 70’s, as well as the post office scene in the closing stages of the film.

Set over 80 acres, The Historic Dockyard Chatham contains over 100 Georgian and Victorian buildings as well as cobbled streets and dock spaces. The Historic Dockyard Chatham is a poplar location for filming having previously featured in Rustom (2016), Downton Abbey (2013) and The World is Not Enough (1999).

The Bank Job was released in cinemas on 29th February 2008 and is now available on DVD.

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map.