'The Raid' sequel is picked up by Sony Pictures

There hasn't been a martial arts movie in years that has the sort of crazed following The Raid has earned over the last year. The Indonesian martial arts masterpiece has been tearing up the festival circuit, and at the screening I attended at Sundance people were going absolutely nuts over it(my review here). Directed by Gareth Evans and starring international superstar Iko Uwais, the pair first introduced the cinematic world to the fast paced fighting style known as silat in the film, Merantau, before expanding it even further with The Raid. As Sony Pictures readies it for a March 23rd United States release, and a sequel all but confirmed, the studio is making sure they stay a part of the action.

Sony has scored the US and Latin American rights to the sequel, tentatively titled Berandal. Evans will be back to direct, and of course silat superstar Uwais will be returning as well. The budget will be significantly larger, which worries me because it may be too polished, but the story remains under wraps. Filming should begin in Jakarta by the end of the year.

Screen Gems is also prepping an English remake of the film, which follows a SWAT team as they mount a raid on a druglord's fortified high rise apartment full of armed thugs.  I'm hoping that one goes the way of the Battle Royale remake and dies a rapid fire death.  [Deadline]