There are still questions about whetherThe Raid 3will happen, even though it’s been 13 years sinceThe Raid: Redemptionwas released.Gareth Evans’Raidmovies,which introduced the world to the Indonesian Pencak Silat martial arts, are some of the most influential action movies of the 2010s. The movies were so successful with both critics and audiences that they not only became cult classics, but also made the leading man in the franchise, Iko Uwais, a star who went on to work on notable films such asThe Expendables.
Over the years sinceThe Raid 2was released, there have been discussions about a possible sequel, but so far, nothing has resulted from them. In 2022, it was announced that there would be aremake ofThe Raidwith Michael Bay and Patrick Hughes at the helm (viaDeadline). Although some audiences would have preferred a third movie from Evans instead, it seems likeThe Raidremake is going full steam ahead. However, despite this new direction for the franchise, the lack of movement onThe Raid 3is, for many, a concerning sign for the franchise’s future.
The Raid 3 Was Once In The Cards But Is No Longer Happening
Gareth Evans Wanted To Take A Break From Making Martial Arts Movies
A sequel toThe Raid 2,The Raid 3was supposed to happenbut is no longer a possibility. Gareth Evans, the director ofThe Raidfilms, had planned to add a third installment to the franchise. The filmmaker even had an idea of what the third movie would be about. Before he could bring his idea to life,Evans wanted to take a two to three-year break from making martial arts moviesso he could focus on other projects. “I’m not touching The Raid 3 for a couple of years from now,” said Evans in 2014 (viaMetro).
10 Harsh Realities Of Rewatching The Raid, 13 Years Later
The Raid: Redemption may be one of the best modern martial arts movies, but it certainly isn’t without flaws, being mostly raw, unfiltered combat.
Evans later changed his mind and announced that he wouldn’t be makingThe Raid 3after all. Despite having an idea of which direction he would go with the movie, Evans felt that he wasn’t in the right headspace. After Evans moved back to the UK, the filmmaker decided that he was closing the chapter onThe Raidfranchise.The Raid 2had a satisfying ending and although the interest to add another movie to the franchise is still there,Evans would likely not be part of it if it were to happen. “So never say never, but it’s unlikely to happenanytime soon,” said Evans (viaImpact Online), confirming his distance from the project.
The Raid 3 Was Supposed To Take Place During The Events Of The Raid 2
AlthoughThe Raid 2wrapped up nicely, there was still room for an interesting storyline forThe Raid 3. While speaking on theEmpire Spoiler Special Podcast, Evans revealed the plot forThe Raid 3.The director felt that Rama’s story was complete, so he wasn’t going to put the leading man in the line of fire again, seeing that he had a wife and child. Instead,the movie would have gone back in time and focused on the Goto crime family,withRama expected to take on a minor role inThe Raid 3.
The Raid 3was supposed to have a time jump and go back to the moment in the meeting between the Goto gang and the Japanese gang whenGoto ordered his right-hand man to kill every corrupt police officer and politician in the city. Instead of doing what he was told, his right-hand man would have gone behind Goto’s back and reported him to their Japanese boss, who then ordered a hit on Goto.
Evans also revealed that Goto’s son would have been killed in the war, and they would have discovered that it was Goto’s right-hand man who betrayed them.
However, Goto survived the attack and went into hiding in the Indonesian jungle. He would have linked up with a mafia boss, who offered Goto protection. An all-out war between the Japanese kill squad and the guerrilla kids would have followed. Evans also revealed that Goto’s son would have been killed in the war, and they would have discovered that it was Goto’s right-hand man who betrayed them. This would have been an intriguing narrative direction for the franchise, introducing and centering new characters as well as expanding the story.
Gareth Evans Is No Longer Interested In Making Another Raid Movie
Gareth Evans Wants To Work On Other Projects
DespiteThe Raidmovies being successful and becoming action cult classics,the films’ director is not interested in making anotherRaidmovie. When speaking on theEmpire Spoiler Special Podcast, Evans explained whyThe Raid 3would not be happening. “I couldn’t see myself going back out to make The Raid 3. My interests had moved on to other projects,” said Evans. The director explained that he wants to work with other people and try new stories, underlining his determination to pursue other creative endeavors.
Gareth Evans' notable movies and TV shows:
2009
2011
2013
2014
2018
Gangs of London
2020
Evans also expressed that a lot of time has passed sinceThe Raid 2, so he is not likely to return to the franchise, even though he enjoyed creating the movies (viaSlashfilm). He has since worked on other movies and shows, including the Netflix horror film,Apostle, the popular British crime series,Gangs of London, and the short filmPre Vis Action. Given this range of projects, it’s fair to say that Evans has been busy since leavingThe Raid 3behind.
