Parker — Richard Stark

There have been many film adaptations of Richard Stark's novels over the years, but none of them actually featured a protagonist named Parker -- and none of them fully captured Parker's chilling tenacity and laconic anticharm. Here for the first time is the real Parker, played by Jason Statham. Adapted by Black Swan screenwriter John J. McLaughlin, and directed by Taylor Hackford, Parker is sure to both satisfy Stark fans and action-movie lovers. And there couldn't be a better Parker novel to bring to the silver screen than the fast-paced and stylish Flashfire.

When Flashfire opens, Parker isn't happy. Three associates have borrowed his money for a job without permission, and he isn't satisfied to wait and see if they make good. Instead, he vows to kill them all. Tearing across America to take their job out from under them, Parker finds himself in West Palm Beach. There things go sour. While attempting to trick the denizens of Palm Beach into accepting him for one of their own, Parker is gut-shot and forced to rely on a beautiful civilian, played in the film by Jennifer Lopez, for help. But even injured and exhausted, Parker still has his killer instinct, and he shows how unwise -- and deadly -- it is to cross him. Part heist movie, part unexpected romance, and mostly explosions, Parker brings to life Stark's hero with verve and violence, while taking viewers on an action-packed adventure they won't soon forget.

Also starring Michael Chiklis, Nick Nolte, Patti Lupone, and Wendell Pierce, Parker is hitting theaters near you this January. Hard.