Report: A COLT IS MY PASSPORT Remake In The Works From ‘Havoc’ Director
Word has it that Gareth Evans is poised to direct a remake of 1967 crime noir, A Colt Is My Passport. Production and casting details are unknown but that’s the word according to several websites including World Of Reel citing Jeff Sneider’s exclusive reporting via The InSneider.
Takashi Nomura’s original film stars Joe Shishido and Jerry Fujio in the story of a hitman and his driver who are targeted by rivaling gangs who’ve joined forces following a hit-job. Evans reportedly introduced the film at the 29th edition of L’Étrange Festival with programming notes of his own, including in part the following:
“…A lean, mean pulpy thriller – it wasn’t necessarily the story that did it for me – it was the pure style and swagger of the filmmaking on display. Shigeyoshi Mine’s cinematography is just stunning, composition and lighting is way ahead of the curve for a film at this budget level. And with a game cast playing into this fusion of genres Nomura has created a gorgeous looking noir that has echoes of American crime pictures but also fascinatingly draws inspiration from Leone’s spaghetti westerns in equal measure.
“Trust me, you’ll be whistling the score by Harumi Ibe on the drive home and replaying the ferocious energy of it’s closing moments for days after. The finale in particular is straight out of the Leone playbook, Jô Shishido might as well be wearing a duster as he faces impossible odds in the most desolate of locales before being immortalized by that final iconic shot.
“It’s one for the ages and I couldn’t be more excited to share, and possibly introduce this wonderful film to you all…”
Apart from reviving Indonesian action into the mainstream with hits like Merantau, The Raid and its sequel, Evans recently directed thrillers like Apostle and action crime adventure Havoc. Evans is also best known as favorable to classic Showa-era thrillers as a source of inspiration, even leading to a poster contest for fans ahead of his latest Netflix release.
Lead image: Criterion
