Directed by action auteur Gareth Evans, the creative force behind The Raid movies, this reimagined version of Takashi Nomura’s iconic 1967 yakuza thriller aims to merge the sensibilities of classic Japanese noir with Evans’ signature intensity.
The original film followed a contract killer and his loyal driver as they fled Tokyo after successfully taking out a powerful yakuza boss. Evans’ version keeps that thrilling dynamic but moves the setting to 1978 Detroit, a city simmering with tension in post-Vietnam America.
Screenwriter Chris Webb reinvents the storyline by making the lead a Vietnam veteran turned assassin, situating the film in a time and place that mirrors the moral decay and corruption once central to the original’s postwar Japan.
Produced by Evans under One More One Productions along with Ed Talfan for Severn Screen, the remake promises a deep character-driven story beneath its stylish crime-thriller surface. Filming has already wrapped, and the project is reportedly entering post-production with an eye toward an early 2026 release.
Evans shared that his attachment to the project stems from his long admiration of Nomura’s film.
“From the moment I first saw A Colt Is My Passport, I admired how it blended Japanese noir and spaghetti western elements. It had a raw confidence, and I knew I wanted to reinterpret it in a way that modern audiences could connect to emotionally,” he explained.
The Director’s Vision: Grit and Grace in Motion
Gareth Evans has long been synonymous with kinetic filmmaking. His use of choreography, emotional tension, and grounded realism helped define The Raid and The Raid 2 as two of the most influential action films of the 21st century.
Translating that skill to A Colt Is My Passport means audiences should expect a high level of stylistic precision and brutality balanced by complex characters and noir atmosphere.
According to reports, Evans approached the adaptation as more of a reimagining than a direct remake. The goal was not to copy Nomura’s work but to reinterpret its tone and themes in an American context.
The 1978 Detroit backdrop serves as symbolic territory for the kind of lawlessness and post-war trauma that shaped both nations’ underworlds during their respective time periods. Rust Belt industrial decay replaces Tokyo’s neon sprawl, echoing the cultural collapse that fuels the story’s moral unease.
Evans’ collaboration with writer Chris Webb turned those ideas into a narrative that pays tribute to the original while standing firmly on its own.
Critics who’ve seen early footage describe the camerawork as “gritty yet poetic,” combining long takes, tight interiors, and moody lighting reminiscent of 1970s American thrillers like The French Connection and Taxi Driver.
Evans praised his team’s commitment, calling the 12-week production an intense but rewarding experience. “Every department, from fight choreography to set design, worked tirelessly to realize a vision that honors Nomura’s classic while pushing into new creative territory,” he said in a press statement.
An Ensemble Cast Built on Strength and Skill
The cast supporting this ambitious remake is one of its biggest talking points. Leading the film is Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, best known for his commanding performance in Gangs of London, another Evans project.
Dìrísù’s talent for mixing physicality with emotional nuance makes him an ideal choice to embody a haunted veteran forced into the underworld.
A Colt Is My Passport (Credit: Severn Screen)
Joining him is veteran actor Tim Roth, widely recognized for his chilling and unpredictable roles in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs. Roth’s casting signals that the new A Colt Is My Passport will retain the tension and unpredictability of classic pulp cinema while layering it with experienced gravitas.
Also on board are Jack Reynor (Sing Street), Lucy Boynton (Bohemian Rhapsody), Victor Alli (Gangs of London), Ewan Mitchell (House of the Dragon), Burn Gorman (Pacific Rim), and Noah Taylor (Edge of Tomorrow). Each actor brings notable genre experience that supports Evans’ genre-fusion approach.
Tim Roth’s return to crime-driven storytelling is especially noteworthy. Known for his complex portrayals of morally gray figures, Roth could easily steal scenes as a mentor, nemesis, or mysterious ally.
Meanwhile, Mitchell, who turned heads with his sinister role in House of the Dragon, adds a threatening energy that aligns with Evans’ preference for unpredictable characters.
With so many actors known for intensity and nuance, A Colt Is My Passport looks set to deliver both thrilling choreography and emotionally charged drama. Evans himself emphasized this balance, saying that the cast “has given these characters heart and danger in equal measure.”
From Tokyo to Detroit: A Story Reborn
One of the most striking aspects of Evans’ reimagined version is the shift from Japan’s yakuza world to late-1970s Detroit. Where the original explored postwar corruption and moral ambiguity through Japanese crime traditions, Evans’ version transposes those themes into an America racked by disillusionment after Vietnam.
The result is a film that mirrors both the despair and defiance of its source material. Detroit, with its looming factories and decaying skyline, serves as a metaphor for a country struggling to maintain its soul.
The city’s decayed grandeur provides the ideal setting for a noir thriller a place where survival demands ruthlessness and even loyalty has a price.
Evans’ ability to reconstruct the tone of one culture within another gives this adaptation its most intriguing flavor. By focusing on a protagonist disillusioned by war and drawn into murder-for-hire work, the remake adds layers of guilt and purpose missing from most conventional action films.
That focus on trauma and identity transforms the movie from a simple crime story into a reflection on how veterans are shaped by violence. In combining noir’s stylistic bleakness with Evans’s action mastery, the film seems poised to balance adrenaline and philosophy in unusual harmony.
Why Fans Are Excited for the Remake
Cinema audiences often meet remakes with skepticism, but this project’s creative pedigree makes it stand apart. Gareth Evans’ reputation for high-caliber action and Chris Webb’s sharp writing create strong expectations for authenticity and originality.
Fans of The Raid series know Evans can deliver visceral energy without sacrificing emotional storytelling a rare blend that could make A Colt Is My Passport one of the standout films of 2026.
For modern viewers unfamiliar with Nomura’s original, this version acts as both homage and introduction. Its stylized Detroit setting, acclaimed ensemble, and grounded direction promise a movie that honors film history while staking its own claim as a bold, genre-crossing thriller.
Evans’ project isn’t just retelling a classic; it’s modernizing the emotional and visual substance that made the original so enduring. By blending vintage crime tone with modern precision, A Colt Is My Passport aims to prove that a story about loyalty, betrayal, and survival remains as compelling now as it was in 1967.
As anticipation grows, one thing is clear: Gareth Evans’ bold new take is shaping up not merely as another remake, but as a genre event that honors its foundation while reloading it for the modern age.
What began as a high-profile charity event meant to promote breast cancer awareness has instead ignited a massive controversy involving one of the world’s most beloved groups- BTS.
The W Korea charity gala, originally organized to raise funds and awareness for a worthy cause, has come under severe scrutiny from both media and fans.
Many critics have accused the event of being tone-deaf and even mocking cancer patients, with several celebrities facing criticism for their behavior at the gathering.
Among the attendees were BTS members RM , J-Hope , and V , who were captured enjoying themselves at the event.
While fans initially shared clips of their presence with admiration, the tone on social media quickly shifted as viewers began questioning the appropriateness of their actions and the sincerity of their public image.
Viral Clips Spark Anger Among Fans and Critics
Clips of BTS members smiling, mingling, and singing along to (G)I-DLE’s “Tomboy” at the event spread rapidly across X (formerly Twitter).
BTS (Credit: Pinterest)
Many netizens viewed these clips as evidence that the idols were having too much fun at a supposedly solemn charity event.
In one viral post, RM, J-Hope, and V could be seen dancing and laughing together, which some fans found endearing — but others saw as insensitive behavior, given the event’s focus on breast cancer awareness.
Adding to the attention, a separate moment featuring BTS’s V with aespa’s Karina also trended online, with fans sharing and commenting on their visuals together.
However, this particular clip only fueled more online chatter, as critics argued that the night seemed more like a celebrity gala than a charity initiative.
Backlash Against BTS’s Image and “Changed Values”
While the event itself received backlash, BTS found themselves in the crossfire of disappointment from both fans and non-fans.
Critics on X accused the members of “selling out” and abandoning the values that had once defined their artistry and authenticity.
Many pointed out that BTS built their early reputation by tackling social and political issues in their music- from self-love and mental health to youth struggles and inequality- but have since become more focused on commercial success and brand collaborations.
“Everything feels so dystopian. I can’t recognize the people I’ve loved and supported for so many years anymore.”
Others echoed the sentiment, claiming that fame and luxury had fundamentally changed BTS.
“Like it or hate it, fame and money change people. We’re literally witnessing it in front of us,” another fan commented, criticizing the group’s involvement with “money-grabbing sponsorships.”
Political Silence and Accusations of Hypocrisy
The controversy deepened when fans linked BTS’s recent behavior to their silence on global issues, particularly the genocide in Gaza.
Several users noted the group’s previous reputation for addressing political and humanitarian topics, contrasting it with their current silence on major world events.
One user expressed frustration by writing:
“BTS literally built their career off political and economic discussions. How is it that not one of these rich idols could donate or speak up? It just feels like they switched up.”
This perceived lack of social responsibility has created a growing divide within BTS’s fanbase.
While some loyal fans continue to defend the group, arguing that they are unfairly targeted because of their fame, others feel betrayed and disillusioned, claiming that BTS has become “performative.”
“Love Yourself” Image Questioned
The backlash has also reopened conversations about BTS’s long-standing message of “Love Yourself, Speak Yourself.”
Once considered empowering and genuine, some fans now see it as performative branding rather than a lived principle.
A disappointed fan summarized the mood online, writing:
“It’s starting to feel like their whole ‘Love Yourself’ concept was just a marketing tool. Now that they’ve reached their goals, they’re showing their true colors. I hope they prove me wrong.”
Others described the situation as a “fall from grace”, noting that BTS’s global reputation as humble, socially aware artists has been clouded by luxury brand deals, controversial event appearances, and a perceived loss of authenticity.
A Growing Wave of Public Disillusionment
Across social media, phrases like “BTS sold out” and “BTS changed” trended as fans debated the group’s transformation.
Some expressed sadness rather than anger, lamenting the natural but painful evolution of their idols from outspoken underdogs to global celebrities tied to high-end labels and corporate agendas.
One post captured the sentiment perfectly:
“The BTS fall from grace is astonishing, honestly. Every time I think it can’t get worse, it does.”
Others urged the group to use their platform more responsibly, arguing that silence or indifference toward humanitarian crises undermines the very foundation of what made BTS special.
The Bigger Picture: Fame, Responsibility, and Public Perception
The Koreaboo report concludes that the backlash against BTS reflects a broader tension between celebrity image and social accountability in the modern entertainment world.
The W Korea event- meant to highlight compassion- instead became a mirror reflecting fans’ discontent with how fame can distort authenticity.
While BTS remains one of the most influential and respected music acts globally, this incident has undeniably dented their once-unquestioned public image.
The wave of criticism shows that for global superstars like BTS, every action, partnership, or silence carries immense weight- and fans are more vocal than ever about holding their idols accountable.
