Summary
The Beekeeperhas the potential to be Jason Statham’s version of theJohn Wickfranchise, but the first movie did make it a bit tougher for that to come to fruition. The success of Keanu Reeves' action movies has inspired countless copycats over the last several years. While Jason Statham is already established as an action movie star, he did not have his own ongoing hitman franchise when he signed up forThe Beekeeper. The original action film is not quite as direct of aJohn Wickclone as other modern movies, but it still borrows quite a bit.
Hopes thatThe Beekeepercould become a major new franchise for Jason Statham skyrocketed following the film’s box office performance. It made $152 million worldwide, nearly double what the firstJohn Wickmade. That establishes a stronger chance thatThe Beekeeper’s endingwill not be the last time audiences see Statham play Adam Clay, even if a sequel has yet to be officially announced.IfThe Beekeeper 2happens, there is one issue with the franchise that it needs to overcome to rivalJohn Wick.
Why Adam Clay Retired From The Beekeepers In Jason Statham’s Action Movie
Adam Clay is an enigmatic protagonist in The Beekeeper, with the mystery around his character key to potentially expanding the franchise.
The Beekeeper Didn’t Set Up An Assassin Underworld As Well As John Wick
The Established Lore Is Limited
One of the many strengths of the originalJohn Wickis how well it set up the basics of its assassin underworld. The Continental hotel, John Wick’s past, multiple assassins, and key elements and rules of this world were all established within the first movie. This proved great for the franchise’s future, asJohn Wicksequels could build on what was already established and flesh out several details. It became quite easy to imagine how Reeves could return as John Wick and expand the world based on what the first movie established, butThe Beekeeperwas not as successful there.
The Beekeepertook a different approach thanJohn Wickby focusing even less on worldbuilding. There is an introduction to The Beekeepers organization and a brief establishment that there are other Beekeeper agents. However, the future of Adam Clay is not as clear. He killed the only other Beekeeper agent confirmed to be active, leaving Statham’s franchise in a spot where it is not established that other assassins could come for him. The result wasThe Beekeeperhad many unanswered questionsas the focus stayed on the action and entertainment. It falls short ofJohn Wickin that regard.
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The Beekeeper 2 Needs Better Worldbuilding To Give Statham A Long-Running Franchise
The Sequel Can Flesh Out The Franchise
Jason Statham as Adam Clay final confrontation in The Beekeeper (2024)
It would be inThe Beekeeper 2’s best interest to explore the lore and history of this universe better.John Wick: Chapter 2did this in some significant ways, expanding the depths of the underworld with the Bowery King’s organization, adding the blood oaths, and increasing the number of assassins at odds with Wick.The Beekeeper 2could do a much better job of exploring whatThe Beekeepers organizationactually is, how they operate, Clay’s backstory, and the state of other hired guns. IfThe Beekeeperwants to be as big asJohn Wick, fleshing out this world is necessary.
