Production Notes PDF - Visual Hollywood

THE MECHANIC (2011) PRODUCTION NOTESABOUT THE CASTJason Statham (Arthur Bishop)Jason Statham was born in Sydenham, England, and initially made his mark as one ofthe top divers on the British diving team, eventually placing 12 th in the world. While hetrained at the famed Crystal Palace National Sports Center in London, film crews andphotographers pursued him as new talent and he eventually met the executive producerof the film Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. Statham then had a meeting with thedirector Guy Ritchie, who gave him his first role as one the stars of the filmStatham went on to work with Ritchie again in Snatch, in which he starred oppositeBrad Pitt and Benicio Del Toro. In 1992, Statham was cast by French filmmaker LucBesson in the title of role of Frank Martin in The Transporter. Following, he starred asHandsome Rob in the 2003 summer blockbuster The Italian Job, directed by F. GaryGray, and as the adrenaline - compromised action hero of Crank. Statham went on toreprise his role of Frank Martin in Transporter 2, and re-teamed with Jet Li in War.In 2008, Statham starred in Roger Donaldson‟s The Bank Job, the critically acclaimed,true story of the 1971 Baker Street bank robbery in London. Statham also starred in theremake of Death Race, before returning for the third installment of The Transporterfranchise and the second Crank film, Crank 2: High Voltage.Most recently, Statham had a starring role with an ensemble of action stars in this pastsummer‟s hit The Expendables, also starring and directed by Sylvester Stallone. He alsorecently wrapped the action/thriller The Killer Elite, starring alongside Robert De Niro.Ben Foster (Steve McKenna)Ben Foster continues to establish himself as one of the most versatile actors of hisgeneration. His television work includes the cult hit “Freaks and Geeks” as the mentallyhandicapped student Eli and “Six Feet Under” as Russle, the bi-sexual art schoolboyfriend of Claire Fischer.In 2007, Foster had a starring role in Nick Cassavetes‟ Alpha Dog as a crystal meth--addicted skinhead. In 2008, he impressed audiences and critics alike with his inspiredportrayal of outlaw “Charlie Prince” in James Mangold‟s 3:10 to Yuma.In 2009, he starred opposite Woody Harrelson and Samantha Morton in OrenMoverman‟s critically acclaimed The Messenger. A moving portrayal of one soldier‟sjourney to re-assimilate into the civilian world after his turn in Iraq.In addition to The Mechanic, Foster has another January premiere performance in thefilm Here, for director Braden King; it‟s the first feature length, English languageAmerican film to be shot entirely in Armenia, and it‟s in competition at January‟s 2011Sundance Film Festival.Ben Foster is currently shooting a role in Rampart, reuniting him with the team ofwriter/director Oren Moverman and actor Woody Harrelson, which also marks his debut© CBS FILMS, All Rights Reserved 11