Back in March 2014, it looked like Screen Gems' remake of The Raid was getting back on the right track, with Patrick Hughes (The Expendables 3) coming aboard to direct, Frank Grillo set to star and Taylor Kitsch being 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 Board reports that both director Patrick Hughes and distributor Screen Gems have backed away from the remake, leaving XYZ Films as the sole production company.
The original 2012 Indonesian film The Raid: Redemption centered on an elite police force tasked with raiding a 30-story building filled with the most dangerous villains in the city. Star Iko Uwais and director Gareth Edwards reunited for the 2014 sequel The Raid 2. Neither movie made a huge splash at the box office, with The Raid: Redemption earning $4.1 million and The Raid 2 taking in $2.6 million, but, although neither received a wide release, each movie was critically-acclaimed.
This report also reveals that Taylor Kitsch has backed out of the project, but Frank Grillo remains attached to star. The remake was written by Brad 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 why Patrick Hughes dropped out of The Raid, but the filmmaker has since taken the helm on the Australian film The Storm Warning, described as an epic drama based on the true story of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race disaster. The Tracking Board speculates that project may have taken precedence for the Australian-born filmmaker, especially since The Raid production schedule was being constantly shifted. Patrick Hughes made his directorial debut with the Australian film Red Hill, which he followed up with The 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-delayed remake. Do you think this remake will ever get off the ground? Or would you rather see Iko Uwais and director Gareth Edwards come back for The Raid 3 instead? Let us know what you think, and stay tuned for more details.