Zack Snyder Set To Direct Escape from New York Reimagining

Zack Snyder is taking on a John Carpenter classic, signing on to direct a reimagining of Escape from New York. THR reports that the 300 and Man of Steel director has signed on to write and direct the new take on Carpenter’s 1981 dystopian action film.

The report notes that the film is being put together right now and will be taken out to potential buyrs in the coming weeks. The intent is to have the film released theatrically. Snyder hasn’t theatrically-released a film since Justice League in 2017.

Escape From New York starred Kurt Russell as Snake Plissken, a former Special Forces operative turned federal prisoner in a dystopian future America. He is given 24 hours to rescue the President of the United States after Air Force One is hijacked and brought down in New York City, which has become a maximum security prison.

The film was a critical and commercial success, and plans to revisit the film have been in the works for years. Len Wiseman, Brett Ratner, and Robert Rodriguez have all been in line to direct but stepped away at various times.

The report notes that Snyder’s take will be a “more down and dirty movie” and will use lots of practical effects akin to his Dawn of the Dead remake, as opposed to his superhero work. Since exiting the DCEU, Snyder has made films for Netflix such as Army of the Dead and his Rebel Moon duology.