Escape From New York

Leigh Whannell will write a new Snake Plissken script.

It looks like Fox is determined to remake John Carpenter’s classic Escape from New York. The studio has set its sights on Robert Rodriguez, of Sin City, From Dusk Till Dawn, and Machete to direct.

A remake of Escape From New York has been in development for years, but when Fox hired Luther creator Neil Cross to write the screenplay last fall, it seemed like the project was finally picking up some legitimate steam. It’s been over a year since we last heard anything about the remake of John Carpenter’s cult classic, but a new report has revealed several key plot details from the film — which doesn’t sound like much of a remake at all.

Back in 2012, Luc Besson co-wrote and produced the sci-fi action flick Lockout — better known to some as Space Jail, a title affectionately bestowed upon the film by the people of the internet. If you saw the film — or even just the trailer — then you probably noticed some very obvious similarities between Lockout and Escape From New York, John Carpenter’s classic film that basically has the same plot. You weren’t the only one.

Two of Kurt Russell’s most iconic movie characters are about to crossover, but it won’t be on the big screen. A new comic book will introduce Jack Burton from Big Trouble in Little China to Snake Plissken from Escape From New York for a six-issue crossover event that finds both of Russell’s classic action heroes teaming up for a wild adventure. And the best part? John Carpenter — who directed Russell in both films — has given his official approval.

These remakes, reboots, re-whatever-you-want-to-call-them are going to keep happening whether you like it or not. One of the nuttier concepts is the long-developing remake of John Carpenter’s cult classic Escape From New York — the good news is that Carpenter himself is creatively overseeing and executive producing the project, and the other good news is that Luther creator Neil Cross has been tapped to write the screenplay. This thing might turn out okay.

Last we heard, an ‘Escape From New York’ remake was in the works, with actors like Tom Hardy, Jason Statham, and Charlie Hunnam reportedly being considered to play the role originated by Kurt Russell in John Carpenter’s classic 1981 film. The possibility of that remake has now become a reality, as Fox has won the rights to distribute the film, with Carpenter returning to produce and oversee the creative development of the project.

Hollywood is always threatening to remake John Carpenter's action classic 'Escape From New York,' but so far, such a thing has failed to materialize. However, it's recently come to light that the always-pending remake isn't the only recent attempt to revive the character of Snake Plissken, who was so memorably played by Kurt Russell. It seems that Snake almost came back as the star of his own vide

Although remaking John Carpenter's 'Escape From New York' is the kind of thing that makes us quietly shake our heads and contemplate developing a drinking problem, we'll be the first to admit that sliding an actor like Jason Statham or Tom Hardy into the lead role will go a long way toward alleviating the pain.

Producer Joel Silver has his sights set on 'Escape From New York' teaming with production company StudioCanal to remake the classic 1980s film and bring Snake Plissken back to the big screen.