Writer-director Gareth Huw Evans has begun production on ‘The Raid 2 (Berandal),’ the sequel to his popular 2011 action crime thriller ‘The Raid: Redemption.’ The follow-up reunites the filmmaker with actor Iko Uwais, who will be reprising his role as Rama from the acclaimed original film.
Ario Sagantoro will be producing ‘The Raid 2′ for PT Merantau Films, along with Nate Bolotin, Nick Spicer, Aram Tertzakian and Todd Brown for XYZ Films. Rangga Maya Barack-Evans and Irwan D. Mussry will serve as executive producers on the anticipated sequel.
Joining Uwais in the cast are Tio Pakusadewo, Purtra Arifin Scheunamann, Julie Estelle, Alex Abbad and Roy Marten. ‘The Raid 2′ is currently filming in Jakarta, Indonesia, and is scheduled to shoot for over 100 days. The sequel, which picks up right after the first film ends, follows Rama as he goes undercover. He infiltrates the ranks of a ruthless Jakarta crime organization in order to protect his family and uncover the corruption in his own police force.
While speaking about filming ‘The Raid 2,’ Evans thanked the first movie’s fans for their support. “We can’t wait to come back and show you what we have been working on. We’ll be there in 2014 with a film bigger, better and bloodier! Wish us luck,” he said.
Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions (SPWA) acquired ‘The Raid 2′ for the United States, Spain, Latin America and South Africa. Like its predecessor, Sony Pictures Classics will once again release the crime sequel theatrically in the United States.
“We’re incredibly excited to start the next chapter of ‘The Raid’ story,” XYZ Films said of the sequel. “Gareth introduced a rich and fertile world in the first film, and we’re eager to see him expand on that vision.”
‘The Raid 2′ comes after the first film premiered at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival. While at the festival, ‘The Raid’ won the Audience Award in the Midnight Madness section. It later went on to screen at Sundance and SXSW, before it was released theatrically in America by Sony Pictures Classics. The movie is on track in earning $15 million at the global box office.
Written by: Karen Benardello
Check out some behind-the-scenes photos from ‘The Raid 2′ production below.
