The Mechanic (2011) was not a huge hit, so the sequel was financed independently. Jason Statham has said that after doing supporting roles in The Expendables 3 (2014), Furious 7 (2015), and Spy (2015), he wanted to give his fans a starring performance again in the genre that they have come to expect from him.
Jason Statham finds great reward in doing his own stunts. He said: "It's something I've done ever since my first action movie, The Transporter (2002), when I took the reins and got my hands dirty in the action movie world. I had a ton of experience as a kid doing many different sorts of martial arts and gymnastics and sports, and that can really give you an advantage in doing these kinds of sequences."
With an international take of over $125 million, this sequel actually did better than its predecessor.
Jason Statham said Thailand was "a tremendous place to go work. The nicest people you'll ever get to work with. We spent most of our time there, and the warmth and generosity made for a terrific time, and it gave us such a beautiful backdrop."
In preparation for their action sequences, both Jessica Alba and Sam Hazeldine underwent extensive physical training. "I did it simply for the fact that I didn't want it to look ludicrous that I would be up against Jason in a fight," laughed Hazeldine. Alba continued by saying, "I had taken training in many different martial arts over the years doing action for a television show (Dark Angel (2000)), but for this film, I took krav maga. I felt it would be a lot more hand-to-hand, much more intuitive fighting. In the moments that you see Gina defend herself and in action, I just wanted it to be brutal and real and intense and messy. I think we've accomplished that, especially with Vic (Armstrong) shooting the action." Second Unit Director Vic Armstrong gave both actors high marks for their dedication, and the results they achieved on screen. "If she wasn't such a good actress, Jessica would make a wonderful stuntwoman," observed Armstrong. "She has a natural ability to throw a punch, to react, take a punch and hit the ground. I was absolutely overwhelmed by her ability and enthusiasm."