http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWlmhMSnVdM
By Halls
Well that was quick: Fresh from tearing it up during the international film festival circuits, Indonesian action film The Raid has been picked up for a Hollywood remake. The Hollywood Reporter reports that Screen Gems is in negotiations on a remake of the film that recently became quite a sensation at the Toronto International Film Festival. It’s only been a few days since the end of TIFF, but boy do these studios move quick.
The Raid made waves during the TIFF and is regarded as one of THE BEST action films in years. Among other forms of violence, the film features a particularly unique Indonesian martial art called silat.
How this unique aspect would be handled by a remake is not clear although Screen Gems is aware the unique fighting style is one of the movie’s strengths.
My take: This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. Many international films that draw acclaim during the festival circuit are almost destined for Hollywood remakes. Among recent standouts, the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo comes to mind. Unfortunately, few of the original international films get theatrical releases for US audiences.
So what do you guys think? How will the studios handle the unique martial art of silat? Who would you like to see cast in this film? Are subtitles too much for American audiences? Who reads anymore? I don’t even know how to read. Anyways, keep a lookout for The Raid, starring Channing Joseph Gordon Gosling Edgerton Hardy.
