You Won’t Believe Jason Statham’s Favorite Movie!

by

It’s no wonder that Jason Statham admires Paul Newman, given his affinity for portraying characters who challenge authority. Famous for embodying rebellious roles such as the defiant title character in the iconic 1967 prison drama film “Cool Hand Luke”, Newman has achieved legendary status. In a 2008 interview with Rotten Tomatoes, Statham revealed three of his favorite films, among them being “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” (1969), where Newman played Butch Cassidy, the Wild West outlaw, alongside Robert Redford’s portrayal of the Sundance Kid.

The impact of “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” on Statham’s career aside, this film’s lasting popularity and historical relevance are hard to overstate. Initially met with mixed reactions, it became the top-grossing film of 1969, earning six Academy Award nominations. Of greater significance, “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” marked a pivotal moment in the New Hollywood era while also serving as a heartfelt farewell to the classic Western period led by Howard Hawks and John Ford. Nearly 55 years after its debut, this film has risen above the Western genre to be cherished as one of the all-time favorite films.

Paul Newman and Robert Redford Are a Perfect Team in ‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid’

Paul Newman and Robert Redford were at distinct stages of their acting careers when they first appeared together in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. At this time, Newman, who was a decade senior to Redford, had already established himself as a prominent Hollywood figure, earning Academy Award nominations for his roles in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Cool Hand Luke, and Hud. In contrast, Redford was relatively new to feature-film stardom, having only recently achieved it with his role opposite Jane Fonda in the 1967 romantic comedy hit, Barefoot in the Park. Yet, their on-screen chemistry in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid was so strong that they seemed more like brothers than contemporary Hollywood stars.

In the movie “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” the on-screen chemistry between Newman and Redford is amplified by how perfectly their characters – Newman’s quick-witted, fast-talking outlaw Butch Cassidy and Redford’s more subdued gunslinger Sundance Kid – complement the actors’ individual acting abilities. As Butch and Sundance embark on a spree of bank and train robberies in the Wild West, director George Roy Hill skillfully juxtaposes the playful atmosphere created by Butch and Sundance’s humorous exchanges with an underlying sense of danger, as the powerful posse of lawmen chasing them seems almost supernatural in their relentless pursuit.

Similar to Sam Peckinpah’s 1969 Western movie The Wild Bunch, which came out around three months prior, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid portrays outlaws who refuse to change or repent, struggling within a world that is rapidly evolving. As they hold onto the final remnants of their gun-slinging days, the encroaching industrialization makes the transforming Western scenery they inhabit feel like a cemetery. Despite the opportunity to escape to Bolivia and begin anew, the allure of adventure and criminal activities proves too tempting for them to abandon. The inescapable destiny of these characters results in one of the most poignant, heart-wrenching, iconic endings ever seen on screen.

Paul Newman Is Jason Statham’s Favorite Actor of All Time

Jason Statham often compares himself to Paul Newman, stating that Newman is the actor he has drawn the most inspiration from. Similar to Newman, Statham developed a popular screen persona by portraying characters who pursue justice in unconventional ways, as seen in movies like “The Beekeeper” and “Wrath of Man.” Just as Newman wasn’t afraid to make fun of himself, as demonstrated in the cult 1977 hockey comedy film “Slap Shot,” Statham poked fun at his action-hero image with the role of an over-the-top secret agent in the 2015 action comedy film “Spy.

In a contrast that might seem unusual, Paul Newman’s exuberant character in “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” appears quite different from Jason Statham’s usual reserved demeanor. However, the clever planning and execution of heists evident in “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” can be seen mirrored in the meticulous robbery scenes displayed by Statham’s character Terry Leather in the 2008 film “The Bank Job”. Despite this similarity, one significant distinction between the two actors lies in their on-screen partnerships: while Paul Newman had a strong chemistry with Robert Redford in both “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” and their subsequent film, the classic 1973 caper movie “The Sting”, Jason Statham has largely maintained a solo image throughout his acting career.

Statham Has Great Taste in Movies

Apart from “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” Jason Statham also mentioned Newman’s “Cool Hand Luke” and “The Sting” among his top five favorite films in an interview with Rotten Tomatoes. Regarding “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” Statham shared his thoughts on it as well.

One film I always enjoy revisiting is “Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid.” I could watch it a hundred times over, and it never fails to entertain me. The chemistry between Paul Newman and Robert Redford is simply outstanding – their performances are truly captivating.

On Statham’s priority list, which encompasses the 1972 gangster epic film The Godfather, lies the 1973 martial arts movie Enter the Dragon. Much like how Statham’s martial arts skills have significantly impacted his career, Statham attributes his inspiration for becoming a big-screen action star to Bruce Lee, who starred in Enter the Dragon. Upon watching Enter the Dragon for the first time, Statham stated:

As a young child, posters of Bruce Lee adorned my older brother’s room. Unfortunately, I hadn’t reached an age where I could watch the movie. However, once I managed to sneakily borrow and play a VHS tape, it felt like discovering something truly revolutionary – ‘Wow, this man [Bruce Lee] was so innovative, light years ahead of his era.’ This experience had a profound influence on my life.

Read More

2025-07-06 19:34