Bigger action, more laughs
Actor Zizan razak returns for the third instalment in the Abang Long Fadil franchise.
WHAT began as a side character in the 2011 film KL Gangster, Abang Long Fadil has become a much-loved protagonist in two successful movies.
Out in cinemas today is the third instalment, Abang Long Fadil 3, which sees actor Zizan Razak reprising the titular role after the 2014 and 2017 films.
The 38-year-old said at a press conference held in Kuala Lumpur last month that he is proud with the latest film and is happy that it is finally being released on the big screen.
“Abang Long Fadil 3 was filmed in 2019, and was supposed to be released in 2020. Then Covid happened and the film got postponed.
“I myself was struck down by Covid virus and the influenza virus. I was feeling hopeless at that time, especially with the news of movie halls collecting dust and the seats growing mould after months of closure. I was worried when 2021 came and the film still wasn’t released,” Zizan said.
“But now that it is here and I am seeing it in the cinema, I feel like, ‘Oh My God, we are finally back’. It’s a satisfying feeling,” the actor said, adding that he hopes fans will flock to the cinemas to watch the third film so that it will be successful enough to warrant a fourth outing.
Worth the pain
Filmed in 77 days around Cyberjaya and Klang, the film costs RM6mil to make.
It features 90% action scenes and has one of the biggest sets made in Malaysia.
According to director Syafiq Yusof, the film only features 30% worth of computer-generated imagery (CGI). Everything else was filmed on location, including blowing up several cars and the many action set pieces.
“For the action sequences, the actors did some training prior to shooting their scenes. And when we shot the scenes, I made them do it again and again until I was happy with it.
“Some action sequences took three to four days to shoot,” the director explained.
Actress Maya Karin, who joins the franchise for the first time, said that she did some of the less dangerous action scenes herself, while her stunt double took on the more extreme ones.
“Whatever scenes that I could do myself, I did. Like the one involving a fight with Elizabeth Tan.
“For that, we practised quite a bit. And we filmed it at a warehouse where it was extremely hot, and we were sweating so much. It was exhausting, but fun.
“And Elizabeth is very sporting, so it was fun to work with her. She’s not afraid if I accidentally hit her. That makes it easier because then we can just go all out,” Maya said.
When asked if there were any injuries on set, Tan shared: “I was bruised all over doing this movie. But you can’t see it in the film because it’s all covered by makeup. And not just me, Maya and Daniella (Sya) had bruises all over too. But it was worth it.”
Out of control
In the third film, Fadil is recruited by a spy agency for a new misson.
He must take on the villain Chow Han (Johan Raja Lawak) and foil the latter’s evil plan. Unfortunately for Fadil, his old enemy, King Cobra (Datuk AC Mizal), is out to get him over a past conflict.
Syafiq said that he is always looking to “upgrade” the main character’s journey with every movie.
“In the first film, Fadil was involved with a gang. In the second one, he entered the world of mobsters.
“I thought about how I could elevate this character further for the third film, and I concluded that he would be a spy,” explained Syafiq.
While admitting that the biggest obstacle was to make the third film more interesting and entertaining than the previous two movies, Syafiq also said it was challenging to shoot as comedians Zizan and Johan were “out of control” on set at times as they were unable to contain their laughter.
Johan elaborated:
“Doing a scene with
Zizan was especially hard because we couldn’t stop laughing whenever our eyes met.”
Actress Ozlynn Waty, who is married to
Johan, also spoke on working with the two of them.
“I was quite nervous about doing scenes with
Zizan and Johan because they are comedians, and I am not. I am usually never ready for whatever improv they come up with, no matter how much I prepare myself beforehand,” she said.
“So, whenever I have scenes with them, I do end up laughing and spoiling a take. That was difficult because I didn’t want to waste everyone’s time by extending the shooting hours, which were already going into the wee hours,” Ozlynn added.
Film producer Datuk Yusof Haslam is equally proud of the end product, stating that everyone involved in making the film did their best for fans of the franchise.
“We present a fresh concept through this latest sequel. We hope that Abang Long Fadil 3 will be well received and is able to entertain everyone,” Yusof said.
Abang Long Fadil 3 opens at cinemas nationwide today.