There was once a time when veteran actor Jason Statham wasn’t famous in Hollywood town. A film, released in the year 1998 ended up shaping the lives of many people that we now see today in the film industry.

The movie was going down the drain with no buyer to buy it. However, it was Tom Cruise who saved the day by calling it “the best movie ever” thus, shaping thousands of lives and creating several well-known personalities.

The main cast of Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels included Jason Statham.

How Tom Cruise saved Guy Ritchie and Jason Statham

Guy Ritchie is one of the best directors in the industry right now. Having helmed movies like Sherlock Holmes, Aladdin, and, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, he has made a name for himself. But back in 1998, there was not much recognition for the director. For Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, the director put a lot of effort into the film to happen.

A scene from Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels (1998).
It is sad to note that the film, however, wasn’t bought by any distributor. Matthew Vaughn (known for directing the Kingsman franchise) was also in on the film. He contacted one of the film’s investors Trudi Styler and asked him to contact Tom Cruise whom she knew to attend the buyer’s screening.

The buyer’s screening is something that the distributors attend for the premiere of a movie so that they may buy the rights and distribute. Tom Cruise, being Tom Cruise turned up at the screening (something that is quite unique) and watched the movie.

“This is the best movie I’ve seen in years,” said Tom Cruise

Guy Ritchie and Jason Statham reunited after 15 years for Wrath of Man (2021).
After the film ended, Tom Cruise got up and said, “this is the best movie I’ve seen in years, you guys would be fools not to buy it”. The buyers then started a bidding war for the rights of the movie which ended up in Universal Pictures, Dreamwork, and several others’ pockets.

The movie was a box-office success giving Jason Statham’s career a boost in the Hollywood industry while Guy Ritchie was acknowledged as a great director. Matthew Vaughn also found passion in directing and writing and he, later on, went on to direct the world-famous Kingsman series as well as helming X-Men: First Class.

Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels is available to stream on Prime Video.

Source: Den of Geek