Katrina joined ScreenRant as a news writer in 2024, covering box office, expert interviews, exclusives, and new releases. Her work has appeared in CBR, All About Jazz, Rising Artists, and numerous other publications. She has an MFA in Creative Writing and has published more than 20 books. She currently writes for ScreenRant’s movie features team.
Jason Statham and Mark Wahlberg are both known for starring in blockbuster action movies, but they rarely share the screen. In fact, there’s only one instance where they worked together as co-stars.
23 years ago, Statham and Wahlberg teamed up in an action remake of a classic British comedy crime caper. Directed by Peter Collinson, the original 1969 movie starring Michael Caine was a box office flop in the US mostly due to misleading marketing, but over time, it gained a devoted cult following and is now regarded as one of the best heist movies from the 1960s.
In 2003, Wahlberg took over from Caine as the mastermind of theft in the American remake and led a talented team of thieves on a journey of vengeance after being betrayed in Venice, Italy. While Wahlberg’s version differentiates itself significantly in plot, setting, and tone, the movie achieved both commercial and critical success and was initially scheduled to receive a sequel.
Due to internal changes, politics, and indecision around the script, the planned follow-up didn’t materialize in the 2000s, but the charming heist remake didn’t fade into history.
23 years later, Statham and Mahlberg’s The Italian Job is ready to steal the spotlight again in the streaming age. After topping the charts on Netflix, it has now joined Pluto TV’s active roster as part of the platform’s November lineup. Fans can now stream the heist movie online for free.
Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, Jason Statham & More Shine In The Italian Job
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Image via Paramount</figure>
The 2003 American remake has a star-studded cast that features some of the most recognizable faces in the action/thriller genre. Donald Sutherland plays John Bridger, a master safe cracker and Charlie’s (Mark Wahlberg) mentor. Charlize Theron plays John’s daughter, Stella Bridger, who followed her father’s path and became a safe cracker. Meanwhile, Edward Norton takes on the role of the movie’s main antagonist, Steve Frezelli, who betrayed the team and killed John during the gold heist in Venice.
The chemistry of the ensemble is part of what makes the 2003 Italian Job so memorable. From Wahlberg’s ambitious and witty team leader to Yasiin Bey’s (formerly known as Mos Def) dangerous but quiet explosive expert, the dynamic team sees a group of unlikely anti-heroes bond together through grief and their shared passion for crime and vengeance.
The movie is also one of the rare occasions where Statham doesn’t play his usual gritty action hero role with dry humor and minimalistic dialogue. The Italian Job shows the actor’s laid-back and playful side and finds him as “Handsome Rob,” the team’s primary wheelman and a smooth-talking ladies’ man, whose hobby is driving fast cars. The movie ranks high among all Jason Statham’s action movies.
The Cars Steal The Show From The Cast In The Italian Job
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Image via Paramount</figure>
Like many action-heist flicks, The Italian Job doesn’t lack flashy fleets, but three Mini Coopers arguably steal the show from the cast. While the classic Mini was already a prominent feature in the 1969 classic, the 2003 American remake took it one step further.
There were 32 Mini Coopers used in the production of the movie. F. Gary Gray actually revealed in an interview (via Behind the Stunt) that they didn’t use any special effects in the movie. All the stunts were performed live in front of the cameras. Because cars with combustion engines weren’t allowed in the underground tunnels, they built the first electric Mini the world had ever seen specifically for the subway scene.
The three Mini Coopers (red, blue, and white) also became woven into the film’s visual DNA. From Stella’s car to the mighty beast small enough to fit into subway tunnels and perform demanding tasks in a high-stakes chase while carrying 900 pounds of gold, the Mini Coopers have transformed their roles from being props to stars in The Italian Job.
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The Italian Job Is A Worthy Movie Remake
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Image via Paramount</figure>
The Italian Job sets itself apart from the British original. In addition to a strong ensemble cast and relatable characters, the remake takes viewers on an emotional roller coaster that never has a dull moment. The movie currently holds a solid 80% Rotten Tomatoes score from viewers and a 73% approval rating from critics.
Film critic Roger Ebert gave the heist movie a three-out-of-four-star rating when it was released in 2003 and admitted that “it provides a reminder that we do, after all, sometimes go to the movies just to have a good time and not to be mired in a slough of existential despond.”
While Ebert is less enthusiastic in singing its praises, the reviewer at BBC didn’t hold back and pointed out exactly how F. Gary Gray’s remake won fans’ hearts: “The culminating ‘big job’, with a trio of Mini Coopers incongruously zipping through LA gridlock, has all the audacious mischief of its progenitor.”
More than two decades later, The Italian Job is as charming as ever. It has successfully managed to stand the test of time. Even among today’s action movies, its brisk pacing and clever plot twists still stand out.
What’s Happening With The Italian Job Sequel?
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Image via Paramount</figure>
The Italian Job was a big hit in 2003, grossing $176 million worldwide. Because of its success, Paramount initially planned a sequel titled The Brazilian Job to match the momentum. A full script had been written to feature the same heist crew. Only this time, they’d be stealing diamonds in Brazil. The studio even had a budget set aside for filming, but after the American remake’s release, Paramount went through four studio heads over the span of five years. The Brazilian Job was never realized.
For a long time, the star-studded heist movie was forgotten by the studios, but 23 years later, there seem to be some new developments. With its inclusion on multiple streaming platforms, The Italian Job experienced a surge of interest in mid 2026 and briefly surfaced on Netflix’s Top 10 chart. In September 2026, Deadline reported that The Housemaid‘s director Paul Feig was in early talks with Paramount Pictures to direct a follow-up to the 2003 heist movie.
They are reportedly on the hunt for writers, though there’s no word yet on the plot or casting. It’s unclear at this point whether the rumored sequel would star the same ensemble cast or revisit The Brazilian Job‘s premise.
Source: Roger Ebert, BBC, Behind the Stunt, Deadline
The Italian Job
A skilled team of thieves seeks vengeance by planning a heist to reclaim a stolen gold fortune from a former ally. Using a trio of Mini Coopers, they navigate through the streets of Los Angeles, dodging the police and traffic to pull off the ultimate payback against the man who betrayed their former boss.
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