I know a lot of us don’t want a remake of ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK to happen. The film is so defined by pre-Giuliani New York, John Carpenter’s dark, moody style, and, of course, Kurt’s utter magnificence as Snake that it really does seem like any update would just be a lame, uninspired cash-in by comparison. I, and many of you, will never miss an opportunity to shittalk the very idea of dusting off this completely unremakable film for contemporary audiences.
But I have a feeling that some folks will back off now that the guy who made LUTHER is writing the script.
Yes, Neil Cross is writing the remake for Fox, with John Carpenter in tow as executive producer. Cross’ sole feature credit thus far has been on the GDT-produced MAMA, but he created the Idris Elba-fronted BBC One series LUTHER, and has written all 14 of the episodes thus far. He also co-created the ill-fated John Malkovich-as-Blackbeard series CROSSBONES and wrote two Matt Smith-era DOCTOR WHO episodes.
Fox is “aiming high with this one,” and wants to kick off a PLANET OF THE APES-type franchise built around Snake Plissken, apparently choosing Cross over a handful of other prospective, presumably credible writers. I know LUTHER has enough of a fanbase that getting Cross involved will undoubtedly make the notion of this project appear a little cooler to some than it did yesterday. But for me? I still, and will always, say leave ‘er be; if Cross' draft is impressive, then get him to create another iconic, star-making character on par with LUTHER instead of leeching off of John Carpenter’s enduring, impossible-to-replicate (even by himself) IP.
Oh, and the fact that Carpenter’s producing? Think nothing of it. He’s taking a paycheck and going home. End of line.
