Jason Statham is to return as monosyllabic tough guy Chev Chelios for the sequel to 2006 thriller Crank.

The second installment doesn’t seem to stray far from the original, which saw professional assassin Chelios injected with a Chinese toxin designed to kill him if his heart rate drops.

He then sets off on a high-octane car chase across Los Angeles to find the man responsible.

In Crank 2: High Voltage, it is claimed a Chinese mobster will steal his near indestructible heart – replacing it with a battery powered version that needs to be regularly jolted with electricity to keep it ticking.

Cue action packed car chase through LA.

Writer-directors Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor return for the project, with shooting due to start in April next year.