In case you haven’t heard, Fox is still very much planning on remaking John Carpenter’s Escape from New York. They want another science fiction/action franchise to add to their roster alongside Alien, Predator, and Planet of the Apes, and they think Snake Plissken is their man for the job. Earlier today it was reported that Robert Rodriguez (Desperado, Grindhouse) was in early talks to direct the redo, which is being written by Neil Cross and produced by Carpenter. The internet will no doubt be a flutter all weekend with cries of terror and joy, as well as a never-ending sea of fancasting. In the spirit of this, I’d like to share a fan trailer that was made two years ago, right after Fox scooped up the rights…
For a clip show comprised of scenes from various other films and TV shows, it’s not bad. It gets the point across. Aside from being a curiosity, however, it happens to showcase someone who isn’t a bad choice to play Snake: Antony Starr. The lead from the fantastic short-lived Cinemax action/crime series “Banshee“, Starr has both the gruff persona and the rough-and-tumble bravado that the role requires. He can also absolutely deliver the requisite Snake humor.
Will he be chosen or even in the running? Probably not, but as we begin the inevitable wave of casting rumors that will smack us all in the face non-stop for the next few years, I find him to be a refreshing choice. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I really don’t need to see the likes of Michael Fassbender, Jeremy Renner, Charlie Hunnam, Hardy, Chris Evans, Jai Courtney, Idris Elba, Christian Bale, and so on playing this character. We don’t need a star as Snake. We need someone who can inhabit the roll. Just remember, Kurt Russell wasn’t known as an action hero before 1981. He mostly known as a former child star and TV actor before he played Plissken.
Speaking of Kurt, I’d like to put in a request right now. Since I can’t have him back as Snake for one last adventure, at least give me Kurt as Cabbie or the President. Preferably with him in full-on goofy mode, ala Captain Ron and Big Trouble in Little China. Wouldn’t that be fun?
As a bonus, here is Carpenter’s live band re-recording of the classic Escape from New York theme…
