One long-held online theory is that Jason Statham’s character in Michael Mann’s critically acclaimed 2004 action thriller “Collateral” is Frank Martin, the character he played in “The Transporter” film series.
Statham has a brief two-line cameo at the very start of “Collateral,” bumping into Tom Cruise’s character at LAX as part of a bag-swapping handoff. Officially the character is credited only as ‘Airport Man’.
“The Transporter” helmer Louis Letterier confirmed in an interview in 2005 with IGN that it is indeed an appearance by Frank Martin. Even so, no-one from the “Collateral” side of the production made such a connection.
Now they finally have, with the film’s screenwriter Stuart Beattie confirming this week it is indeed canon, indicating “Collateral” and “The Transporter” are in the same cinematic universe.
Speaking on the Collateral Confessions podcast, hosted by our very own Dark Horizons correspondent Blake Howard and journalist Katie Walsh, Beattie was asked about the theory. He says:
“Absolutely Frank Martin of Transporter. I asked Jason about that… Yeah, absolutely. Yes, it’s canon. Same world…. the studio will never admit to that, but in my head, absolutely it’s him.”
Of course this is just fun talk, the films belong to different companies and studios and there is no actual connection whatsoever beyond the film’s containing the same actor.
Statham played the Frank Martin role across three “The Transporter” films running from 2002-2008. Ed Skrein took over the role for a reboot in 2015.
