The sequel to last year's Jason Statham action film, The Beekeeper, has a new director and a revised release date. David Ayer, who helmed the original, will not be returning for the follow-up but remains optimistic about its development. The Beekeeper 2 is now scheduled to arrive in theaters on January 15, 2027.
Timo Tjahjanto, known for his work on the gory action film The Night Comes for Us, has taken over directing duties for The Beekeeper 2. Umair Aleem is penning the script, replacing original writer Kurt Wimmer. Despite the change in creative leadership, Ayer expressed his continued interest and confidence in the project.
"I'm very excited about it and I'm confident that it will be an amazing movie, as Jason Statham is an incredible actor to work with," Ayer told Polygon. He noted that while he has not yet seen any footage from the sequel, he is eager to see how it turns out.
The original The Beekeeper, released in January 2024, featured Statham as Adam Clay, a retired operative seeking revenge after his neighbor, an elderly woman, is defrauded by a phishing scam. The film was noted for its strong revenge narrative and particularly brutal action sequences, including one where Clay ties a dismembered antagonist to a car and drives it off a bridge. First looks at The Beekeeper 2 suggest the sequel will continue this trend of intense violence, with one scene reportedly showing Clay igniting a flamethrower inside someone's mouth.
Ayer, who also directed films such as Fury and Suicide Squad, previously collaborated with Statham on A Working Man, which is set for release in 2025. The Beekeeper 2 marks a departure for him from the franchise he helped establish, but he appears to be anticipating its success.