Escape From New York Reboot Nabs Scream Directors, John Carpenter Executive Producing
News broke earlier from Bloody Disgusting that Ready or Not and Scream directors Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin were in line to bring a new take on John Carpenter and Nick Castle's Escape from New York to life. That report has now been corroborated by Deadline, who brings word that the film is not only happening but that Carpenter is attached as an executive producer. Andrew Rona & Alex Heineman will produce alongside the "Radio Silence" collective, who are currently hard at work on the upcoming Scream 6. A screenwriter for the project is also reportedly being sought, eliminating the thought that a previous draft of a reboot could be the basis for the film.
It was reported previously that Russell is not currently set to reprise his role of Snake Plissken, though with how early these talks are between the filmmakers and the studio, it's unknown what their approach would be and whether it would focus on Plissken's possible return.
Reports of either a reboot or a new entry into the series go back years, with a variety of names being attached at different points in time. While filmmaker Robert Rodriguez had often been associated with a potential reboot, reports emerged around the time of the release of 2020's The Invisible Man that writer/director Leigh Whannell had been attached to the project.
Carpenter himself has at times confirmed there were plans for a third film in the series, which could have seen Plissken going into space. Given that the filmmaker returned as a producer on David Gordon Green's trilogy of Halloween films, Carpenter revealed to ComicBook.com earlier this year he'd be open to returning to the Escape franchise, noting, "Yeah, if you have a monetary figure involved. Sure, absolutely."
If Russell isn't planning on returning to the franchise, this could cause some complications, given how Carpenter thinks there will only ever be one Snake.
"He's really good, [Kurt Russel's son] Wyatt is really good, but it's up to him and up to Kurt. I don't know what they're going to do. They may even go for a female," Carpenter shared of what the future could hold for Snake. When pressed for suggestions on other actors that could take on the role, the filmmaker confessed, "There's nobody like Kurt, and there's nobody like Snake, male or female."
Just months ago, even Nope filmmaker Jordan Peele expressed interest in the adventures of Snake Plissken. When asked by ComicBook.com what Carpenter-approved revival he would be most interested in, Peele admitted, "Really, really excellent question. You know what? It's tough. Let's just say Escape from New York, which is my hometown."
He added, "Big fan of all his work. I would say The Thing, but that's a remake and one of the greatest films ever done. You don't want to remake one of the greatest."
Stay tuned for updates on the possible future of Escape from New York.
Would you like to see the filmmakers develop a new film in the series? Let us know in the comments or contact Patrick Cavanaugh directly on Twitter to talk all things Star Wars and horror!