20 Movie Remakes You Didn’t Know Were In The Works

6. Escape From New York

The Film

It's been almost a decade since the first news of a possible Escape From New York remake was first released. Back then, Gerard Butler was in line to play Snake Plissken in what might have been part original story, part remake - though John Carpenter suggested it might be a prequel.

A lot of water has flowed under the bridge since then, with directors as diverse as Brett Ratner, Len Wiseman, Breck Eisner, and Jonathan Mostow all supposedly attached at various stages. Jeremy Renner replaced Butler, and then it seemed to be down to either Charlie Hunnam, Jon Bernthal or Dan Stevens for the lead and Robert Rodriguez directing.

Is It A Good Idea?

Escape From New York is one of those films that should defy remakes - partly because it's already great and partly because Kurt Russell's performance as Snake Plissken is so iconic.

There's definitely enough in the story to justify a remake, but it would be better if they were going with Carpenter's original hint of a prequel if only to establish some distance.