News > Kurt Russell Hisses at 'Escape' Remake

Source EntertainmentWeekly:

   During an interview with Entertainment Weekly about his upcoming role in Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez's Grindhouse, Kurt Russell (aka Snake Plissken from Escape from New York) unleashed some fury at the news of an Escape remake starring 300 star Gerald Butler. The highlights:

    Asked about fan attachment to his movies: "Yeah, I think that's what happens to people as they get older, they get territorial and proprietary about these things. However, I will say that when I was told who was going to play Snake Plissken, my initial reaction was ''Oh, man!'' [Russell winces]. I do think that character was quintessentially one thing. And that is, American." 

   About Snake Plissken: "People come up to me and say, ''You played Snake Plissken.'' I didn't play Snake Plissken, I created him! Goldie [Hawn] and I were talking the other day about this, and I said, ''Man, this is weird, isn't it?'' And she said, ''When they were going to do a remake of Private Benjamin, I thought, 'I didn't play Private Benjamin, I created that role!''' I did Wyatt Earp — there's only been 50 of those. But I'll tell you what, I'll put my Wyatt Earp up against anybody's. I'll put my MacCready [his character in The Thing] up against anybody's." 

   And asked if he'd consider a cameo in the Escape remake: "F— that! I am Snake Plissken! It's like Sean Connery always watching someone else do their version of Bond."

   I'm sure as an actor I would agree 100% with him. As a producer, or as anyone else who stands to make millions off the the remake, I'm sure I would disagree with him. One thing is certain, though: Kurt Russell was one bad motherfucker in Escape from New York. It's rare to see an actor so complete a role the way he did that it's almost a travesty to see someone else come along and try and fill in his shoes. Of course, it'll be cool to see a new Escape with upgraded graphics, but somehow I strongy doubt it will possess the spirit of the original. 

   You can read the rest of the interview here.