While it never found the same high-speed traction as the concurrent Fast & Furious franchise, 2003's The Italian Job proved to be a similarly fun, zany, edge-of-your-seat heist action thrill ride with a starry ensemble, high stakes, and many cool, sporty Minis zipping across the screen. It didn't reach the same critical heights as the original 1969 British film either, but the remake found a great deal of success, especially in the U.S. Namely, it paved the way for director F. Gary Gray to transition into the action genre, helming The Fate of the Furious and reuniting with Charlize Theron and Jason Statham.
Also starring Mark Wahlberg, Edward Norton, and Donald Sutherland, The Italian Job is about as fresh and entertaining as you can hope a modernized remake of a bonafide classic can be, and it's hard to believe that 18 whole years have passed since the high-octane movie speed into theaters. What is the A-list cast doing now? Let's find out now!
Mark Wahlberg (Charlie Croker)
As Charlize Croker, the team's mastermind thief, Mark Wahlberg leads the crew and seeks revenge against Steve Frazelli as the protagonist of F. Gary Gray's The Italian Job. Formerly known as Marky Mark, Wahlberg transitioned into acting with Renaissance Man, The Basketball Diaries, and Fear before Boogie Nights propelled his movie career into stardom. From there, the actor received an Oscar nomination for his supporting turn in The Departed. Wahlberg was also Oscar-nominated for producing The Fighter, which he also starred in. Mark Wahlberg's movie credits also include Lone Survivor, Shooter, I Heart Huckabees, Three Kings, The Perfect Storm, The Other Guys, Ted 1 & 2, Transformers: Age of Extinction, Transformers: The Last Knight, Daddy's Home 1 & 2, Instant Family, Deepwater Horizon, and Pain & Gain.
Most recently, Mark Wahlberg starred in and produced Paramount+'s Infinite. He'll also be seen in Joe Bell, which he also produced, later this year. Additionally, Wahlberg will play Victor Sullivan in next year's Uncharted. Currently, he's filming Stu, which he also produced. Also, Wahlberg is working on Arthur the King.
Charlize Theron (Stella Bridger)
In the role of Stella Bridger, a safe and vault breaker, as well as John's daughter, Charlize Theron plays the female lead in 2003's The Italian Job. Most notably, Theron won an Oscar for her central performance in Monster, which came out the same year. She was also Oscar-nominated for her leading work in North Country and, most recently, for her role in the cast of Bombshell. Additionally, the A-list actress is known for Mad Max: Fury Road, Atomic Blonde, The Devil's Advocate, Prometheus, The Cider House Rules, Young Adult, Tully, Æon Flux, and The Fate of the Furious. Theron also starred in Snow White and the Huntsman, Reindeer Games, That Thing You Do!, The Road, Tully, Hancock, Mighty Joe Young, The Yards, and Long Shot. She also lent her voice to The Addams Family (2019).
Last year, Charlize Theron produced and starred in The Old Guard. Most recently, the actress reprised her role as Cipher in F9. Coming up next, Charlize Theron will be heard in the Addams Family sequel. Additionally, the A-list star recently finished production on The School for Good and Evil.
Edward Norton (Steve Frazelli)
Playing the part of Steve Frazelli, the inside man who betrays the crew and leaves them for dead, Edward Norton is a smarmy villain in F. Gary Gray's The Italian Job. Following his Oscar-nominated breakout role in Primal Fear, the acclaimed actor also received Academy Award nominations for his lead performance in American History X and his supporting turn in Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance). The actor is also recognized for starring in Fight Club, 25th Hour, The Illusionist, Rounders, The Score, Death to Smoochy, The Incredible Hulk, and Pride and Glory. Additionally, Norton produced and starred in The Painted Veil, Leaves of Grass, and Down in the Valley, which he also edited.
Furthermore, Edward Norton directed, produced, and starred in Keeping the Faith and wrote, produced, directed, and starred in Motherless Brooklyn. His other film credits include Moonrise Kingdom, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Red Dragon, Frida, The People vs. Larry Flynt, and Everyone Says I Love You. Next, Norton reunites with Wes Anderson for The French Dispatch. He's also signed on to appear in Knives Out 2.
Donald Sutherland (John Bridger)
As John Bridger, Stella's old-fashioned father and an ace safecracker, Donald Sutherland plays Charlie's longtime partner and a mentor figure in The Italian Job (2003). An Emmy-winning actor for his lead performance in HBO's Citizen X, Sutherland is a celebrated actor of screens both big and small, notably with acclaimed turns in MASH, Klute, The Dirty Dozen, Don't Look Now, National Lampoon's Animal House, Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978), Ordinary People, JFK, Without Limits, Space Cowboys, Threshold, Kelly's Heroes, Outbreak, Cold Mountain, and The Hunger Games franchise. He's also recognized from A Time to Kill, Pride & Prejudice (2005), 1900, Eye on the Needle, The Eagle Has Landed, and Fellini's Casanova. On television, additionally, Sutherland appeared in Trust, Dirty Sexy Money, and Human Trafficking.
Most recently, Donald Sutherland played a supporting role in HBO's The Undoing. He also appeared in Alone and The Burnt Orange Heresy. Next, Sutherland will star in Moonfall and James Gray's Armageddon Time. He also filmed a part in Quibi's Swimming with Sharks, though the show's status is unclear after the company folded.
Jason Statham (Handsome Robb)
In the role of Handsome Robb, the team's wheelman, Jason Statham played a sharp-looking ladies man in F. Gary Gray's The Italian Job. Previously a member of Britain's national diving team, Statham started his acting career with Guy Ritchie's Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels. From there, he appeared in Snatch, Ghosts of Mars, and The One before he transitioned into leading man roles with The Transporter series. He also starred in the Crank movies, The Bank Job, The Mechanic movies, In the Name of the King, Safe, Death Race, and The Meg, as well as War, Revolver, Redemption, Killer Elite, and Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, which he also produced. Additionally, Statham played notable supporting roles in The Expendables trilogy, Fast & Furious 6, Spy, Furious 7, The Fate of the Furious, Collateral, and Cellular.
Most recently, Jason Statham starred in Wrath of Man. Next, the actor will frontline and produce Guy Ritchie's untitled new movie, which is rumored to be called Five Eyes. He's also expected to star in The Meg 2: The Trench and Small Dark Look.
Seth Green (Lyle)
Playing the part of Lyle, the team's computer expert, Seth Green was the comedic relief in 2003's The Italian Job. Outside of this remake, Green played Scott Evil in the Austin Powers movies. His other film credits include Rat Race, Without a Paddle, Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, Radio Days, Can't Hardly Wait, My Stepmother Is An Alien, and A Futile and Stupid Gesture. He also voices Howard the Duck in Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy movies. Recently, Green wrote, directed, and starred in Changeland.
Away from the big screen, Seth Green is the co-creator and most-frequent voice on Adult Swim's Robot Chicken. He also voices Chris Griffin on Fox's Family Guy. Additionally, Green is known for playing Daniel "Oz" Osbourne in The WB/UPN's Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Young Richie Tozier in ABC's two-part mini-series, IT. The television actor also starred in short-lived sitcoms like Greg the Bunny, Four Kings, and Dads. As a voice actor, additionally, Green can be heard in Crossing Swords, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Hulk and the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and Phineas and Ferb.
Yasiin Bey (Gilligan “Left Ear”)
As Gilligan, i.e. "Left Ear," the team's detonation expert, Yasiin Bey, formerly known as Mos Def, plays an explosive supporting character in 2003's The Italian Job. As a musician, Bey is best known for his singles like "Oh No," "Definition," and "Respiration." However, before his music career, Bey entered the entertainment business as a child actor in TV films, sitcoms, and theater. In the early 2000s, Bey transitioned into film acting, most notably with The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Be Kind Rewind, 16 Blocks, Bamboozled, Brown Sugar, Next Day Air, and The Woodsman. He also appeared in Monster's Ball, Cadillac Records, Begin Again, Life of Crime, Showtime, Where's Marlowe?, and Journey to the End of Night.
In television, additionally, Yasiin Bey was Emmy-nominated for his lead performance as Vivien Thomas in HBO's Something the Lord Made. Furthermore, Bey had a recurring role in Showtime's Dexter. The actor also appeared in House and Yo Gabba Gabba! In 2016, he publicly retired from acting. Bey's final performance was in Tour de France.
Franky G (Wrench)
In the role of Wrench, a mechanic who engineers the Minis to carry the gold, Franky G plays a splashy supporting role in F. Gary Gray's The Italian Job. Away from this film, the actor is known for playing Xavier in Saw II and III. His other movie credits include Dead Man Down, Gun Hill Road, The Devil's Tomb, Wonderland, Confidence, 36 Saints, and Fists of Love, the latter two he also produced. Also, G appeared in The Martyr Maker, Lost Cat Corona, Blowtorch, The Pastor, Laugh Killer Laugh, Tio Papi, and Manito.
Additionally, on television, Franky G played Poncho in Starz's Power. He also appeared in Quantico, Blue Bloods, Jonny Zero, Law & Order: SVU, Luke Cage, Unforgettable, CSI: Miami, and The Mysteries of Laura. More recently, the actor guest-starred in ABC's For Life and BET's The Family Business. Outside of acting, G shot, directed, and produced 2009's short film, A Cry Within. Most recently, he was seen in this year's The Birthday Cake. Next, G is expected to star in Red Money.
Kelly Brook (Lyle’s Girlfriend)
Playing a character credited solely as Lyle's Girlfriend, Kelly Brook had one of her first film roles in 2003's The Italian Job. Starting her professional career as a world-famous model, Brook starred in NBC's short-lived sitcom, One Big Happy, and appeared in other shows such as Smallville, Britain's Got Talent, Strictly Come Dancing, Celebrity Juice, and The Masked Singer. In film, additionally, Brook can be seen in Survival Island, Piranha 3D, Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo, Ripper, House of 9, School of Seduction, Fishtales, Absolon, and Sorted. Most recently, the actress-model appeared in Santet.
Oscar Nunez (Security Guard)
Briefly seen as a security guard, Oscar Nunez received his first film credit in 2003's The Italian Job. Most notably, Nunez is best known as Oscar Martinez in NBC's The Office. Additionally, the TV actor is Emmy-nominated for his performance in History Channel's The Crossroads of History. Nunez also created and starred in Comedy Central's short-lived Halfway Home and co-starred in USA Network's Benched. Furthermore, he played Father Doug in TBS's People of Earth. Currently, Nunez appears in Netflix's Mr. Iglesias as Assistant-Principal Carlos Hernandez. His other TV credits include Malcolm in the Middle, Reno 911!, and Shameless. Also, Nunez is heard in 3Below: Tales from Arcadia.
Away from TV, Oscar Nunez's other film credits include The Proposal, The 33, Reno 911!: Miami, The Italian Job, Miss Stevens, and he appeared among the cast of Baywatch. Last year, he appeared in Yes. Earlier this year, Nunez was seen in NBC's Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist. At the moment, the actor is in the midst of filming Disenchanted and The Lost City of D. Additionally, Nunez will be heard in the dark comedy podcast series, The Bystanders.
You can stream The Italian Job (2003) on Cinemax.
