Jason Statham's James Bond-Like Heist Saga Is a Free Streaming Hit

3 days ago 9

Mos Def and Jason Statham lost in Venice in The Italian Job

Published Feb 7, 2026, 7:20 PM EST

Chris is a Senior News Writer for Collider. He can be found in an IMAX screen, with his eyes watering and his ears bleeding for his own pleasure. He joined the news team in 2022 and accidentally fell upwards into a senior position despite his best efforts.

For reasons unknown, he enjoys analyzing box office receipts, giant sharks, and has become known as the go-to man for all things Bosch, Mission: Impossible and Christopher Nolan in Collider's news division. Recently, he found himself yeehawing along to the Dutton saga on the Yellowstone Ranch.

He is proficient in sarcasm, wit, Photoshop and working unfeasibly long hours. Amongst his passions sit the likes of the history of the Walt Disney Company, the construction of theme parks, steam trains and binge-watching Gilmore Girls with a coffee that is just hot enough to scald him.

His obsession with the Apple TV+ series Silo is the subject of mockery within the Senior News channel, where his feelings about Taylor Sheridan's work are enough to make his fellow writers roll their eyes.

Before cinematic universes and endless spy franchises took over multiplexes, mid-budget action thrillers like The Italian Job ruled weekend movie nights — and now one of the slickest is making a comeback on free streaming. The 2003 remake updates the classic British caper with a glossy Hollywood edge, centering on a team of professional thieves pulled back together for one last job — this time, for revenge.

The story kicks off with a gold heist in Venice that goes sideways when one of the crew betrays the rest and vanishes with the loot. A year later, the surviving members regroup to track him down in Los Angeles and pull off an elaborate plan to steal back what’s theirs. That setup may be familiar heist territory, but the execution is where The Italian Job finds its groove.

The film stars Mark Wahlberg as Charlie Croker, Charlize Theron as Stella Bridger, Jason Statham as Handsome Rob, Edward Norton as Steve Frazelli, Seth Green as Lyle, Mos Def as Left Ear, Donald Sutherland as John Bridger, and Franky G as Wrench. Long before he was headlining franchises, Statham was already radiating the cool intensity that would make him feel like a rougher, street-level cousin to James Bond. As Handsome Rob, he’s the team’s wheelman and resident ladies’ man, all sharp suits and sharper driving skills, even if he has a surprising amount of hair on that dome that we've become accustomed to.

Is There a Sequel to 'The Italian Job'?

Sadly, as of 2026, there are no more Italian Job films. Back in 2009, director F. Gary Gray spoke with Collider's Steve Weintraub about the prospects of a sequel, but those appear to have fallen by the wayside:

"You know I'd love it if they were to come up with a concept that tops the first movie. That's the goal, to make sure that whatever the sequel is that it's as inventive, as creative as the original....if not better. That's where all the energy is being spent, making sure you don't do a sequel for the sake of doing a sequel. You want to make sure you top it."

The Italian Job is streaming for free on Tubi.