Crank It Up: Jason Statham: Star! - Paperback

by Steven Gerrard (Editor), Robert Shail (Editor)

Jason Statham has risen from street seller through championship diving and modelling to become arguably the biggest British male film star of the twenty-first century. This is the first book to offer a critical analysis of his work across a variety of media, including film, television, video games and music videos. Each chapter focuses on a particular aspect of Statham's career, from his distinctive screen presence to his style, branding and celebrity. Accessibly written, and featuring a contribution from Hollywood director Paul Feig, who worked with Statham on the 2015 action-comedy Spy, the collection will appeal to a wide audience of scholars, students and fans.

Back Jacket

Actor, athlete, hot-panted dancer, Jason Statham is many things. But above all else, he is a star. Crank it up is the first book to explore the unique career of this former market trader and championship diver, who has risen to be one of the most recognisable faces in Hollywood.

This collection provides in-depth analysis of Statham's work across a range of media, including film, music videos and videogames. Presenting original ideas on stardom and celebrity, it makes the case for Statham as a postmodern phenomenon in a quickly changing media world. Individual chapters examine post-millennial British film masculinity, Statham as anti-hero, the music of Crank, Statham's clothes and how he ages throughout the Expendables franchise. There is also a personal reflection from director Paul Feig, who worked with Statham on the 2015 movie Spy.

Written in an accessible style and featuring contributions from distinguished academics such as Robert Shail, James Chapman and Clare Smith, Crank it up will appeal to students and scholars of film, celebrity, gender and social studies, as well as general readers with an interest in the man himself.

Author Biography

Steven Gerrard is Reader in Film in the Northern Film School, School of Arts, Leeds Beckett University
Robert Shail is Professor of Film and Director of Research in the School of Arts, Leeds Beckett University