Just a few days ago we learned that a new rendition of John Carpenter's Escape from New York was in the planning stages, and also that 300 star Gerard Butler had been tapped to play the role of legendary bad-ass Snake Plissken. (Then we heard that the project might be more of a prequel than a remake, but who really knows at this point?) Either way the thing is definitely moving forward, much to the apparent chagrin of the original Snake Plissken."I will say that when I was told who was going to play Snake Plissken, my initial reaction was 'Oh, man!' [Russell winces]. I do think that character was quintessentially one thing. And that is, American," is what Kurt Rusell recently told Entertainment Weekly. Ouch. See, I never really got much of the "patriotism" vibe from the Plissken character ... and I've seen Escape from New York about a dozen times. (Plus, doesn't he end the movie sort of dooming America to a new stone age?) The actor also insists that he "created" Snake Plissken, despite the fact that the screenwriting credits on Escape from New York belong to John Carpenter and Nick Castle. Not knocking the guy's cult classic performance, but ... created? C'mon, Kurt, chill out a little.
But it gets a bit zanier. Russell, an actor I've always admired and still do, also got a little snippy while discussing the possibility of a cameo appearance: "(Expletive) that! I am Snake Plissken! It's like Sean Connery always watching someone else do their version of Bond." Really, Kurt? One kitschy masterpiece and a really lame sequel are the same as, say, Dr. No, From Russia with Love, Thunderball and Goldfinger? I mean, if you felt such a connection to the character, then why didn't you and Carpenter come up with a few new ideas every few years? (Oh, how I've tried to enjoy Escape from L.A. I really have.) I don't care if he's being a bit short-sighted on this one. Kurt Russell is still the man. I bet he could beat up Chuck Norris.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-24-2007 @ 9:47AM
lp said...
"(Expletive) that! I am Snake Plissken! It's like Sean Connery always watching someone else do their version of Bond."
Heh - didn't Sean Connery say he would come out of retirement to play Bond's dad?
http://www.cinematical.com/2007/03/20/sean-connery-talks-to-british-tabloid-about-bond/
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3-24-2007 @ 11:16AM
Pranav said...
No! He said he'd come out of retirement to play INDY's DAD! Bond "IS" an orphan!
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3-24-2007 @ 11:17AM
Pranav said...
My BAD!
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3-24-2007 @ 11:37AM
Screen Rant said...
Oh sure, it was only ONE good movie and a very lame sequel, I agree on that. But it was one of those cult-following defining roles. It would be like someone remaking "Army of Darkness". Kind of hard to replace Bruce Campbell, you know?
Of course I don't really get the "American" comment, either.
Vic
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3-24-2007 @ 1:31PM
Rich said...
I think its more of a case of only in American can you have someone like Snake. He character's personality is the stereotypical American. Rough, tumble, cool, complete badass and only out for himself. Just like Bond is stereotypical British.
I don't see any other kind of "quintessential American." Snake was definitely not a flag waving American zealot, if he was then he should have been named Fox Plissken.
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3-24-2007 @ 2:17PM
pat miller said...
Didn't snake smoke "American Spirit" cigarettes at the end of the "lame" sequel
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3-25-2007 @ 12:57AM
Charles said...
Isn't Gerald Butler British? And weren't many of the pilgrims, oh, I don't know, BRITISH? If ANYTHING screams America, it's a British accent. But what do I know, I remember history...
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3-25-2007 @ 1:45AM
andidance said...
OK, I'm a Gerard Butler fan. Also love Kurt Russell. Would love to see either one in the remake (or sequel or prequel...)! I wonder why Kurt wasn't approached for the part??? Anyway, I can't get enough of Gerard Butler so I'm all for him playing as many roles as possible. Incidentally, Gerard is from Glasgow, Scotland and who's to say he won't play Snake with an American accent. He's an amazing actor and has played roles with an American accent before and very well, I might add.
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3-26-2007 @ 1:41PM
kevjohn said...
How is going to be a prequel with Gerard Butler? He isn't much younger (if at all) than Russell was when they made the first one.
And that second film.... best not to speak of that.
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3-26-2007 @ 5:41PM
susan said...
Kurt is not doing himself any favors with this attitude. I suggest he watch some movies with Gerard Butler and get a little respect for this amazing actor. Maybe he needs to ask Goldie to watch with him so She can educate him on the wow factor. It makes me think less of Kurt; I sure have not heard Pierce or Sean Connery dish on Daniel Craig. Show some class, Man!
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3-29-2007 @ 11:25PM
cynibun said...
This is just typical of a Hollywood ego going biserk, and show great insecurity. Sean Connery by the way has always been gracious to any of the other Bonds, and Russell is showing immaturity. Connery has never show his pettiness over other men taking the role he made. In fact, one movie does not a series make. Russell is just afraid that Gerard Butler will make it into something far grander than he ever did, and I believe he will, that plus a better script, great CGI, and other swifter actors, Russell is afraid the prequel will be better than the original which is campy now when you watch it. If John Carpenter doesn't have a problem with it, he created it, then he shouldn't, he is just being a knob.
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4-14-2007 @ 8:47PM
Jen said...
I like Kurt Russell, but I totally agree with the comment that said he is just afraid that Gerry Butler will do it better. I have not a doubt in the world that Gerry WILL ! Butler has always been a very good actor in any role, with any accent. I do wish Kurt Russell would should show a little class too.
Jen
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5-03-2007 @ 1:58AM
kurtis said...
kurt russell is the shit and you guys need to show some respect. i saw 300 it was all right, good fight scenes but Gerry Butler will never be able to play or act for that matter better then kurt russell. there is one and only snake and that will forever be russell.
kurtis
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6-08-2007 @ 12:54AM
Realm said...
Connery didn't have anything to do with the fact that he played in a bunch of Bond movies. Those were based on books. They already existed. In that sense, he didn't even create Bond. Russell, however, could be said to have created Plissken because there was no premade character for him to play.
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