Zack Snyder reveals key information about his Escape From New York reboot.

Zack Snyder has finally revealed the first details about his upcoming project, a remake of John Carpenter’s 1981 cult classic, Escape from New York. Fans of Snake Plissken can look forward to a version that aims to stay true to the original.

In a chat with a YouTube channel, Snyder shared, “The approach is… the movie’s going to be set in ’97… from the perspective of 1981. The war between the United States police force and… the criminal elements takes place, I think, July 9th, 1981 – which is the release date of the original movie. And then the rest is pretty much Escape from New York.”

This suggests that the remake will closely mirror the original, capturing its vision of 1997 as seen through the lens of 1981. Expect a mix of retrofuturistic tech and some quirky elements. Snyder expressed his admiration for the Carpenter film, calling it “the perfect combination of kitsch and camp… that’s why I love it.”

Snyder is still on the hunt for his Snake Plissken. During the interview, host Josh Horowitz mentioned that Jeffrey Dean Morgan had shown interest in the role, which Snyder confirmed. When asked if Snake would sport his iconic eye patch, Snyder quipped, “He’d better, or I’ll walk out!”

Escape from New York is a sci-fi action thriller featuring Snake Plissken (played by Kurt Russell), a former special forces operative turned criminal. The film serves as a satirical take on ‘80s paranoia, set in a dystopian America where a “400% increase in crime” has turned Manhattan into a maximum-security prison. After anti-government insurgents hijack Air Force One and take the president hostage, Plissken is tasked with rescuing him within 24 hours to clear his name.

This film has become a cult classic, influencing elements of the Metal Gear series. Solid Snake, with his bandana, gruff demeanor, and name, is clearly inspired by Snake Plissken.

Snyder is coming off a rough patch with his latest film, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and received harsh criticism, currently sitting at 20% on Rotten Tomatoes. One viewer described it as “grotesque, shameless and an utter disgrace from start to finish.” Here’s hoping Snyder’s Escape from New York reboot finds a warmer reception.