David Ayer and Jason Statham’s latest collaboration goes beyond the relentless action. The director and actor reunited forA Working Man, a feature film adaptation ofChuck Dixon’s popular novel,Levon’s Trade. The story follows Levon Cade, a former military officer turned construction worker who gets roped back into the game when his boss’s daughter is kidnapped.
A Working Manputs anexpected emphasis on the ground and pound, as Statham’s Levon takes out his enemies with reckless abandon, but the kills come with a purpose. Ayer made a point to establish an emotional core to the film to give Levon’s mission a sense of stakes and urgency.
ScreenRantspoke with Ayer about why it was important forA Working Manto have “believable characters” infused with “some soul” and whata possible sequel could have in storefor David Harbour’s character in particular.
A Working Man Pushes For “Believable Characters” With “Some Soul”
“When you can ground it, it’s just an amazing cocktail…”
While audiences show up toA Working Manfor the high-octane action, David Ayer hopes they stay for the “characters' hearts.”
“That’s everything for me. It’s all about character. It’s all about the characters' hearts, and Jason is so good at playing this everyman, this kind of guy next door with a troubled past,“Ayer toldScreenRant.“To give him an emotional motivation, to give him this adopted family that’s taken care of him that he can then return the favor and take care of, I mean, that’s the movie for me.
“Look, I’m not going to lie, I love the action and I love the fights and I love all that,“Ayer continued.“But when you’re able to ground it with believable character and some soul, then it’s just an amazing cocktail.”
If the heart and soul are the secret ingredients to theA Working Mancocktail, the main spice comes in the fisticuffs department. As evident by the promotional footage, Statham gets down and dirty as Levon Cade, arguably his most violent role to date.
“I may have,“Ayer said when asked if he set the record for most on-screen Statham kills inA Working Man.“There’s definitely quite a few. He gets busy for sure.”
Does Ayer Have Plans For A Working Man Sequel?
“I’d be curious, he may have some unfinished business…”
Even with that high volume of bodies to his name, Levon’s work might not be done. Dixon’sLevon’s Tradeis just the first in a series ofLevon Cadestories, which leaves Ayer with an abundance of source material to pull from should the project warrant becoming a franchise.
“I’d be curious to see where Levin goes from here,“Ayer teased.“He may have some unfinished business, so there may be something there.”
Characters that warrant fleshing out go beyond the titular “working man” as well.A Working Manfeatures David Harbour as Gunny, Levon’s former military colleaguewho lives a quiet and secluded lifeaway from the action.
“I love working with David. He is such a strong actor. He gets on set and then you forget it’s him,“Ayer said of Harbour.“I mean, he really transformed himself in this, so I think the opportunity to see Gunny get back into the swing of things might be interesting. Or maybe there’s a prequel. Who knows?”
