New film from the "Havoc" director in planning
Casting has already begun
After his brutal Netflix action film "Havoc" with Tom Hardy, director Gareth Evans is turning his attention to a very special project. Hollywood insider Jeff Sneider reports on his blog that Evans is now devoting himself to a remake of the classic "A Colt is My Passport".
There have been rumors about a remake for around a year. Now, however, things seem to be moving forward, as casting has already begun. The film is to be set in the present day, but no further details about the plot or cast are yet known.
"A Colt Is My Passport" comes from the golden era of Japanese cinema in the 1960s. Director Takashi Nomura created a minimalist thriller about a contract killer who becomes the hunted after a job. The film relies on reduced dialog, cool imagery and a finale in a barren, desert-like setting – strongly reminiscent of the iconic duels of the Italian westerns. Whether the remake can capture the charm of the original remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that anyone familiar with Evans' previous works can look forward to a well thought-out action drama. There is no start date.
Gareth Evans: The master of modern action – his most important films at a glance
Over the last decade and a half, Gareth Evans has established himself as one of the most influential directors of modern action cinema. The British filmmaker is known for his uncompromising visual language, breathtaking fight choreography and his ability to use brute force in a cinematically elegant and narratively meaningful way. With films such as "The Raid", "Apostle" and most recently "Havoc", Evans has given new impetus to the genre – both visually and narratively.
Merantau (2009): The beginning of a new wave of action
"Merantau" marked the beginning of Evans' collaboration with Indonesian martial arts fighter Iko Uwais – a partnership that was to play a decisive role in shaping modern action cinema. The film tells the story of a young man who leaves his homeland to take part in the traditional "Merantau" ritual and gets caught up in a human trafficking ring. Even here, Evans shows his talent for combining traditional martial arts elements with a modern aesthetic. The film was celebrated internationally above all for its spectacular silat fight scenes – a martial art that received worldwide attention for the first time thanks to Evans.
The Raid (2011): The international breakthrough
Gareth Evans hit the big time with "The Raid". The Indonesian action thriller is now considered a milestone in the genre. The premise is simple but effective: a special unit is sent to storm a high-rise building where a drug lord resides – but they walk into a trap. What follows is a merciless fight for survival, floor by floor.
Evans succeeds in generating maximum tension and incredible action from this claustrophobic situation. The camerawork is dynamic, the choreography precise and brutal, the dramaturgy taut. "The Raid" was celebrated internationally, screened at numerous festivals and quickly became a cult film. Hollywood also showed interest – and Evans was suddenly a sought-after name.
The Raid 2 (2014): More than just action
Three years later, Evans followed up with "The Raid 2" – and exceeded expectations. Instead of relying on a minimalist scenario, he expanded the plot, interweaving political corruption, mafia entanglements and personal revenge stories. The action remains outstanding – from a legendary prison fight in the mud to an impressively staged car chase duel. But "The Raid 2" also proves that Evans is an excellent storyteller who masterfully combines character depth and stylistic finesse.
Apostle (2018): An excursion into horror
With "Apostle", Evans ventured into a new genre: horror with an occult twist. Set in 1905, the film follows a man (Dan Stevens) who sets off to a remote island to free his kidnapped sister from the clutches of a religious cult. Visually opulent and atmospherically dense, "Apostle" is a dark, slow but powerful film – very different from the fast-paced "Raid" films, but no less impressive. It shows that Evans can do far more than just martial arts action.
Havoc (2025): A return to hard action
With "Havoc", his new film for Netflix, Gareth Evans returned to his roots in 2025 – uncompromising action. In the lead role: Tom Hardy as a washed-up investigator who dives into the underworld of a city after a drug deal goes wrong in order to rescue a politician's son who has disappeared. In the process, he stumbles upon a web of corruption and violence.
"Havoc" is dirty, brutal and intense – a genuine neo-noir action thriller. Evans directs with his usual flair for choreography, but also uses narrative shades of gray to make the character of his anti-hero psychologically tangible. The film combines classic elements of the police thriller with modern action and a nihilistic mood. After "Apostle" and "Gangs of London", Evans proves once again that he is not only an action director but also a visually sophisticated storyteller.
Further works: Gangs of London and upcoming projects
In addition to his films, Evans has also made a name for himself as a series creator. With "Gangs of London" (2020), he created one of the most brutal and visually ambitious gangster series of recent years. The series mixes family drama with ultra-brutal action – and has also become a surprise success thanks to Evans' signature style.
Conclusion: A director with style, precision and passion
Gareth Evans stands for action cinema that not only convinces through violence, but also through style, timing and visual sensitivity. Whether in Indonesia, England or Hollywood – he knows how to make stories physically tangible. With each new project, he proves that he is far more than just a director of violent films. He is a storyteller with a razor-sharp eye – and a clear sense of the emotional power of cinema.