"Furious 7" and "Expendables" franchise star Jason Statham revealed to Digital Spy that filming is set to begin in 2016 on "Viva La Madness," the sequel to Matthew Vaughn's ("X-Men: First Class") breakout film, "Layer Cake," with Statham calling the project "the most exciting thing on [his] plate."

Originally announced in 2013, "Viva La Madness" will be adapted from the novel-of-the-same name by original author J.J. Connolly. The book (and presumably subsequent film) picks up some time after the conclusion of "Layer Cake" and sees the series' unnamed protagonist looking to retire but instead being pulled into the world of high-tech electronic fraud, money laundering, and trans-Atlantic drug deals.

"He's such a talented writer... the book was incredible." Statham told Digital Spy. "I loved 'Layer Cake' and this is [if anything] better."

Statham, who has been attached to the project since 2013, replaces "Layer Cake" star Daniel Craig in the lead role.