Yara Shahidi is joining The Beekeeper 2.

Variety reports that Shahidi will play opposite Jason Statham in the upcoming sequel to 2024’s The Beekeeper. The Amazon MGM Studios film will go into production this fall.

We won’t know what Shahidi’s role is for a while; currently, her role is being kept a secret. But if we look at the first film, Phylicia Rashad starred as Statham’s motherly landlady.

Potential theories for Yara Shahidi’s ‘The Beekeeper 2’ role

Ayer spoke with Shadow and Act last year about Rashad’s role in The Beekeeper, calling her “America’s mom.”

“She’s really gracious, really nice person, and a genuinely good person, and that comes across on camera,” he said. “Having that connection between her and Jason is key because…someone we care about is her and we’re getting justice delivered and it needs to happen.”

Perhaps Shahidi’s role connects to Rashad’s character. Or, perhaps, her role is something completely unrelated.

The director of ‘Nobody 2’ is helming ‘The Beekeeper 2’

The original Beekeeper, directed by David Ayer, garnered $162 million internationally. The sequel will be directed by Nobody 2 director Timo Tjahjanto. Kurt Wimmer, the screenwriter for the first film, is back as the screenwriter here. Statham will produce via Punch Palace Productions with Wimmer and Longshot Productions’ Chris Long.