Gareth Evan’s 2011 Indonesian martial arts spectacle The Raid (and it’s sequel 3 years later) became an instant classic the moment of its release, the hard hitting action and fight scenes unlike anything audiences have seen before or since. Of course, it being such a hit soon saw Hollywood come calling. An english language remake was soon put into development, with The Expendables 3 director Patrick Hughes being tasked by Screen Gems to helm the project, which had attracted star Frank Grillo (Captain America: The Winter Soldier, The Purge: Anarchy) and was courting Taylor Kitsch. But problems soon arose filling out the ensemble cast, and almost everyone involved left the project, effectively cancelling it. But now, the project has risen from the dead, with XYZ Films now financing it, and Grillo and director Joe Carnahan (Narc, The A-Team, Smokin’ Aces, The Grey) on board. The remake (which is being called a ‘re-imagining) was announced with the teaser video below, which see director and star watching the original, and discussing the potential of their own version. I gotta say, it’s a pretty cool and unique way of announcing your movie.
While I usually bristle at the word ‘re-imagining’, but having Carnahan onboard injects this project with some real, exciting potential. Just look at any of his movies and you can see he’s able to juggle emotional intensity with some hard hitting set pieces, and that is needed to tackle The Raid, a movie that is so much more than a group of guys beating the tar out of each other. Carnahan is well aware of what he is letting himself in for, and has taken to Twitter to reassure fans that he does have something special planned, and that Evans has given him his full blessing and is on board as a producer. At moment, all signs are pointing to this project doing justice to the original.
— XYZ Films (@XYZFilms) February 15, 2017
While I usually bristle at the word ‘re-imagining’, but having Carnahan onboard injects this project with some real, exciting potential. Just look at any of his movies and you can see he’s able to juggle emotional intensity with some hard hitting set pieces, and that is needed to tackle The Raid, a movie that is so much more than a group of guys beating the tar out of each other. Carnahan is well aware of what he is letting himself in for, and has taken to Twitter to reassure fans that he does have something special planned, and that Evans has given him his full blessing and is on board as a producer. At moment, all signs are pointing to this project doing justice to the original.
You can't remake The Raid, guys. It's a fantastic film. So, ask yourselves why would we be doing it, unless we had something really special.— Joe Carnahan (@carnojoe) February 15, 2017
THE RAID remake will hew closer in tone & feel to THE GREY and NARC.@Ghuevans is producing alongside & has given us his full blessing.— Joe Carnahan (@carnojoe) February 15, 2017
It's not a remake. It's a reimagining of the same scenario.— Joe Carnahan (@carnojoe) February 15, 2017
Everybody take a deep breath.
We won't disappoint you, rabid-fanboy-from-Hell. https://t.co/ShPcXmng5n
