Guy Ritchie andJason Stathamhave made several movies together, beginning their professional partnership way back in 1998 withLock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels. From there,the pair have worked together several timeson movies that often have very similar styles and themes: they’re dark, gritty thrillers where Statham brings his signature stoicism to Guy Ritchie’s consistently witty scripts. But their most recent collaboration,Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre, didn’t quite receive the acclaim that it deserved. It may not beGuy Ritchie’s best movie, but it comes close to the rest of his filmography in several ways.
Statham is best-known for his all-out action roles in franchises likeFast & FuriousorThe Expendables, so it’s always a pleasant surprise when Ritchie gives him an opportunity to tone it down somewhat in his standalone movies. His latest project was a perfect example of this, but it still failed both critically and commercially. DespiteOperation Fortune’s great twistand intelligent plotting,audiences failed to connect with the filmin the way that’s usually a shoo-in for Ritchie’s projects.
Why Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre Is An Underrated Statham & Ritchie Movie
There’s Much To Enjoy About The Film
WhileOperation Fortunedoesn’t come close to the heights of either Ritchie’s or Statham’s filmographies, there’s still plenty about the film to be enjoyed. Firstly, it’s one of the director’s strongest attempts at comedy in recent years. Richie’s films are usually very dark and gritty, with mature themes and brutal action that place them firmly in the ‘not-for-kids’ category. And whileOperation Fortuneis still rated R, it’s much more comedic and lighthearted than expected.There are plenty of jokes and running gagsthat make it an incredibly fun viewing experience from start to finish.
When Will Operation Fortune Release On Streaming?
Lionsgate’s Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre premiered exclusively in theaters on March 3 – but when will it be available to stream at home?
Additionally,Operation Fortunefeatures some brilliant performances that expertly balance the tightrope between self-aware and over-the-top. Hugh Grant is the pinnacle of this, giving an excellent blend of comedy and drama in his eccentric character of Greg Simmonds. The film also features some of thebest scenes in Jason Statham’s career, as he also delivers a fun performance that’s totally unlike the characters he usually plays.It’s this subversion of expectations that makesOperation Fortuneso much fun to watch, and both Ritchie and Statham are fully aware of this quality.
How Jason Statham & Guy Ritchie Movies Have Fared At The Box Office
The Pair Don’t Have The Most Stable Track Record
Neither Ritchie nor Statham is a stranger to box office success, but they’ve both had their fair share of bombs too. Ritchie’s biggest commercial success came in 2019 with the Disney remake of Aladdin, which brought in roughly $1.054 billion worldwide - buthis recent outings have been far less successful, with projects such asGuy Ritchie’s The Covenantonly gathering $21.9 million (viaBox Office Mojo). The director has an unusual blend of huge successes and massive bombs that rank him among the most unpredictable filmmakers in the business.
Statham’s career is equally unpredictable, starring in some of the highest-grossing movies of all time likeFurious 7(which earned $1.515 billion worldwide), but equally appearing in several commercial failures.
Statham’s career is equally unpredictable, starring in some of thehighest-grossing movies of all timelikeFurious 7(which earned $1.515 billion worldwide), but equally appearing in several commercial failures. WhileOperation Fortunedidn’t quite make as much money as it should have, it’s far from Statham’s worst box office performance. His movieWild Cardonly made $6.7 million, while 2005’sRevolverturned in $7.2 million.
Will Jason Statham & Guy Ritchie Make Another Movie Together?
There Don’t Seem To Be Any Plans In Place Currently
Neither Statham nor Ritchie currently have any formal plans to make another movie together, but that doesn’t mean it’s entirely out of the question. Some of their best projects have been collaborations between the two, so it would be very surprising if neither had any desire to work together again. That being said,Statham likely won’t be appearing in Ritchie’s upcoming movieIn The Grey, which is set for release in January 2025 and features Jake Gyllenhaal, Henry Cavill, and Rosamund Pike. In fact,Guy Ritchie’s next movie will battle against Statham’sat the box office.
If Ritchie and Statham are going to work together again in the future, it will mostly likely happen during the director’s upcomingWife & Dogproject, which will take place in the same universe asThe Gentlemen. This would be a perfect stylistic fit for Statham, as his absence from the original was a big surprise in the first place.Guy Ritchie has many projects in development, but this definitely seems like the most likely place for Statham to make an appearance.
Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre
Cast
Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre follows special agent Orson Fortune and his team as they enlist a famous Hollywood actor for an undercover mission. Together, they must prevent the sale of a deadly new weapons technology that threatens global stability. Released in 2023, the film is directed by Guy Ritchie.
