Zack Snyder Relaunches 1997: Escape from New York

After more than a decade of announced but never realized projects, Escape from New York finally seems to have found its way back to the big screen. Leading the operation will be Zack Snyder, who will handle the screenplay and direction of the new adaptation of the cult classic by John Carpenter from 1981.

The initiative is born under the aegis of StudioCanal, which holds the property rights along with Carpenter himself. The latter will participate in the project as an executive producer, while Snyder will also be involved in production through his company Stone Quarry.

A Vision (Perhaps) Far from Comic Book Movies

Early rumors speak of an approach far from the spectacular aesthetic that has characterized much of Snyder's recent filmography. The goal would be to create a rougher, more physical and practical work, with extensive use of practical effects and real locations, recalling the style adopted by the director in the remake of the masterpiece Dawn of the Dead.

In recent years, numerous authors have attempted to revive the universe of Snake "Jena" Plissken without managing to get past the development phase. Among the names associated with the project are Robert Rodriguez, Leigh Whannell, Len Wiseman, and Radio Silence. An icon of '80s action, for many it will be sacrilege, for Snyder an opportunity to bring a no less personal interpretation to the screen.

For StudioCanal, the return of Escape from New York represents one of the most important pieces of its strategy related to cinematic franchises. Meanwhile, Snyder is completing post-production on The Last Photograph, an indie drama set in the mountains of South America.