With Jason Statham’s new action movie Levon's Trade set to release on March 28, 2025, we’re taking a look back at the film that first made him famous: Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998).
This British crime-comedy, directed by Guy Ritchie, follows a group of friends who find themselves in deep trouble after a high-stakes poker game goes wrong. Eddie (Nick Moran) ends up owing a huge sum of money to a dangerous criminal and, with the help of his friends, must steal a rare gun collection to pay it back.
Statham played "Bacon," a tough, street-smart character who’s part of the plan. Before acting, Statham had no film experience, but he was spotted by Guy Ritchie while he was trading jewelry on the street. Ritchie was impressed by his tough persona and decided to cast him.
One of the most memorable scenes features Bacon in a street trade, where he improvises his lines. He says, "You got a light?" and when the other character responds, "I don’t smoke," Bacon casually replies, "Well, you should. It’s good for your health." This spontaneous moment added a natural, gritty feel to the film.
Although his role was small, Statham’s performance stood out, leading to bigger opportunities in Ritchie’s Snatch and Hollywood films like The Transporter. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels not only became a cult classic but also marked the beginning of Statham’s successful career in action films.
