How could ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK possibly get worse?
Len Wiseman is off the project but which hack director did New Line go for next?
AICN that Len Wiseman was no longer attached to direct the ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK remake and instead the gig had been given to Brett Ratner. Ironically, Ratner's name is probably the only one I would have disliked more than Wiseman. At least Wiseman gives it a go and at least shows some passion in his work, even if he constantly makes the wrong choices. Ratner is really a soft-porn version of Michael Bay. He will deliver EXACTLY what the studio wants from the script blueprint with no artistic merit or energy... and without the big set pieces. I did stick up for Ratner on X-MEN 3 because he literally had weeks to get himself prepared to shoot the movie and on that occassion deliveiring a no-problem X-MEN film was the only way forward because the studio were hell bent on getting it out before SUPERMAN RETURNS. But then that doesn't excuse AFTER THE SUNSET, RED DRAGON, RUSH HOUR movies. Films I don't hate but I can't like them either. They kind of exist in this no caring mid ground of cinema and that's the absolutely worse place to be. They are not memorable because Ratner doesn't take risks. So there I was hoping it was all rumor, until first thing this morning, I check out IESB and New Line have 100% confirmed the story that Brett Ratner will be helming ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK. I can't believe no-one bigger wanted to helm this thing. There most have been 100 directors who grew up loving ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK and if the script is as good as people are saying, then why didn't it attract them? Gerard Butler is still on board as Snake Plissken, which ya know if your going to replace Kurt Russell, you could do a lot worse.
Anyway, this is an ugly piece of news. I love John Carpenter. I love ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK. His movies are just so methodical and part of his unique universe and vision that I really don't think they are remake-able. Kurt Russell, Lee Van Cleef, Donald Pleasance, Issac Hayes, Harry Dean Stanton, Adrienne Barbeau.... you can't get a cast like that these days for this type of movie. Butler, yes, is a fine choice as Snake but GRINDHOUSE has shown that Kurt Russell is still the man. He ain't that old timer in the bar of DEATH PROOF, he's still got it. Someone dig John Carpenter out of his grave and let him take on this project and hire Kurt Russell. Do the right thing on this one and halt the production. Anyone fearing that he might give the Isaac Hayes part to Chris Tucker?