The Perfect Snake For “Escape From New York” Remake

Ah, Snake Plissken. Every movie hero is rendered 10% cooler when they have an eyepatch. The original “Escape From New York” remains a classic for who those of us (me) who grew up in the 80s and spent an inordinate amount of time imagining themselves as a kickass futuristic ex-con with a very low, gravelly voice.

Anyway, they’ve tried reviving the Plissken character once before, with “Escape From LA” in ’96. That movie was tepidly received, so here comes a reboot of the original film itself, which was slated to star Gerard Butler, but lost him while gaining a director in the process. From The Heat Vision Blog:

Breck Eisner, who directed Overtures' remake of "The Crazies," is in negotiations to helm the remake of "Escape From New York" for New Line.

Eisner, repped by CAA, also directed 2005's "Sahara."


So Eisner is in, but Butler is out. Heat Vision says this project is a top priority for New Line, which means they WILL find a star for it. But who? Who can possibly fill the shoes of someone like Kurt Russell (besides Russell himself, who remains disturbingly ageless)?

Well, I’m sure they’ve already asked Sam Worthington to do it. And I’m sure Nicolas Cage would do it for a mortgage payment. But I have a better idea. Before New Line goes and offers this to the R-Pattz/Tyler Lautner subset and ruins everything for everyone, I implore them to consider… Jeremy Renner. He’s the correct age, and he has the requisite mount of badassery in his blood. Losing Butler is a godsend for this movie, given that Butler has done nothing useful since “300.” Renner, on the other hand, hasn’t worn out his welcome just yet. Come on, New Line. This shouldn’t be that hard to figure out.

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