INITIALLY, filmmaker Syafiq Yusof was hesitant about the third installment of his action comedy film Abang Long Fadil, first released in cinemas in 2014.
But when he was informed of Abang Long Fadil 2’s highly-encouraging cinema earnings - now standing at RM16 million and counting, the 24-year-old decided for a second sequel.
“Our initial target was to collect more than the first film which was RM4.6 million,” Syafiq said.
“We never expected to get almost quadruple the amount! We’re more than thankful.”
Abang Long Fadil 2, starring
Zizan Razak, Wak Doyok and Datuk AC Mizal opened in cinemas on Aug 24.
A representative from its distributor Astro Shaw said the film would continue its run in the cinemas as long as there was demand.
The film which depicts former gangster Fadil’s misadventures after being mistaken for an assassin was also screened at selected cinemas in Singapore and Brunei.
Syafiq and his team at Skop Productions did not put too much expectation on it being a huge success since it was a norm that sequels did not fare very well. More so when the film had to compete with other foreign films at the cinemas.
For the next installment, the young director will be looking at increasing the number of action and comedy scenes.
Abang Long Fadil 2 marked Syafiq’s sixth movie. His other works include SAM: Saya Amat Mencintaimu, Desolasi and Villa Nabila.
Thanking his director-producer father Datuk Yusof Haslam for the financial assistance and moral support, Syafiq said he would not have been able to churn big screen gems or even become a filmmaker if not for his father.
“At 16, I acted in dad’s Roda Roda Kuala Lumpur tv series. I received praise for it but wherever I went, I heard people singing the show’s theme song.
“I felt like they were mocking me, so from that moment on, I swore to never act again,” said Syafiq, laughing.
“I believe I’m meant to stay behind the cameras.”
Syafiq’s next film is the police actioner KL Special Force which is set for a November release. It stars Datuk Rosyam Nor and Fattah Amin.