http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/10/09/Brett-Ratner-Directing-ESCAPE-FROM-NEW-YORK-Remake.aspx IESB.net is reporting that director Brett Ratner (RUSH HOUR; X-MEN THE LAST STAND) has been brought on by New Line Cinema to direct a remake of the cult-classic film ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK. More specifically Ratner is the appointed replacement for the film’s original director, Len Wiseman (UNDERWORLD.) Details are sketchy about led to sudden change in directors, but it has been further rumored that Wiseman’s job directing another film for New Line is also hanging precariously in the balance: a live-action adaptation of last year’s blockbuster video game GEARS OF WAR. It is currently unclear just how much the script for ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK will be altered under the new director. Ratner’s past affinity for big action coupled with hearty (if not hit-or-miss) humor should make him a good fit for the film though, which alternates between over-the-top action sequences and oddball characters. For those too young (or too sophisticated) to know, ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK was a John Carpenter (HALLOWEEN) B-movie released in 1981. The premise: evildoers kidnap the U.S. President and abscond with him to the most dangerous place on earth, the penal colony of Manhattan. Even the military is scared to go there anymore, so the government sends the biggest badass on earth to save the Pres: unruly prisoner Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell, all angry growls and a pirate eye-patch.) The film became a cult-hit due largely to its ludicrous premise, macabre, demented characters and the hilarious straight-forwardness with which Russell embodied the iconic role of Snake. The film spawned one god-awful sequel, ESCAPE FROM L.A., which was released in 1996. en-US Critics Rant info@criticsrant.com Subtext Version 1.9.4.0 http://www.criticsrant.com/images/default_gravatar_bullhorn.png http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/10/09/Brett-Ratner-Directing-ESCAPE-FROM-NEW-YORK-Remake.aspx 77 60 http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/10/09/Brett-Ratner-Directing-ESCAPE-FROM-NEW-YORK-Remake.aspx#1736 Huge mistake all around. They will screw this up for certain. The original was so cool with just the right touch of campiness. The new one is bound to fail. Dan http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/10/09/Brett-Ratner-Directing-ESCAPE-FROM-NEW-YORK-Remake.aspx#1736 Thu, 11 Oct 2007 17:39:29 GMT http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/10/09/Brett-Ratner-Directing-ESCAPE-FROM-NEW-YORK-Remake.aspx#1741 i wish they would stop doing remakes. they are never as good as the original brokun1 http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/10/09/Brett-Ratner-Directing-ESCAPE-FROM-NEW-YORK-Remake.aspx#1741 Thu, 11 Oct 2007 19:32:01 GMT http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/10/09/Brett-Ratner-Directing-ESCAPE-FROM-NEW-YORK-Remake.aspx#1823 This is a really bad idea. Catyanna http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/10/09/Brett-Ratner-Directing-ESCAPE-FROM-NEW-YORK-Remake.aspx#1823 Fri, 19 Oct 2007 07:16:15 GMT http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/10/09/Brett-Ratner-Directing-ESCAPE-FROM-NEW-YORK-Remake.aspx#1838 i don't think the should do a remake of this movie because kurt russell really played and no one plays the part like did or ever will,kurt really made the show and no one can ever take his place in our house dorothy fugate http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/10/09/Brett-Ratner-Directing-ESCAPE-FROM-NEW-YORK-Remake.aspx#1838 Sat, 20 Oct 2007 03:09:49 GMT http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/10/09/Brett-Ratner-Directing-ESCAPE-FROM-NEW-YORK-Remake.aspx#1846 dont think i will watch that brokun1 http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/10/09/Brett-Ratner-Directing-ESCAPE-FROM-NEW-YORK-Remake.aspx#1846 Sat, 20 Oct 2007 18:15:05 GMT http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/10/09/Brett-Ratner-Directing-ESCAPE-FROM-NEW-YORK-Remake.aspx#1850 I havent seen the Remake yet, but I seen the orignal movie! debradumond http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/10/09/Brett-Ratner-Directing-ESCAPE-FROM-NEW-YORK-Remake.aspx#1850 Sun, 21 Oct 2007 16:21:46 GMT http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/10/09/Brett-Ratner-Directing-ESCAPE-FROM-NEW-YORK-Remake.aspx#1890 There's no way that this remake will have the same campy goodness as the original. Brett Ratner will try to make it all badass and funny...and fail miserably at both. Fabfish http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/10/09/Brett-Ratner-Directing-ESCAPE-FROM-NEW-YORK-Remake.aspx#1890 Thu, 25 Oct 2007 15:46:19 GMT