Transporter: The Modern Day Driver?

Alright film fans, moviebuff_marc here. Just rewatched "The Transporter" (2002) the other night, and it got me thinking... Am I crazy, or does this flick basically try to be a modern version of "The Driver" (1978) with Ryan O'Neal? I mean, both guys are these super-skilled, ice-cold professionals who rarely speak and drive like absolute maniacs. Frank Martin even has rules, just like O'Neal's character. Plus, the Euro setting and the whole 'criminal underworld' vibe feels similar, right? Don't get me wrong, Statham brings his own thing to the role (more martial arts, less brooding, maybe). And the fight scenes are way more over-the-top than anything Walter Hill ever cooked up. Remember that oil fight scene? Seriously, who comes up with that stuff?! But the core concept – a stoic getaway driver who gets caught up in something way too big for him – that's straight outta "The Driver," isn't it? Maybe it's just my Gen X brain seeing connections where they don't exist. But seriously, the parallels are uncanny. Anyone else feel the same way, or am I just lost in 70s and 80s nostalgia again? Lemme know what you think. Gotta go, "Le Samourai" is calling my name...