Jason Statham’s movie output has largely been a series of identikit films, with the plot slightly changing but the action and The Stath’s character largely staying the same. However Hummingbird may be something a little different, showing his softer side.

The movie sees him an ex-Special Forces soldier who tries to avoid a court martial, but ends up homeless on the streets. He attempts to reinvent himself by breaking into a rich businessman’s apartment, but soon finds himself dragged back into the criminal underworld.

The movie is the feature film directing debut of Steven Knight, who’s best known for writing Eastern Promises and Dirty Pretty Things, which certainly suggest this will be more of an acting challenge for Statham than normal.

For the last six months or so, Eastern Promises screenwriter Steven Knight has been putting together Hummingbird, which he wants to be his directorial debut (well, he helmed a few episodes of the Jasper Carrot sitcom The Detectives in the early 90s, but that doesn’t count).

The film’s just got a little closer to happening as Variety reports that Jason Statham has signed up to star. He will play a former Special Forces solider who’s gotten involved in London’s grimy criminal underworld. However he wants out and when he gets the chance to take a identity, he embraces it and becomes an avenging angel looking to take down wrongdoers.

Knight hopes to shoot the movie early next year, between lucrative assignments punching up Hollywood scripts (he’s done work on everything from Wrath of The Titans to The Lost Symbol).

General movie news courtesy of Movie Muser