Jason Statham suffered twisted back preparing for Killer Elite

Hollywood hardman Jason Statham struggled with a bad back while filming new movie Killer Elite after injuring himself while training for the high-octane action scenes.

The Transporter actor appears alongside Clive Owen and Robert De Niro in the new thriller, about a retired member of Britain's Elite Special Air Service who is forced into action, and Statham reveals he was suffering for his art before cameras even began rolling.

He tells People magazine, "Killer Elite is the next level (of action films). Great man-to-man stuff, great car stuff. And jumps are always thrilling - someone counts down and you have to commit. You can never think about the consequences.

"I twisted my back quite severely in training, but you just get a chiropractor to come in. In a few days you're on your feet (again)."