You know we’re scratching for stories when we cover a premiere without a lot of big names, but Jason Statham could run around for two hours doing not much of anything and I would watch it, all wide-eyed and rapt. He adds a layer of swoon-inducing kick-ass testosterone to any film, and it looks like his new film, The Bank Job, doesn’t even need help in that department.

The Bank Job is based on the true story of a multi-million pound London bank heist in 1971, in which safety deposit boxes were stolen from a vault. The robbery was only covered by the press for a just a few days before the government issued a gag order and the story faded away. It is thought that the gang uncovered reams of information about a massive corruption scandal involving top government officials along with the royal family. (It has no relation to The Italian Job or the upcoming sequel The Brazilian Job (snicker) except for the fact that it also stars Statham and has “Job” in the title.)

Here’s the description from IMDB:

In September 1971, thieves tunneled into the vault of a bank in London’s Baker Street and looted safe deposit boxes of cash and jewelry worth over three million pounds. None of it was recovered. Nobody was ever arrested. The robbery made headlines for a few days and then disappeared – the result of a ‘D’ Notice, gagging the press. This film reveals what was hidden for the first time. The story involves murder, corruption and a sex scandal with links to the Royal Family – a story in which the thieves were the most innocent people involved.

And here’s the trailer. It looks pretty awesome.

The thing that I found amusing about these premiere pictures is that Guy Ritchie showed up looking sheepish in a cap and suit – but he’s not the director and had no hand in the movie that I can tell. He hasn’t had a critically acclaimed or successful film since 2000’s Snatch.

Anthony Hopkins was looking elderly in a plaid jacket and scarf and full white beard. He also has nothing to do with this movie.

The Bank Job is out in the UK on February 25, and comes out in US theaters on March 7. Thanks to PRPhotos for these pictures. There are also some stills from the film, thanks to AllMoviePhoto.