Primarily recognized as an archetypal Hollywood action hero, Jason Statham isn’t known for his villain roles – yet over the years, the genre superstar has occasionally turned to the dark side. Many of Statham’s most well-known characters toe the line between good and evil, often causing incredible destruction – even if it’s ultimately for a good cause. However, even in a career full of morally ambiguous characters, it’s possible to identify some key roles that are unequivocally villainous.

Statham has arguably had one of the most interesting paths to stardom in the entire industry. Before becoming an actor, the 56-year-old had a career as a professional diver, model, and market trader. It was this experience that inspired his casting in the cult classic Guy Ritchie movie Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels. Statham’s early roles were actually fairly action-light before he established himself as a leading player in the genre in the 2002 hit The Transporter. This set the tone for much of what was to come. However, as other roles prove, Statham’s career hasn’t been entirely built on stereotypical action heroes.

6
Mr. B
Turn It Up (2000)

Notable for being Jason Statham’s first villain role, the actor’s performance as Mr. B is let down by the film’s numerous other failings. Starring Ja Rule in his big-screen debut, the movie follows an aspiring musician as he is forced to work with local crime bosses in order to fund his debut album. In an attempt to circumvent the system, the musician helps orchestrate a heist, only to realize he’s stolen the drug dealer’s money.

…while Statham is given plenty of opportunity to threaten people and swear in his usual gruff pseudo-cockney, his character is poorly conceived and seems out of place within the movie’s New York setting

As the mysterious and violent druglord Mr. B, Statham’s character is designed to give the movie a sense of menace. However, while Statham is given plenty of opportunity to threaten people and swear in his usual gruff pseudo-cockney, his character is poorly conceived and seems out of place within the movie’s New York setting. Despite marking his first foray into antagonist territory, Turn It Up is a forgettable Statham performance.

Jasper Bagges
13 (2010)

Ordinarily, Jason Statham’s action prowess means that he is the dominant force in many movies. In 13, however, he plays a slightly more subtle and understated role – and arguably suffers for it. A remake of the French-Georgian production 13 Tzameti, the movie revolves around a complex game of Russian roulette, where wealthy spectators bet on the outcome and on who is most likely to survive.

As Jasper Bagges, Statham is a more peripheral presence in the movie than the likes of Mickey Rourke and Sam Riley. However, his character is unquestionably unsympathetic – first taking his brother out of a mental hospital in order to make him compete in the game, and then trying to steal the winnings at the end after he’s lost. Although the film boasts some entertaining twists and turns, and seeing Statham thwarted is a satisfying ending, it is ultimately too convoluted to rate as a successful thriller.

4
Agent John Crawford
War (2007)

In many ways, almost all of Jason Statham’s characters veer between good and evil. However, there are certain roles that – while having understandable motivations – nevertheless place Statham firmly in the villain column. His performance as FBI Agent John Crawford in the Jet Li movie war is a prime example. For the first half of the movie, it is assumed that Statham’s Crawford is on the side of righteousness, relentlessly hunting down Jet Li’s evil assassin, Rogue. However, in a shocking twist, it turns out that Crawford has been in the pocket of organized crime all along, and is the real villain of the piece.

War certainly delivers some impressive set pieces, while Crawford’s callous betrayal of his partner and his family marks him out as a reprehensible figure

Thanks to the combination of Li and Statham, War certainly delivers some impressive set pieces, while Crawford’s callous betrayal of his partner and his family marks him out as a reprehensible figure. However, his status suffers because of War’s overall poor quality and borderline ridiculous twist. Just as Crawford is confirmed to be the real villain, it’s also revealed that Rogue has surgically altered himself – Face/Off style. The implausibility of this plot point ultimately limits the effectiveness of Crawford’s arc.

3
Detective Quentin Connors
Chaos (2005)

Derivative of other, better cop thrillers, 2005’s Chaos is nonetheless a solid heist movie – anchored by Statham’s central duplicitous performance. In the movie’s opening, Detective Quentin Connors (Statham) and his partner Lorenz/Jason York (Wesley Snipes) are wrongly accused following the death of a hostage. While Connors is acquitted, York is fired – becoming a master thief instead. Initially, it seems like Connors and his new partner are intent on catching York and bringing him to justice. Predictably, however, there’s more to the story than meets the eye.

Having been falsely accused in the film’s opening, Connors’ eventual success is arguably quite a satisfying resolution

Much like War, Statham’s villainy in Chaos is only revealed relatively near the end of the piece. However, while his actions are understandable after the injustice he suffers early in the film, he ranks as a solid Statham villain, if for no other reason than he seems to get away with his criminality. Having been falsely accused in the film’s opening, Connors’ eventual success is arguably quite a satisfying resolution. However, the amount of death and destruction left in his wake is a clear reminder that he is still a villain.

2
Ethan Greer
Cellular (2004)

Perhaps the earliest example of Jason Statham demonstrating his full range as an actor, Cellular is an underrated thriller that once again sees Statham pull the rug from under his audience. Starring Kim Basinger and a young Chris Evans, the movie revolves around a kidnapping with mysterious motivations. Although Statham’s Ethan Greer is quickly established as the mastermind behind the operation, his character only becomes more compelling as the story unfolds.

Like other villains in Jason Statham’s career, Greer is a corrupt member of law enforcement. However, unlike other examples of this archetype, he is both a more compelling personality and situated within a more effective story. This combination helps Ethan Greer rank as one of the best villains in Jason Statham’s career to date.

1
Deckard Shaw
Furious 7 (2015)

Although subsequent movies have converted Deckard Shaw from a villain to an antihero, there’s no doubt that his full debut in Furious7confirms him as the best villain of Jason Statham’s career. Following directly from the events of Fast & Furious 6, the movie follows Shaw’s revenge arc as he seeks retribution on Dominic Toretto’s crew for putting his brother Owen into a coma. This setup becomes the catalyst for one of the best-received Fast and Furious movies to date.

It’s testament to the success of Statham’s performance as Shaw that the character has gone on to feature in several more Fast and Furious movies – including his own spinoff. Although his villainy has been muted, he is a genuinely menacing presence in Furious 7 – becoming one of Toretto’s crew’s most dangerous opponents to date. Although his thirst for revenge is a relatively uncomplicated motive, the character’s popularity confirms that Deckard Shaw is easily Jason Statham’s best villain so far.