The film stars an ensemble cast led by Jason Statham, Brad Pitt, Benicio del Toro, and Dennis Farina.

Jason Statham plays Turkish, a small-time boxing promoter. Brad Pitt portrays Mickey O'Neil, an Irish Traveller bare-knuckle boxer with a nearly impenetrable accent. Benicio del Toro appears as Frankie Four Fingers, a jewel thief who steals an 86-carat diamond. Dennis Farina plays Cousin Avi, a New York jeweller flown in to recover the stone. Supporting roles include Stephen Graham, Alan Ford, Vinnie Jones, Rade Šerbedžija, and Jason Flemyng — many returning from Lock, Stock.