Jason Statham Will Punch a Prehistoric Shark (in a Movie)

Sharks had no natural predators.

Until now.

I humbly submit that as the tagline for this amazing sounding project that was just revealed by Variety. Jason Statham has been set to star in Meg, a Warner Bros. movie about a killer shark based on the novel Meg: A Novel of Deep Terror by Steve Alten. Here’s the plot description:

The book revolves around two men who band together to fight an ancient shark threatening the California coast. The Megaladon, considered one of the largest and most powerful predators in history, can reach a length of 60 feet.

The movie version will be set in China instead of California to please some Chinese investors in the project. Incredibly, this movie has been in the works for almost 20 years; back in 1997 Disney nearly made a Meg until their plans were derailed by the release of a competing killer shark project, Deep Blue Sea, which has since gone on to cinema immortality thanks to Samuel L. Jackson’s truly magnificent onscreen death.

I would have preferred they call it “Jason Statham v Shark: Dawn of Bloodstice,” but I am so on board for this idea. Variety notes that Jon Turteltaub will direct Statham and his toothy co-star. He directed both of the National Treasure movies which are actually kind of good. (Right? Don’t pretend you haven’t watched the first one a dozen times on cable.) He’s good with action and chases and special effects, and while I would be even more excited if Nic Cage was playing the shark, I can’t deny that this whole property gets me excited. Punch that shark right in his giant face, Jason Statham!