In another interview with Eisner over on MovieWeb, he discusses the chances that Timothy Olyphant, with whom he worked on The Crazies, could play Snake."I'm a huge fan. As a kid, I absolutely loved that movie. And Snake is such a bad-ass," Eisner told us. "The interesting thing about 'Escape from New York' is that it was a comment on the urban decay and the suburban flight coming out of the '70s and early '80s. Conceptually, it's an idea that's not true today because of the world we live in. So, how the prison is created is going to be different than in Carpenter's version. The anxiety of the world and anxiety of our existence post-9/11 is there, especially the anxiety in Manhattan post-9/11. Plot-wise, they're different, emotionally they're very similar. That's why it'll be interesting to tackle this movie, to have a slightly different take but with the same results which is Manhattan is turned into a walled prison."
Creatively, he would be great for it. We have not yet discussed internally within the studio who will play Snake Plissken. There are many factors that go into those discussions. First and foremost, obviously, is the creative one. We can't make the movie unless we get the perfect Snake Plissken, and that's a tall order. There are very few guys that could do it. He would definitely be one of the guys who could. There is no question about that.
The Crazies, which comes out on Blu-Ray next Tuesday, was one of my favorite films of last year, and it was a total surprise in a genre that has been done to death. And Olyphant was fantastic in it. While I don't think there's any need for an Escape From New York remake, I do at least have hope that in Eisner there is the possibility of it being good.
I concur, I'm amazed that Olyphant and McShane are not HUGE stars in that they were so liked on Deadwood. Olyphant as Snake is an excellent idea and one that I don't think most people would not like. He somewhat short too. I always like a guy who is badass and is shorter then everyone. Carpenter is always styleized and I hope they find a way of using his music in the remake. One thing that makes a Carpenter movie a Carpenter movie is erie music. Even if they just use the original scores it would make the movie that good. Obvioulsy change the story a but the music you can't touch. Unless it's Starman.
Admittedly, beyond my disdain for remakes, Olyphant does seem like he would fit in well in this movie.
It was perfect to begin with! Why would I want to see someone who isn't Kurt Russell play Snake Plissken? Especially Olyphant, who I have never seen in a role even close to being cool or intimidating.
Yet again. Why? Leave this alone. No one can match Russell as Snake.
I will admit the original has its share of outdated FX, but even with updates, it still won't be the same.
FU Hollywood.
I was about to come in here and say, Hell yeah olyphant!...BUT YOU WIN! holy shit:
Josh Holloway as Snake or scrap it!!!!
Josh Holloway looks right but i have no idea if he's actually good for the part.