Three of Hollywood’s biggest action filmmakers – Michael Bay, Gareth Evans and Patrick Hughes – are working on a new remake of the 2011 cult classic action thriller, The Raid, for Netflix. Hughes, who’s known for directing the The Hitman’s Bodyguard series, is set to helm The Raid‘s upcoming reimagining, Deadline is reporting.
Bay will serve as a producer with XYZ Films on the new feature. Evans, who wrote, helmed, edited and choreographed the original drama and its 2014 sequel, The Raid 2, has signed on to return to the franchise to executive produce its next installment with Range Media. Hughes and James Beaufort have signed on to co-scribe the remake’s script.
The Raid, which was shot and set in Indonesia, premiered at the Toronto Film Festival. After its screening, the drama garnered instant acclaim for its action sequences, and Evans quickly became one of the festival’s biggest stars. Hollywood has since been trying to reboot the series.
The original thriller follows an elite Indonesian S.W.A.T. team that becomes trapped in a tenement run by a ruthless mobster and his army of killers. The film starred Iko Uwais, who previously worked with Evans on another action feature, Merantau, as well as Joe Taslim and Donny Alamsyah.
The upcoming version of The Raid is set in Philadelphia’s drug-infested Badlands. The plot follows an elite undercover DEA task force sets out to climb a ladder of cartel informants in order to catch an elusive kingpin.
“We’re incredibly excited about Patrick’s unique vision for this film. It’s a distinctly original take on the material, which promises to pay great respect to the original film while also bringing a fresh approach and perspective that will set its own course in the action genre,” the reimagining’s producers said.
Bay, Evans and Hughes secured the to remake The Raid after the original movie’s rights lapsed on Hollywood’s most recent attempt at rebooting it. When that happened, Bay and Hughes’ reps at WME suggested to them individually that they take a chance at becoming involved in rebooting the franchise, and both filmmakers agreed.
Since Bay and Hughes share reps, they were introduced to each other, and they instantly bonded over their experiences in, and love of, the action genre. Hughes’ idea for The Raid reimagining’s story not only excited Bay, but was also approved by Evans.
The trio then shopped the idea around Hollywood, where Netflix expressed interest in picking up the distribution rights.
Following a lengthy negotiation, the filmmakers and stream service recently closed a deal.