'The Raid' Director Gareth Evans Takes on Yakuza Remake: 'A Colt Is My Passport' 🔥

 Gareth Evans to Remake Classic Yakuza Thriller 'A Colt Is My Passport' for Amazon MGM

Big news for action and crime film aficionados! Gareth Evans, the visionary writer-director celebrated for his groundbreaking work on The Raid franchise and the recent Amazon MGM hit Havoc, is officially set to helm a remake of the iconic 1967 Yakuza thriller, A Colt Is My Passport. This highly anticipated project will be brought to audiences by Amazon MGM’s Orion Pictures, as first reported by TheInSneider.

Evans's involvement promises a fresh, modern take on a beloved classic. The original A Colt Is My Passport, directed by Takashi Nomura, is a gritty and stylish masterpiece of Japanese cinema. It stars the legendary Joe Shishido (known for his roles in Cruel Gun Story and numerous Nikkatsu productions) as a cold, methodical hitman. His mission: to assassinate a rival yakuza boss. After successfully carrying out the hit, he and his partner, played by Jerry Fujio, find themselves in a precarious situation. All escape routes from the country are sealed off, with every airport under surveillance by the vengeful yakuza.

Forced to lay low, Shishido and Fujio are instructed to hide out at a remote truck stop outside of town, awaiting a safer opportunity to flee. However, the dangerous game of yakuza politics takes an unexpected turn. While they wait, Shishido’s boss brokers a deceptive peace with the son of the recently murdered rival, forming a new, treacherous alliance. To solidify this new bond and ensure friendly relations, the ultimate sacrifice is demanded: Shishido himself. His boss, in a chilling act of betrayal, is all too willing to give him up.

Gareth Evans’s connection to A Colt Is My Passport is a personal one. He discovered the film during the pandemic while Browse the Criterion Channel and, as he shared, "quickly fell in love." This newfound admiration led him to introduce the film at the 2023 L’Etrange Festival, where he also penned a heartfelt tribute, revealing his deep appreciation for the original's unique style and narrative.

While specific production details, casting announcements, or a release timeline for the remake are still under wraps, the mere announcement of Evans at the helm has already ignited considerable excitement among fans. Given his track record for intense action, intricate storytelling, and a keen eye for character-driven narratives, this remake has the potential to be a standout in contemporary crime cinema. We will be sure to keep you updated as more information about this thrilling project emerges.