Zack Snyder is juggling a packed slate, from a 300 prequel series to a UFC movie, but his next big-screen outing is a fresh take on John Carpenter's 1981 cult classic Escape From New York. During a recent interview at the Toronto International Film Festival, Snyder dropped some tantalizing hints about the project, including a possible lead actor who's already familiar to fans of his work.
When asked if he'd found his Snake Plissken, Snyder teased, "I may (have him already)." He also made it clear that whoever steps into the iconic eye patch and leather vest must honor Kurt Russell's original look: "He better look like Snake. If he doesn't, I'm going to walk out." That's a high bar, but one actor might just clear it.
Enter Jeffrey Dean Morgan. The Walking Dead star, who previously worked with Snyder on Watchmen and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, has apparently been lobbying for the role. Snyder confirmed, "Jeffrey's been hitting me up recently. Jeffrey's great. He's so strong." While he stopped short of confirming Morgan's casting, the director's praise suggests the actor is a serious contender—and with his rugged looks and gravelly voice, Morgan could absolutely channel Snake's gruff charm.
Snyder also shared intriguing details about the reboot's setting. "The movie is going to be set in 1997," he revealed. "The war between the United States police force and the criminal elements takes place in 1981, which was the release date of the original movie. And the rest is pretty much Escape from New York." He emphasized the film's tone, calling it "the perfect combination of kitsch and camp," but also noted its satirical edge: "We can make comments about government overreach; it's all in the headlines. It's current, in some ways."
The original Escape from New York follows Snake Plissken, a special forces soldier turned convict, who is sent into a walled-off Manhattan to rescue the kidnapped President. It was a box office hit, grossing around $50 million on a $6 million budget, and earned a 70% Rotten Tomatoes score. The sequel, Escape from L.A., didn't fare as well, but the franchise remains beloved by fans.
If Morgan does land the role, he'd join a long line of actors who've been compared to Russell—including Russell's own son, Wyatt, who bears a striking resemblance to his father. But Snyder's tease suggests he might have someone specific in mind, and Morgan's enthusiasm could be the push needed to seal the deal.
As Snyder continues to develop this reboot, fans are eager to see who'll step into Snake's boots. With his knack for bold visuals and his history with Morgan, this could be a match made in dystopian heaven. Stay tuned for more updates on this highly anticipated project.
For more on Snyder's recent work, check out our coverage of his latest film's TIFF reactions, and for other genre reboots, see how the Resident Evil reboot fared.
