I Feel So Dumb For Missing This Obvious Detail In Jason Statham's 2024 Banger

I’ve rewatched Jason Statham’s instant action gem The Beekeeper a few times, and I’m annoyed for only just noticing that a key villain detail. Jason Statham action movie The Beekeeper felt like a cool breeze when it arrived in 2024, especially after he fronted back-to-back duds like The Expendables 4.

This David Ayer-directed movie had the right balance between crunchy action and wild humor, and gave Statham a role custom-built for his talents. The Beekeeper is a borderline parody in parts, with Statham’s vengeance-seeking тιтle character being described (and depicted) as a borderline supernatural being.

The film is not suitable when it comes to its beehive subtext or how the villains parallel certain political figures. I loved Beekeeper so much it’s become something of a comfort watch, and while he’s only in the film for a short time, I especially dig the South African mercenary Lazurus (Taylor James).

I Somehow Missed That Beekeeper Villain Lazarus Is Dressed As A Yellowjacket Wasp

Taylor James as Lazurus in The Beekeeper.

James plays Lazarus with a hammy relish, making big choices both in terms of performance and his bright yellow wardrobe. Lazurus is set up as the ultimate challenge to Statham’s Clay, having been established as one of the few people to have killed a Beekeeper agent.

It was only during this most recent viewing that I realized Lazarus’ colorful outfit is no accident, but that he’s literally styled after a yellowjacket wasp. Of course, the yellow jacket is a big giveaway, but from his black and yellow facial hair to his aggressive fighting style, Ayer isn’t being subtle with his symbolism.

It was so obvious on this Beekeeper screening, I practically facepalmed at having missed it. In nature, yellowjackets are a natural enemy of the honey bee, from killing and eating individual bees to raiding and destroying entire hives. So symbolically, Lazarus is the natural enemy of Statham’s rogue Beekeeper.

Lazarus Is The Only Bad Guy Who Poses A Threat To Jason Statham’s Beekeeper

Taylor James as Lazarus at the president’s mansion in The Beekeeper (2024).

As is the case with the majority of Statham action flicks, the star breezes through the bad guys in The Beekeeper. Be it a fistfight or a shootout, Clay decimates every killer that comes after him. This extends to the other member of the Beekeeper organization who is sent to neutralize him.

That’s what makes Clay’s Lazarus showdown such a pleasant surprise, in that Statham’s protagonist kind of gets his ᴀss kicked; well, by Statham standards anyway. Lazurus lands some vicious blows on Clay and even succeeds in stabbing him during their gory battle.

Jason Statham reteamed with The Beekeeper helmer David Ayer for 2025’s A Working Man.

This state of affairs doesn’t last long, as Clay uses broken glᴀss, a knife and a knuckleduster to take Lazurus apart. He appears to deliver the killing blow with a knife to the South African soldier’s neck – though it honestly wouldn’t be a huge shock if Lazarus rose again offscreen.

I Hope Lazarus Makes Good On His Name And Returns For The Beekeeper 2

Jason Statham as Adam Clay and Taylor James as Lazarus fighting in The Beekeeper (2024)

While Ayer departed the sequel, The Beekeeper 2 is definitely happening. The Night Comes for Us director Timo Tjahjanto will helm the follow-up, and while plot details have yet to emerge, it will almost certainly dive deeper into the Beekeeper organization.

I also hope The Beekeeper 2 uses Lazarus’ name as an excuse to bring him back. James made a big impression with only five minutes of screentime, being both hilarious and posing a genuine threat. If any villain from the original would be liable to seek revenge, it would be Lazurus.

It might be far-fetched that he could survive the levels of punishment that Clay dished out, but it’s not like The Beekeeper is the most grounded, realistic narrative. It’s also not like Lazurus’ head was cut off or his heart ripped out, so with some suspension of disbelief, his return wouldn’t be a huge stretch.