Jason Statham is officially gearing up for another round of high-octane vengeance. The action star’s breakout 2024 hit The Beekeeper is getting a sequel, and now the first major new cast member has been revealed. Variety reports that Yara Shahidi—best known for her work on Black-ish, Grown-ish, and Sitting in Bars with Cake—has signed on for The Beekeeper 2 in a starring role.
The original film, directed by David Ayer, turned heads when Statham’s Adam Clay stormed through a labyrinth of corruption and betrayal, earning more than $160 million on a modest $40 million budget. Its sleeper success quickly set the stage for franchise potential, with Statham himself teasing before its release that the “beekeeping” mythology had plenty more sting to deliver.
Returning for the sequel are Statham and Jeremy Irons, with Nobody 2 filmmaker Timo Tjahjanto taking over directing duties. Kurt Wimmer, who wrote the first installment, is back to pen the script and produce alongside Chris Long, Miramax, and Statham’s Punch Palace Productions. Amazon MGM Studios will handle distribution. Production is slated to begin this fall, eyeing a potential late 2026 release.
Shahidi’s casting injects fresh energy into the franchise. While the actress is best known for her comedic and dramatic work, she has recently begun expanding into genre fare, most notably as Tinker Bell in Disney’s Peter Pan & Wendy. Her addition suggests The Beekeeper 2 is looking to expand its universe, potentially positioning her as either a new Beekeeper operative or a civilian entangled in Clay’s relentless crusade for justice. Either way, the move highlights Shahidi’s versatility and her pivot into more action-oriented territory.
Much like how John Wick expanded its universe with the High Table and The Continental, The Beekeeper 2 seems poised to deepen its own mythology. The original hinted at a shadowy world of operatives working under the “beekeeping” banner, and Shahidi’s role could be the key to unlocking new layers of that lore.
With Statham’s proven star power, Irons’ gravitas, Tjahjanto’s taste for stylized action, and Shahidi’s unexpected but intriguing addition, The Beekeeper 2 is shaping up to be one of the most compelling action sequels on the way.
