British actor Jason Statham has made quite a name for himself in the action over the last couple of decades, as the lead heavy in films like Crank and The Transporter trilogy of the 2000s, and making numerous appearances in the films of director Guy Ritchie (The Man from U.N.C.L.E.). Statham has become such a powerful action movie presence of late that he has even been included in Sylvester Stallone's ensemble film series The Expendables alongside fellow past and contemporary genre icons Arnold Schwarzenegger, Dolph Lundgren, Terry Crews, and Steve Austin.

Statham has also seen fit to lend his decided presence to other films of lighter thematic fare, including director Paul Feig's action-comedy spoof Spy from last year. But Statham has always been at his best in movies that allow him to bring his physical presence to bear in taut action set pieces, which makes the announcement of the upcoming franchise sequel Mechanic: Resurrection a cause for celebration.

In the first official trailer for Mechanic: Resurrection featured above, Statham is back in action as auto-repair hitman Arthur Bishop, following the events of the 2011 remake of the original 1972 film that starred Charles Bronson in the same role. The footage released serves to paint quite the thrilling portrait of all the mayhem soon to come from the new film directed by German filmmaker Dennis Gansel (The Fourth State), as Statham is forced to come out of retirement and contend with a dangerous new enemy played by Tommy Lee Jones (Criminal) - with some unforeseen twists along the way.

Mechanic Resurrection teaser poster header

Whether or not fans of the original film of 2011 will be eager to return with Statham to the world of notorious hitman Arthur Bishop remains to be seen, though it is more likely than not that Statham will be bringing his A-game to the role once more. Statham has yet to deliver a performance in an action film that has come up short of his decided abilities in the genre, and with any luck Mechanic: Resurrection will be further evidence of his abilities.

Come the theatrical release of Mechanic: Resurrection later this summer, moviegoers around the world can decide for themselves whether or not Statham's latest action franchise is worthy of successive installments or not. Either way, Statham will probably provide a performance in keeping with his estabished pedigree as a premiere action movie star.

Mechanic: Resurrection will see theatrical release in the U.S. on August 26, 2016.