Netflix Is Remaking the Action Thriller That Inspired ‘Speed’

Netflix Is Remaking the Action Thriller That Inspired 'Speed'

As a seasoned movie critic with over three decades of experience, I’ve had the privilege to witness the evolution of action-packed cinema. The announcement of Netflix‘s reboot, Bullet Train Explosion, has certainly caught my attention. Having grown up watching the original Speed on VHS tapes, it’s intriguing to see how this Japanese adaptation will compare.


In 2025, the streaming service will carry on with its action-packed productions, this time reviving the action thriller that spawned the iconic ’90s film starring Keanu Reeves, which we all know as Speed. The new production has been aptly named Bullet Train Explosion, and it’s part of a series of upcoming movies being developed by Netflix to highlight its global endeavors.

Titled “Explosive Bullet Train” (a fitting, straight-forward title for an action film), this upcoming production originates from Japan and serves as a contemporary reimagining of the 1975 film “The Bullet Train,” directed by Junya Sato and produced by Toei. Directed by Shinji Higuchi and starring Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, “Explosive Bullet Train” will maintain a pulse-pounding storyline similar to its predecessors, placing viewers aboard the speeding train that cannot slow down without risking an explosion. For additional information about “Explosive Bullet Train,” please refer to Deadline’s report below.

Fifty years after the original Bullet Train movie, this film served as the inspiration for Hollywood’s Speed. Director Shinji Higuchi, who is known for combining breathtaking visuals with compelling human drama, such as in Shin Godzilla, once again delivers a nail-biting suspense thriller that portrays the hardships faced by individuals racing against time to save lives in harsh circumstances.

Will We Ever See a ‘Speed 3’?

Netflix Is Remaking the Action Thriller That Inspired 'Speed'Netflix Is Remaking the Action Thriller That Inspired 'Speed'Netflix Is Remaking the Action Thriller That Inspired 'Speed'

Absolutely, both movies “The Bullet Train” and “Bullet Train Explosion” place their storylines on a train, but the movie “Speed” shifted the action onto a bus. Ever since then, fans have been eagerly anticipating another nerve-wracking journey with Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock in a similar setting.

In this rephrased version, John Wick’s actor Keanu Reeves teams up with Sandra Bullock from The Lost City in a movie where they’re at the mercy of Dennis Hopper’s vindictive terrorist. The plot revolves around Jack Traven, an overconfident LAPD SWAT officer portrayed by Reeves, who races against time to prevent a bus rigged with explosives from falling below 50 miles per hour. This high-octane adventure received positive reviews and made significant money at the box office. However, its sequel, Speed 2: Cruise Control (1997), paled in comparison to the original’s appeal.

Could it be possible that we’ll eventually watch “Speed 3”? There seems to be positive news on the horizon for the long-delayed sequel, as Steve Asbell, head of 20th Century Studios, has given a hopeful update following Sandra Bullock’s recent statement suggesting that Hollywood is no longer daring enough to create a legacy threequel to the beloved action thriller about the bus that wouldn’t slow down.

Hollywood is bold enough, and so are we. We’re waiting by the phone with anticipation (laughs). This is one of those last movies that we haven’t remade yet. To make it worth returning, the concept needs to be exceptional and thrilling for Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves. After all, they would be the reason to watch it. The title is significant for us, and we won’t take it lightly or force them into it. Instead, they should be involved in shaping the idea itself.

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2024-11-21 16:01