THE RAID Remake: Producer Gareth Evans Wants SCOTT ADKINS And MICHAEL JAI WHITE

Writer and director Gareth Evans is an extremely busy man nowadays with the SXSW premiere of his latest film, The Raid 2, leading up to the film’s other upcoming early screenings this week before its official wide release on March 28, 2014. That said, Crave Online had the opportunity to speak to Evans on plans and hopes for the upcoming remake of his 2011 original to be directed by The Expendables 3 helmer Patrick Hughes, as well as that of the third film of Evans’ accumulating franchise.

Regarding the upcoming remake, it was previously noted upon the breaking of earlier news that actors and brothers Liam and Chris Hemsworth were being listed as possible choices to portray key characters from the original film. While talking with CraveOnline, Evans took the liberty of throwing in two more names to add to the film’s cast, as well as speaking on behalf of the currently-developing tone of the film’s cinematic martial arts veracity. He partly says “…Me on a personal level, I’d fucking love to see them put Scott Adkins in there. I’m just going to say that right off because I just think he’s great and I’ve wanted to work with him before. For him to be able to get a real, good fucking solid role like that in a studio film where it’s all about gearing up towards martial arts, something that he’s fully capable of, it’d be great. Michael Jai White would be great as well, all these guys. I could geek out about all the guys I want to see in these films and hopefully they get a chance.”.

With heavy concern also being placed on the style of action that could be incorporated in the choreography of the film, which is currently being handled by the film’s original actors, choreography duo Iko Uwais and Yayan Ruhian, Evans took the time to clarify a few points.
“I don’t think the action discipline is going to veer too far away from what we did…” he says. “What I hope they do is take the basic premise and then use that as a springboard for him to go off and create his own action style completely. You could still do that deconstruction of weaponry down to hand to hand combat. You could still do that, but they don’t have to follow scene by scene the same as we did. That’s what, for me, what is most refreshing about a remake of this as opposed to a remake of something where it’s all about following the characters and the plot exactly the same to the tee. This is an opportunity to take the bare bones of it, the crux of it and do something completely fresh. It’s like a second pass of doing different action sequences.”.

Adkins, off the heels of a successful run from late last year’s hit release, Ninja: Shadow Of A Tear, has gained a very significant following, with movements by fans to get him into Hollywood film roles such as that of Bruce Wayne in Zack Snyder’s Batman VS. Superman film, and in Fast And Furious 7 which resumes filming next month since its hiatus late last year. The actor drew even more attention when he paid a peculiar visit to the Thailand set of action star Tony Jaa’s new film, Skin Trade, in which White also stars. Fans have even gone so far as to start petitions for the actor whose biggest Hollywood film performances so far include namely X-Men Origins: Wolverine, The Expendables 2, and a limited theatrical run leading in director John Hyams’ 2012 film festival smash hit, Universal Soldier: Day Of Reckoning.

There really is no measure as to how much the fans are looking forward to seeing the Undisputed 2 and Metal Hurlant Chronicles actors back together. And considering how vocal Adkins has been in recent months about joining Evans‘ highly successful franchise in some form or another, therein lies an undeniable sense of momentum for this even happening, for which only time will tell. And it will be a pretty long wait at that. Meanwhile, The Raid 2 will be out in less than three weeks, followed by part three which goes into production in just a few years. Hughes’ next film, The Expendables 3 opens worldwide beginning in August.