The highly anticipated sequel The Beekeeper 2, starring action icon Jason Statham, has cast its first new actor. Statham made waves in the action genre once again at the beginning of 2024, starring in David Ayer’s one-person army thriller as a former operative who comes out of retirement to avenge a friend.

The Beekeeper grossed over $160 million on a $40 million budget, and its success led to the development of a sequel, with The Beekeeper 2 being announced in February 2025. In the past two years, Statham has remained as busy as ever in Hollywood, leading another revenge thriller with similar themes, this year’s A Working Man.

Statham and Jeremy Irons are confirmed to reprise their roles in The Beekeeper 2, which is being produced by Miramax and distributed by Amazon MGM Studios. Now Variety reports that Yara Shahidi, known for Black-ish, Grown-ish, and Sitting in Bars with Cake, is joining the cast of The Beekeeper 2 in an unknown starring role.

Nobody 2 director Timo Tjahjanto is helming The Beekeeper 2, with original screenwriter Kurt Wimmer returning to pen the script. Wimmer is also producing, alongside LongsH๏τ Productions’ Chris Long and Statham, under the banner of his own company, Punch Palace Productions. The Beekeeper 2 is reportedly planning on beginning production this fall, potentially looking at a late 2026 release.

What This Means For The Beekeeper 2 & Yara Shahidi

Statham teased the possibility of a sequel before the first movie was even released, suggesting that there was more of this world to explore: “The whole world [of the film] has a mythology of the ‘beekeeping’ world. If we were fortunate enough to make a sequel, we have a whole world that we can dive into.“

Looking at this movie’s possible John Wick influences, the network of The Continental and the High Table is one of that story’s best elements, and Statham’s budding franchise would be well served by expanding the lore of the Beekeepers organization with new characters played by the likes of Yara Shahidi.

Shahidi could be playing another Beekeeper, or a new civilian character whom Adam Clay decides to help. The actress’s action experience is overshadowed by her more prominent comedy roles, though she did play Tinker Bell in the recent fantasy adventure Peter Pan & Wendy. However, The Beekeeper stands to be a strong new addition to her repertoire.

Our Take On The Beekeeper 2 Casting Yara Shahidi

Most people probably would not have guessed Shahidi would be cast in this role, given that she is best known for comedy, but she will be bringing something new to the movie that could prove her versatility. As excited as fans are for The Beekeeper 2, they will now possibly also be witnessing a great star entering a new era in her career.