They may not have lit up the box office, but Gareth Evans’s pair of bloody Indonesian action movies – “The Raid: Redemption” and “The Raid 2: Berandal” – have caught the attention of Hollywood and, in fact, the North American remake rights to the first film were scooped up not long after its successful TIFF Midnight Madness screening. While it seemed the U.S. remake of “The Raid” was finally gathering steam – it locked up both a writer and director earlier this year – things have since slowed down.
Variety reports the remake, which had “The Expendables 3” helmer Patrick Hughes slated to direct with “Out Of The Furnace” scribe Brad Ingelsby penning the script, will be delayed a bit. Shooting was set to begin this September but has now been postponed to “the first quarter of 2015.”
There’s no clear reason given for the delay, but given that the Hemsworth brothers were on the producers’ wishlists – which obviously hasn’t panned out – and that word is now that Luke Evans, Anthony Mackie, Frank Grillo and Ethan Hawke are being sought for the ensemble cast but with no final offers made yet, it seems like the studio needs a bit more time to figure out just who the hell is starring in this thing. The trade even notes “that one reason for the delay is that producers are seeking a bigger name.” Like a Hemsworth, perhaps?
Fear not however, delay or not Screen Gems is hell bent on remaking this thing and yes, “Hughes is still on board to direct.”