“We’d Never Done Something Like That Before”: Behind the Challenges of the Oldboy Homage in Leverage: Redemption Season 3

In the latest episode titled “The Shakedown In Clone-Town Job” from Leverage: Redemption, notable actress Beth Riesgraf steps into the role of director, showcasing a captivating fight sequence inspired by the iconic Korean film, Oldboy. This sequel to the acclaimed 2008 series Leverage follows a team of skilled criminals challenging the corrupt elite, and introduces fresh characters alongside familiar faces.

In this Season 3 episode, the storyline unfolds as Parker (portrayed by Riesgraf), Eliot (Christian Kane), and Sophie (Gina Bellman) contend with corruption in a small town after falling victim to a deceptive speed trap. Their investigation uncovers even deeper issues within the community, ultimately culminating in an exhilarating fight scene reminiscent of the celebrated hallway sequence from Oldboy. This pivotal moment in the film is characterized by its unbroken shot, which captured the protagonist’s relentless quest for revenge after years of unjust imprisonment, leaving a lasting impression on action cinema.

Beth Riesgraf has already made her mark by directing five episodes of Leverage: Redemption, including Season 1’s “The Bucket Job” and “The Great Train Job,” as well as Season 2’s “The Tournament Job” and “The Turkish Prisoner Job.” Her evolution as a director is noteworthy, particularly in how she balances creativity with the iconic essence of the original series.

Leverage: Redemption Season 3’s Homage to Oldboy Presents Logistical Challenges

One Star Was Absent For Part of the Filming

Team members strategizing in the headquarters
Eliot in the midst of a fight scene
Filming of the Oldboy homage

Bringing action sequences to life can present numerous challenges. Given the significant role of the “Hitter”in both Leverage and Leverage: Redemption, the series regularly features intense confrontations central to its storytelling. In “The Shakedown In Clone-Town Job,” the stakes are elevated, presenting a more intricate action sequence.

This particular segment draws inspiration from Oldboy, a choice Riesgraf, an admirer of its cinematic fight sequence, excitedly embraced. In an interview with Screen Rant, she expressed her enthusiasm about creating an homage to the film’s memorable corridor scene:

The fight sequence that I designed is an homage to the corridor shot from the South Korean film, Oldboy. We’d never done something like that before, so as soon as I read it, I thought about where we could film this in a trackable location to capture that amazing shot that I love.

Despite the creative impetus, Riesgraf faced substantial logistical hurdles. Notably, Christian Kane, a central figure in Leverage since its inception, also stars in the upcoming sequel to The Librarians. His shooting schedule required him to be in Serbia for part of the filming, which complicated the process.

Riesgraf explained:

…it was difficult logistically because Dean needed him in Serbia for half of the episode to film Librarians. So, one of my main players was going to be absent. Coordinating everything was quite challenging.

Leverage: Redemption’s Oldboy Tribute Exemplifies the Reboot’s Strengths

Leverage: Redemption Encourages Experimentation

Beth Riesgraf as Parker displaying confidence

The original Leverage series was renowned for its imaginative storytelling, employing innovative structures such as the Rashomon narrative, where multiple perspectives told the same story. It occasionally featured episodes focused solely on specific characters, particularly the female leads. However, opportunities for experimental storytelling were somewhat limited.

Leverage: Redemption allows for more freedom in terms of narrative style, exploration of themes, and character interactions. This new series iteration is not only a continuation of the fan-favorite show but elevates it with a distinct artistic flair. Showrunner Dean Devlin has acknowledged the past perception of the original as “escapist television,” though he emphasizes its critical role in viewers’ lives:

The beautiful comments we receive from audiences, saying things like, “I couldn’t get through my cancer treatment without that crazy band of thieves”or, “I don’t know if I could have coped with the loss of my husband if I hadn’t seen Parker handle the world the way she does,”highlight its importance. It may be viewed as lessartistic, but it’s still a vital part of the cultural fabric.

With Leverage: Redemption, the production aims to satisfy both fans and critics, introducing an artistic dimension to this form of “escapism.”

Oldboy’s Hallway Fight Scene Influences Various Movies and TV Shows

Oldboy’s Hallway Fight Revolutionized Action Cinema

Daredevil preparing for the hallway fight
Daredevil engaging in the fight
Scene from Oldboy hallway fight
Daredevil rescuing the child after the fight

It’s worth noting that Leverage: Redemption joins a long list of works paying tribute to Oldboy as a form of “escapist”art. A standout homage appears in the first season of Marvel’s Daredevil, where Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) reenacts a similarly stylized fight sequence to rescue a child, paralleling the journey depicted in Oldboy.

Behind the scenes, Daredevil faced its own challenges, from accidental injuries to scheduling conflicts with child actors. Yet, the series successfully navigated these obstacles, creating a gripping narrative steeped in the same approach to action as seen in Leverage: Redemption.

Notable films such as The Raid, John Wick, and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story have all paid homage to Oldboy, cementing this single-shot fighting style as a cornerstone of the action genre. While complex to execute, the resulting impact rewarding both the creators and the audience alike. Riesgraf and the production team managed to deliver a remarkable homage, complete with dynamic elements like motorcyclists, successfully rising to the occasion in ways previously unseen in the series.

Riesgraf’s commitment to infusing her unique vision into Leverage: Redemption is crucial for maintaining the freshness and appeal of the series for dedicated fans.

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