Snatch’s Guy Ritchie, Jason Staham and Vinnie Jones in EPIC reunion for big-budget new gangster film
IN just a few weeks Guy Ritchie and Jason Statham will start work on their new movie, Viva La Madness.
And I can exclusively reveal the gangster flick is getting a very special supporting character — in the form of Vinnie Jones.
The trio last worked together in the amazing 2000 film Snatch and now former footballer Vinnie is going to be front and centre in the new movie alongside Jason.
A source said: “Viva La Madness is writer J.J. Connolly’s sequel to Layer Cake but the film is going to be a standalone production.
“Guy is thrilled to be back at the helm. And to have Jason on board, as well as Vinnie, is going to make for cinematic gold.
“This project feels so brilliantly British. It’s going to be loud, fast and unapologetically patriotic.
“Jason and Vinnie are so brilliant together on screen and everyone working on the film was thrilled to hear that Vinnie had signed up.”
‘Come a long way’
I’m told the exact details of the plot are being kept under wraps but it’s expected to closely follow J.J.’s novel.
The book returns to the story of the shady anonymous drug dealer — played by Daniel Craig in the film of Layer Cake — who is pulled back into the criminal underworld after hoping to retire.
But this time, the deals get more risky — with high-level electronic fraud and a bit of money laundering for good measure.
It’s not surprising that Guy has brought Vinnie on board for the film, after casting him in the next series of his Netflix hit, The Gentleman.
Guy previously admitted he and Jason credited Vinnie for helping them when times were tough — before they made it big with Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels in 1998.
He said: “Vinnie was forever paying for taxis when Statham and I had no money.”
“We’ve come a long way since Lock, Stock.”
I absolutely loved Layer Cake so I cannot wait to watch Viva La Madness.
SEQUIN WHEN YOU’RE WINNING
MARIAH CAREY went into 2026 on Cloud Nine after her performance on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve went off without a hitch.
Nine years ago, the superstar was on the very same stage when she was hit by technical difficulties, meaning she was off-beat when lip syncing.
It got so bad that Mariah stopped pretending to sing, and said: “It is what it is. It just don’t get any better,” before stomping off stage.
This time around, fans watching in New York had a far better time, with Mariah – who wore a tiny pink dress adorned with sequins – sailing through her performance of her 2009 song, Obsessed.
Host Rita Ora stayed cosy in a leopard print coat as temperatures plunged to -2C in the Big Apple, while over in Las Vegas, Demi Lovato was on top form for Dick Clark’s Sin City gig.
She took to the stage in a shimmering sheer jumpsuit alongside stars including Diana Ross, Post Malone and 50 Cent.
BUSY SIAN: I’M NOT WEDDY YET
THIS Morning and Capital Breakfast DJ Sian Welby got engaged to radio producer Jake Beckett two years ago, but they are still no closer to walking down the aisle.
When asked her if she has made any headway with preparations, Sian – who gave birth to daughter Ruby in June 2024 – admitted: “No, it’s an absolute shambles. I’ve honestly not got any brain capacity for wedding planning.
“I think what we’re doing: having a baby who’s waking up in the night, teething, the 4am alarms . . . combine that with trying to see friends and family up in the Midlands and the thought of trying to plan a wedding is quite daunting.
“I don’t want to be that person that’s engaged for years and years and I would love a big wedding, but it’s everything. Even the guest list fills me with anxiety.”
BACK IN THE PINK AFTER OP
THE brilliant Pink has told fans she spent New Year’s Eve in hospital having surgery on her neck.
Sharing a snap of herself from her hospital bed on Instagram, the So What singer, below, said: “I end the year giving reverence to, paying attention to, and to fixing my body.
“It may not be a fancy face lift, but I am getting two new shiny discs in my neck.
“A new scar – a reminder that I appreciate this vessel that I have and use it for all it’s worth.
“Rock ’n’ roll is a contact sport. And as I sit here by myself on New Year’s Eve in a hospital room while my family is happily snowboarding, I know that 2026 is going to be better because that is the choice that I have made.”
AFTER I revealed the Rolling Stones had cancelled their plans for a UK and European tour this year, Ronnie WOod says he just won’t be sitting at home and twiddling his thumbs.
Speaking at Jools Holland‘s Hootenanny, the guitar whizz said: “I just wanna play all the time, or paint. I have a big exhibition planned for the end of 2026 in Germany.”
NEW PIRATES? IT DEPPENDS
THE fate of the Pirates Of The Caribbean franchise now rests in Johnny Depp‘s hands, it seems.
Talk of a sixth film has been swirling for years since the last instalment, Dead Men Tell No Tales, in 2017.
Now, actor Kevin McNally, who played seaman Joshamee Gibbs, has revealed the script is with Johnny, who starred as Jack Sparrow.
In an exclusive chat, Kevin said: “I would love to do a new Pirates movie. The only problem is that there are two realities in the world. There is reality, and there is social media.
“As far as social media is concerned, I started filming yesterday. As far as reality is concerned, tumbleweed, but I would love to be part of that again.
“The last two films weren’t great, but for me, if Johnny thinks it’s good enough and wants to do it, I will be there.”
While Kevin waits for the call, he is busy directing and starring in new sitcom Ketchup.
The series is based on author Joe Cawley’s More Ketchup Than Salsa memoirs and will follow a hapless British couple who attempt to run a bar on the Costa del Sol.