Back in March 2014, it looked like Screen Gems' remake ofThe Raidwas getting back on the right track, withPatrick Hughes(The Expendables 3) coming aboard to direct,Frank Grilloset to star andTaylor Kitschbeing offered a lead role. Production was scheduled to start in September 2014, but that never happened, and now it seems the remake has hit another major stumbling block.The Tracking Boardreports that both directorPatrick Hughesand distributor Screen Gems have backed away from the remake, leaving XYZ Films as the sole production company.
The original 2012 Indonesian filmThe Raid: Redemptioncentered on an elite police force tasked with raiding a 30-story building filled with the most dangerous villains in the city. StarIko Uwaisand directorGareth Edwardsreunited for the 2014 sequelThe Raid 2. Neither movie made a huge splash at the box office, withThe Raid: Redemptionearning $4.1 million andThe Raid 2taking in $2.6 million, but, although neither received a wide release, each movie was critically-acclaimed.
This report also reveals thatTaylor Kitschhas backed out of the project, butFrank Grilloremains attached to star. The remake was written byBrad Ingelsby, with the story reportedly set in the world of DEA “fast teams” which will feature a clash between different fighting styles. Erich Hoeber and Jon Hoeber (Red) also came aboard to perform rewrites. Aram Tertzakian, Nate Bolotin and Nick Spencer are producing for XYZ Films, which is seeking a new distributor for the film.
It isn’t known whyPatrick Hughesdropped out ofThe Raid, but the filmmaker has since taken the helm on the Australian filmThe Storm Warning, described as an epic drama based on the true story of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race disaster.The Tracking Boardspeculates that project may have taken precedence for the Australian-born filmmaker, especially sinceThe Raidproduction schedule was being constantly shifted. Patrick Hughes made his directorial debut with the Australian filmRed Hill, which he followed up withThe Expendables 3
XYZ Films is reportedly seeking a new director, but it isn’t known when production may finally get under way on this long-delayedremake. Do you think this remake will ever get off the ground? Or would you rather seeIko Uwaisand directorGareth Edwardscome back forThe Raid 3instead? Let us know what you think, and stay tuned for more details.
