This isn’t the first time Carpenter’s awesome, kinetic 1981 sci-fi thriller has almost been remade, or the first time a potential remake hasn’t come to fruition. Back in 2019, another popular name in the horror world, Leigh Whannell, was bandied about in connection to an “Escape From New York” remake, but in 2020, the “Invisible Man” and “Saw” franchise filmmaker admitted he had a healthy fear of trying to replicate the magic of the Kurt Russell-led original and later dropped out. Before Whannell was attached to write the film’s script, the remake was also connected to Robert Rodriguez and even Brett Ratner.
It’s now been years since news of an “Escape From New York” remake first broke. The comments from Gillett are the closest we’ve gotten so far to an explanation for what’s kept the film in what seems to be development hell, but rights issues and compressed timeline aside, it seems like remaking the movie may just not be a good idea. “Escape From New York” is phenomenal in a distinctly ’80s way, and it’s tough to imagine any version made today living up to it. Gillett ultimately took a “never say never” approach to the idea, though, telling ComicBook.com:
But who knows? I think, in hindsight, it feels crazy that we would think we would, post-‘Scream,’ step into a John Carpenter franchise. You never know. There’s still interest in it and we’ve had a few conversations about it but we’re not attached in any official capacity.”
For now, the movie seems to once again be back to the drawing board. Luckily, fans can go watch the original (which is on Freevee and The Criterion Channel) anytime while we wait to see if the remake ever happens.
