(Photo: Getty Images)
Writer-director Guy Ritchie has once again recruited go-to collaborator Jason Statham to star in his latest action flick. Statham is set to take on the role of special agent Orson Fortune in the forthcoming Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre, premiering on March 17. 

Let’s do some digging as to why Statham is so good at playing a spy:

1. He’s proven himself an action star.  

Statham made his feature film debut in Ritchie’s Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels in 1998. And, from there, it’s been action, action, action. We’ve seen him in a number of flicks, including The Transporter franchise (2002-2008), 2011’s The Mechanic, and 2019’s Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw.
He’s played a field agent before, starring in the 2015 action-comedy Spy, opposite Melissa McCarthy. Spies come in all forms. 

2. He does his own stunts.

He takes pride in doing his own stunts. In the above interview with Lakeshore Entertainment, he says, “There’s a great reward about achieving something like that and doing it yourself.” He prefers that viewers see him on-screen, tackling dangerous situations, rather than calling on a double or a green screen. 
After all, a spy has a very regimented job description and being hands-on is a requirement.

3. He has the athletic prowess.

One of the reasons he’s trusted to do his own stunts is because of his sports background. He was a member of Britain’s National Diving Squad prior to his acting career. He talked about the experience with IGN, saying, “It teaches you discipline, focus and certainly keeps you out of trouble.”
All three of those qualities help make a good spy.  
4. He’s fearless.

While he enjoys doing his own stunts, he also considers it a challenge. When talking to IGN, he explains his motivation, “I’d do more if they let me. I’ve never really been frightened to do anything.” But, there are times when he's pulled back because of safety issues. It sounds like he's set healthy boundaries. 
The spy game calls on self-assurance and good judgment. 
5. He has street smarts.

He doesn’t just talk the talk, he walks the walk. He learned a lot of what he knows early on in life. In an interview with Esquire, he shares a story about being a teenage hustler, saying, “I’d sit down outside of Harrods and I’d pitch the jewelry.” He describes his technique as “selling it with a bit of theater.”
He may just be able to pull off being a spy off-screen as well.
6. He has an affinity for fast cars.

Statham has a collection of luxury cars. The folks over at Motorius have put together photos of Statham with his cars, including him in an Audi R8, Jaguar E-Type, Lamborghini Murcielago LP, Porsche 911 GT2, Aston Martin DBS, and Jaguar XJR.
No wonder he can handle an automobile on-screen, as part of his spy duties.
7. He’s genuine.

Ritchie helped launch Statham’s acting career, which he elaborates on in an interview with Esquire, saying, “He just wanted someone who was authentic. He said, ‘I’m gonna get some one from f**king drama school to do this? How can they learn what you’ve learned?”
His performances are believable, as he calls on his true nature. And, a spy, genuinely believes they know best. 
8. He has the temperament.

Statham has a good sense of humor and a lightness about him. But he also has a prickly side. Ritchie acknowledges he’s seen it, saying to Yahoo!, “He’s grumpy, and he’s one of the few grumpy people that doesn’t annoy me in any way.”
It’s an attitude that translates to the screen when playing a spy.
9. He’s loyal.

Ritchie keeps looking to Statham as an actor, and Statham keeps saying “yes” to the offers. In an interview with Rotten Tomatoes, Statham talks about collaborating with Ritchie, saying, “It’s been a long ol’ journey. If we didn’t enjoy ourselves like we did, I don’t think we would’ve succeeded like we have.”
A spy can’t really trust anyone, but that’s very isolating. It’s good to have at least one confidant.
10. He’s humble.

Statham is grateful for the career he has and manages his expectations, saying in a interview with The Mirror, “I got plucked from obscurity into the movie industry. I accept what I’m good at – although I might not be good at any of it. I accept what I feel confident at and try to go that way.”
A spy doesn’t seek praise. If he were to, he’d make himself vulnerable. 
This really makes us crave more of Statham in spy mode. What about you!?