Gareth Evans, renowned for revolutionizing the action movie genre with his acclaimed Raid series, is shifting gears to helm a remake of the 1967 Japanese crime classic A Colt Is My Passport. The project, officially announced by Amazon MGM’s Orion Pictures, marks a notable turn from Evans’ previously hinted plans for Raid 3, which will be postponed for the time being.
The original film, directed by Takashi Nomura, is a stylish fusion of gritty Japanese yakuza drama and the cool aesthetic of the French New Wave. It follows a hitman and his driver as they flee after assassinating a mob boss, a premise that clearly aligns with Evans’ signature action-packed storytelling style.
Evans only recently discovered the film during the pandemic while streaming on the Criterion Channel, where he quickly developed a deep admiration for it. His enthusiasm culminated in presenting the film at the 2023 L’Étrange Festival, accompanied by a heartfelt tribute that highlighted the film’s enduring influence on the genre.
Although whispers of a remake have circulated for years—sparked in part by Evans sharing a vintage A Colt Is My Passport poster online nearly three years ago—the announcement confirms that casting is now underway and the project is actively progressing.
While no official production start date has been revealed, fans of the film industry and action movie enthusiasts can anticipate that Evans’ signature intense and kinetic style will be front and center in this new adaptation. His impressive filmography, including The Raid franchise, Apostle, and this year’s Havoc—starring Dan Stevens and Tom Hardy—demonstrates his dedication to crafting gripping narratives with memorable characters.
With Evans at the helm, A Colt Is My Passport promises to inject new energy into the film industry’s take on classic noir and crime dramas, merging timeless storytelling with modern action sensibilities.
