Growing up with John Carpenter’s classic output on constant VHS loop, you’d think the idea of a remake would rub me up the wrong way. However, I’m not the type of movie fan that gets in a pickle when one of his, and others, favourites are remade. I know can always stick the original in and be sucked back into those worlds and not bat an eyelid. We’ve had the good (ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13), the average (HALLOWEEN) and the downright dire (THE FOG) and now, after many attempts to kickstart the project, ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK (1981) is moving forward with a reboot.
Joel Silver and Studio Canal are uniting to bring a new futuristic spin on iconic antihero Snake Plissken, previously played with sardonic class by Kurt Russell in both NY and 1997 sequel ESCAPE FROM L.A. It follows New Line Cinema’s strange decision to let the rights lapse. The previous attempt, a couple of years back, saw Breck Eisner and Gerard Butler in line to direct and star before the project stalled. The two companies are hoping to launch a new franchise with plans that will include an all-new origin story and an eventual trilogy.
Many are suggesting Liam Neeson could be up for the role following close ties to Silver Pictures and Studio Canal’s collaboration on UNKNOWN and the upcoming NON-STOP. We doubt that would work though, considering he’s only a year younger than Russell. Meaning an origin tale would be pretty ridiculous.
Who would be your choice to take direct and star as Plissken?
Source: Deadline
