Lionsgate is to produce an English-language remake of Indian action film Kill with 87Eleven Entertainment, one of the production companies behind Lionsgate’s John Wick franchise.
The US premiere of the original Hindi-language version Kill will take place on Thursday, July 4, at the beginning of the Independence Day holiday. The UK (also via Lionsgate) as well as India will open on July 5.
Chad Steahelski, director of all four John Wick films, Jason Spitz and Alex Young are producing the English-language version.
Written and directed by Nikhil Nagesh Bhat, Kill, which was the first runner up for the People’s Choice Midnight Madness Award at last September’s Toronto International Film Festival, is about two commandos who confront a gang of thieves on an express train to New Delhi. Single-named newcomer Lakshya stars alongside Raghav Juyal and Tanya Maniktala. Karan Johar and Apoorva mehta from Dharma Productions, Guneet monga kapoor and Achin jain from Sikhya Entertainment are the producers.
Commenting on the remake, Stahelski said: “Kill is one of the most vivid, wild and creative action movies I’ve seen recently. Nikhil delivers action sequences which need to be seen as widely as possible. It’s exciting that we’re developing an English-language edition – we have huge shoes to fill, and I’m looking to work with Nikhil and Karan to achieve this.” Kill! It was like watching a vision come to life. We are excited that 87Eleven Entertainment, as we prepare for our global release of our film, will produce a remake in English. It has been an incredible pleasure to partner with Lionsgate. The award-winning studio that produces genre-defining action films, this partnership is incredibly rewarding. This announcement is unprecedented and a great win for Indian cinema. “We are truly honored.”
