Guy Ritchie, a shelved 2002 movie, and the two iconic careers launched after
Matthew Vaughn directed *Layer Cake* after Guy Ritchie’s effort to secure the novel’s rights stalled, turning a shelved project into Vaughn’s directorial debut. The film’s success helped launch Daniel Craig towards James Bond and established Vaughn as a director, while Ritchie’s own *Revolver* was poorly received.
Vaughn said Ritchie had put *Layer Cake* on ice while working on *Revolver*, but Vaughn felt ready to direct independently. Released in 2004, *Layer Cake* featured Craig alongside Sienna Miller, Michael Gambon, Tom Hardy and Ben Whishaw; Craig was later cast in *Casino Royale*. Ritchie is now set to adapt the novel’s sequel, *Viva La Madness*, with Jason Statham for a planned 2027 release.
- Vaughn took over Ritchie’s shelved *Layer Cake* project.
- The film helped put Daniel Craig on the path to Bond.
- Ritchie is adapting its sequel for a planned 2027 release.