Longtime Batman and Punisher Writer Chuck Dixon Talks about 2025’s A Working Man Coming To The Big Screen Later This Year

Answers From A Hard-Working Writer

For several years the prolific writer of numerous Batman and Punisher titles (and many other comics) has turned his hand to writing a series of well received novels. They have proved so popular in fact his creation is making his big screen debut in 2025. Chuck Dixon recently spoke to Tripwire’s contributing writer Paul N Neal about this new development for the writer and the famous names involved…

TRIPWIRE: A Working Man is a 2025 movie I am sure you a quite rightly excited about. It is based on your character Levon Cade. Can you start by simply describing the character? You have written him in a number of your novels. Is he a man you’d like to meet? Does he share any character traits with Batman?

CHUCK DIXON: Levon is a former military guy. Initially he was a US Marine, but it’s hinted in the books that he was a part of several hunter/killer teams operating in the War on Terror. In any case, he learned a lot of skills in his service. Essentially, he’s a country boy from Alabama with a daughter to look after and trying to lead a normal life.  But he runs into situations where he can’t look away and that’s when his background as a warfighter comes into play.

He has a lot more in common with Frank Castle than Bruce Wayne. And I’m not sure I’d want to meet him but I’d sure like him on my side.

TW: It is a huge accomplishment for any novelist to eventually see their creation on the big screen. How long has it taken for the movie to become a reality? Have there been a handful of frustrating Hollywood meetings?

CD: It’s been about ten years from the time I sent copies of the first novel to Sylvester Stallone. From there, he and I worked out a deal and then he took on the heavy lifting of seeing the novel to the big screen. I don’t know how Sly or anyone else deals with the long, tedious process of filmmaking in Hollywood. It would make me nuts.

TW: Am I correct in thinking you and Sylvester Stallone had almost worked together on the Expendables 2 film together. Can you elaborate a little?

CD: I wrote an Expendables prequel comic and Sly really liked it. He had me flown out for a production meeting, but the producers wouldn’t meet my quote. I figured that was the end of my Hollywood career except that Sly stayed in touch with me and got me writing gigs doing web content for Lionsgate and creating dialogue for an Expendables video game. All the while, he was working on positioning Levon Cade for a TV series or feature.

TW: A Working Man is being directed by David Ayer. His back catalogue is impressive. Were you already a fan of the director before he decided to direct the movie.

CD: I certainly was. I’ve watched and re-watched many of his movies and have lost count of how many times I’ve seen Fury. I was confident that he’d keep the story lean and mean and really understand the tone I was going for in the book.

TW: Much like the previous question, how do you feel about the casting of Jason Statham? Is it accurate casting to your mind? Did you ever picture the actor as you wrote your novels? Were other actors ever considered?

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CD: It was as simple as Mr. Statham telling Sly that he was looking for a new franchise and Sly saying, “There’s this novel series…”

I confess I didn’t see Jason Statham as Levon, but the end product is terrific. A writer can’t expect to see their novel transferred to film without changes. It’s different medium with different demands.

But having a major star like this play someone I created is a kick. Sly tells me Jason loved playing Levon and looks forward to more. And the guy delivers both the action and the heart to the role.

TW: I cannot believe I get to ask this but, how did you feel about Oscar-winning screen writer Sylvester Stallone adapting your character for the screen. Did you ever anticipate that ever happening in your career? Did you contribute anything to the screenplay?

CD: And Oscar-winning David Ayer to direct! I didn’t make any contributions other to answer a few questions via email. I have no desire to work in film despite my love for movies. And I never expected a phone call from Sly would lead to this one day.

TW: The rest of the cast of the film are not to be sneezed at. David Harbour and Michael Pena are enormously talented. Is it fair to say the film has a pretty talented cast? Do the actors in your mind match the characters they play?

CD: Again, changes were made. The casting is strong, and Harbour inhabits his role as Gunny. And Michael Pena has always been a favourite of mine.

TW: Did you have any opportunities to go on set during filming?

CD: They didn’t offer, and I didn’t ask. Every writer I’ve ever heard from who visited the set felt like they were only in the way. And, unless you’re directly involved in the process, moviemaking is boring as hell. I really had no urge to be a fly on the wall.

TW: Are you looking forward to a premiere event in Hollywood or London? When will the movie be released in America and the UK?

CD: It’s released on 28 March in the US. I’m not sure about the UK release. I haven’t heard anything about the premiere yet.

TW: If the movie is a success, do you think fans can look forward to a sequel (or sequels) featuring Jason Statham? I guess I am asking: are you hoping for sequels? I believe you have written a few books that would support the idea.

CD: I’d love to see this as a series. The books lend themselves to follow-ups and I worked hard to make sure the continuing stories did not fall into formula. They are each stories that can stand on their own with wildly different plots and developments.

TW: For fans that enjoy the film and want to read more about the character is there any reading order of your novels you’d suggest?

CD: Levon’s Trade is the first book in the series followed by Levon’s Night then Levon’s Ride then Levon’s Run etc. The books are marked on the cover where they sit in the order. I think they’re best read in the order in which they were published as there are serial plotlines and sub-plots that weave from one book to another.