Hollywood has been trying to remake Indonesian action movie masterpiece The Raid basically since the original film first arrived in 2011. Now it seems that The Raid remake is finally taking off in earnest — at Netflix, and Deadline reports Michael Bay is lined up as producer and The Expendables III and The Hitman’s Bodyguard director Patrick Hughes will direct. Hughes’ proposed take on the remake reportedly “excited” original film director Gareth Evans, which should come as at least some comfort to fans weary of uninspired Hollywood remakes.
The Patrick Hughes take on The Raid sets the movie in the drug-ridden “Badlands” of Philadelphia, where “an elite undercover DEA task force climb a ladder of cartel informants to catch an elusive kingpin.” That sounds vaguely reminiscent of the original film, where a SWAT team raids a drug kingpin’s apartment building intent on taking him down. Unlike in many action movies, where gunfights or martial arts just suddenly happen, The Raid starts with gunfights and gradually segues into martial arts as everyone runs out of ammo. The result is a dynamic, endlessly engaging action film, and it remains to be seen if the Netflix The Raid remake can capture that same energy.
“We’re incredibly excited about Patrick’s unique vision for this film,” producers said. “It’s a distinctly original take on the material, which promises to pay great respect to the original film while also bringing a fresh approach and perspective that will set its own course in the action genre.”
Patrick Hughes is writing the script with James Beaufort.
