Warning: Major spoilers for A Working Man ahead! In the latest cinematic offering by Jason Statham, titled A Working Man, the character Levon Cade showcases his resilience. This film, adapted from Chuck Dixon’s Levon Cade series, follows the ex-military operative as he embarks on a mission to save his boss’s abducted daughter. This project reunites Statham with director David Ayer, following the successful collaboration on The Beekeeper, which grossed over $162 million. The film is rich in intense action sequences combined with Statham’s signature humor.
A Working Man aims to launch a new franchise for Statham, concluding with a heartening resolution. Levon saves the hostage, Jenny (played by Arianna Rivas), and rekindles his relationship with his estranged daughter. However, a lingering threat exists, as the Russian gangsters he confronts may regroup for revenge, leaving the door open for potential sequels. It’s noteworthy that the film diverges significantly from its literary source, Levon’s Trade, where the conclusion is markedly darker.
The Next Installment: Levon’s Night – Plot Insights
A Potential Die Hard-like Sequel for Jason Statham
Custom Image by Milica Djordjevic
In the original Levon’s Trade, Cade is detached from Jenny, who tragically dies shortly after her kidnapping. His journey takes a dramatic turn as he escapes with his daughter, Merry, from a powerful Russian criminal faction. The sequel, Levon’s Night, sees the duo hiding in a remote Maine village when a group of mercenaries arrives in search of a stolen fortune, leading to a desperate battle for survival.
While Levon’s Night takes longer to establish its premise compared to the taut narrative of its predecessor, it remains a gripping thriller filled with suspense. The antagonists present a formidable challenge, and the snowy backdrop adds a refreshing atmosphere. If a sequel to A Working Man emerges, adapting this next chapter could be an excellent decision. It holds the potential to grant Statham his very own Die Hard situation, a scenario the seasoned action star has yet to tackle in his career.
Exploring More Adventures in Chuck Dixon’s Levon Cade Series
The Expanding Universe of the Levon Cade Series
Sylvester Stallone serves as both co-producer and co-writer for A Working Man, having maintained the rights to the Levon Cade series for years. Initially intended as a television project, it was transformed into a feature film tailored for Statham. Should A Working Man achieve sufficient success, it paves the way for further adaptations, with a staggering 12 books already published in the Levon Cade saga, including the latest entry, Levon’s Scourge, released in 2024.
The narrative of each book often leads into the next, with Levon’s Night concluding on a note that keeps Levon and Merry on the move, having escaped with loot from their enemies. The following installment, Levon’s Ride, follows Levon as he grapples with further complications and theft of his resources. This pattern continues in Levon’s Run, emphasizing that trouble is an ever-present companion for Cade.
Differing from the mix of resolution and chaos in Levon’s Trade, the film adaptation A Working Man provides a moment of respite for Levon and Merry. However, considering the chaotic aftermath of their adventures, the idea of contemplation becomes plausible, as Levon may still choose to seek a quieter existence away from looming threats.