Rebel Moon Director Set to Take on a Kurt Russell Classic

Zack Snyder, the director behind Rebel Moon, is taking on the remake of a 1981 cult classic, Escape from New York. It’s a thrilling announcement, given Snyder’s amazing direction in sci-fi and hero movies.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, The Picture Company, StudioCanal, and Stone Quarry will be partnering up to produce the movie. Interestingly, John Carpenter, the director of the original film, will be at the helm as executive producer of the update. Snyder, on the other hand, will be in charge of directing and writing the upcoming film.

Snyder is well-known for his other adaptations, turning them into visual masterpieces like Watchmen (2009). But social media doesn’t know what to make of the remake, given that the original film still grips their hearts to this day.

Escape from New York plot

Escape from New York follows the edgy antihero, Snake Plissken. Played by Kurt Russell, Plissken was a war hero who had fallen into infamy after attempting a robbery of the Federal Reserve. But after the president of the United States (Donald Pleasence) is taken by anti-government forces during the fictionalized Cold War, security has been left with no choice but to enlist the help of Plissken. The only problem is that Plissken has no care for either the president or the war.

At a time when warrior protagonists were often portrayed as patriots and heroes, Plissken as a character was refreshing. Paired with an eyepatch, those who’ve grown up at that time would remember Plissken and his suave appeal. He’s not out there trying to be a hero—he took the mission for his sake and no one else’s.

When the president was revealed to be a corrupt and weak man who was utilizing the government’s power for his benefit, Plissken’s contrarian streak came through. Although he mostly cared for himself, the conclusion shocked audiences and endeared Plissken into memory. In many ways, Escape from New York had a complex plot for a film at the time.

Remake details

But the details about the upcoming Escape from New York project are still scant. It’s a long wait until its theatrical release, and it could stretch out to a few years. Nevertheless, there are speculations on who might star as Plissken in the remake. Social media users have jokingly suggested Timothee Chalamet.

One post reads, “It will be a lot like Sucker Punch, but with Timothée Chalamet wearing an eye patch and stubble.”

The thought alone is enough to send shivers down any Escape from New York fan’s spine. But other voices online mentioned Glen Powell as a potential lead. The actor is notable for his cool performance as Hangman in Top Gun: Maverick (2022). If there’s anyone that could replicate that devil-may-care attitude from Plisskin, Powell has emerged as a suggestion among fans.

However, nothing’s set in stone. Whoever takes on Russell’s former role will have large shoes to fill. It’s also uncertain how Snyder will be modernizing the film or how far he’s even willing to take the plot into the future.

Much of the former plot revolved around themes of moral panic and American exceptionalism. To take those elements in the age of AI and information would be an interesting spin to see from Snyder, who’s no stranger to sci-fi or adapting movies.

(featured image: MovieClips)

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