FILM · 2011 · USA
The Mechanic
18 archived facts 2 topics 1 source Last reviewed Oct 2026
18 Interesting Facts About The Mechanic
Interesting Facts (15)
- #001
Ben Foster broke his collarbone during the scene in which he fights the large hitman single-handedly.
- #002
The Mechanic was in development for 15 years.
- #003
The security camera footage featuring Jason Statham in the final scene shows the date 28 January 2011. The production synchronized this on-screen timestamp with the film's official theatrical release date in the United States.
- #004
The stunt in which Jason Statham and Ben Foster jump from the edge of a tall building was especially nerve-racking for Foster, who has a fear of heights.
- #005
This is a remake of Charles Bronson's early seventies film The Mechanic (1972).
- #006
The production used a 1961 Series 1 Jaguar E-Type for the restoration sequences involving Arthur Bishop. This particular model has a 3.8-litre engine and covered headlights, characteristic of the earliest production iterations before the 1968 design requirements.
- #007
The "Mechanic Needed" photo seen on the laptop screen uses a promotional photograph of Donald Sutherland from the 2009 Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala. That particular image was taken during the festival, where the actor received the Desert Palm Achievement Award for his work. The production team repurposed the red-carpet material to serve as in-universe surveillance or file imagery for the character Harry McKenna.
- #008
The Mechanic was shot over a period of 9 weeks.
- #009
At the 36-minute mark, the slow-motion shot of the round leaving the rifle shows a 'blank' cartridge (visible from the crimps on the casing).
- #010
The production distributed theatrical prints to cinemas under the shipping alias "Money Maker" to conceal the high-profile action title during transport. Sony Pictures and CBS Films used this tactical alias ahead of the official 28 January 2011 release to reduce potential piracy and unauthorized screenings.
- #011
In the gas station scene, the SUV at the next pump explodes right after Arthur's truck. However, a few minutes later, when the police review the security camera footage and see Arthur driving away, Arthur is now sheltering under the same SUV, which no longer explodes.
- #012
This is a remake of Charles Bronson's early seventies film The Mechanic. Charles Bronson and Donald Sutherland started out together in The Dirty Dozen.
- #013
The text on Harry's gun reads "Victory loves preparation."
- #014
Harry McKenna's M1911 A1 had the serial number 949186.
- #015
This marks the first appearance of Elise Fyke.
Characters & Cast (3)
- #016
Bishop (Jason Statham) was originally meant to die in an explosion at a gas station, but the ending was scrapped because Simon West feared audiences would not want to see both leads die at the end of the film.
- #017
Sylvester Stallone was considered for the lead role and as a producer on the project.
- #018
Michael Douglas was initially sought for the lead role.
Sources & editorial notes
Reference databases
- IMDb
Information from external sources is independently selected, consolidated and edited by Arka Evren. Sources are listed for verification and further reading. Encyclopedia text is used under its licence (CC BY-SA). How we work