Netflix is working on an American remake of the Indonesian action film "The Raid," Deadline reported.

The remake will be produced by Michael Bay and directed by Patrick Hughes, best known for his work on "The Expendables 3" and "Hitman's Bodyguard."

The re-release takes place in Philadelphia's "drug-infested Badlands," where "an elite undercover DEA unit climbs the ladder of cartel informants to catch the elusive Kingpin."

"The Raid" was released in 2011 and has since developed a cult following. Directed by Gareth Evans (who is also the executive producer of the remake), the action film follows an elite police force attempting to infiltrate a high-rise building owned by a drug lord. Eventually they are trapped inside the building and forced to fight their way up to the top floor.

The film received critical acclaim for its elaborately choreographed fight scenes and furious pacing. The warm reception from viewers and the modest financial success of the film led to a sequel in 2014, and a third film was considered, but was never made.

An American remake of The Raid was envisioned for nearly a decade, but has never materialized. Faces such as Chris Hemsworth, Liam Hemsworth, and Frank Grillo have appeared in previous remakes, but no casting information has been released for Netflix's attempt. Likewise, no release date has yet been announced, but it would be 2023 at the earliest.

Even at this early stage, the prospect of an American remake of The Raid seems more than a little disingenuous. First, the original is not old enough to be outdated, and its emphasis on action spectacle means that nothing would be lost by translating it.

The history of cinema is littered with American remakes that never quite capture the essence of what made the original film beloved; need we recall Spike Lee's painful attempt to remake the Korean thriller "Old Boy" in 2013? Let's hope that this remake of "The Raid" doesn't miss the mark as spectacularly as it did.

Of course, the director of the original, Gareth Evans, is on board as executive producer, and while he will not write or direct, he will have some input. Hopefully this will prevent any deviation from what makes the original a great film. ......

That said, "The Raid" is often counted among the best action films of all time, so it seems foolish to remake it. Still, we'll reserve full judgment until the finished product is released, and perhaps Netflix will surprise us.