Zack Snyder’s Escape from New York reimagining is barely a few hours old, and the casting debate is already taking off.
No one has been announced to play Snake Plissken. Plot details are also locked down. Still, Snyder’s Instagram post was enough to get fans throwing names around, and one actor has already raised his hand.
Snyder reacted to the news on Instagram with a simple “LFG,” using the Deadline announcement featuring the original Escape from New York main title from John Carpenter and Alan Howarth.
The comments did the rest.
Frank Grillo Wants In
Frank Grillo didn’t waste any time.
Commenting directly on Snyder’s post from his verified account, Grillo appeared to make it clear he wants in, adding three boxing-glove emojis to drive the point home.
It’s not a bad pitch.
Grillo has the action background, does a lot of his own stunts, and brings the kind of older, rougher, lived-in toughness that could fit Snake Plissken.
If Snyder really is going for a more “down and dirty” Escape from New York, closer to his Dawn of the Dead remake than his superhero movies, Grillo makes sense as someone who could fit that tone.
He also already has a DC Studios connection. Grillo recently wrapped Man of Tomorrow opposite David Corenswet and Nicholas Hoult, where he returns as Rick Flag Sr., so he is already in the Snyder/Gunn orbit.
Fans Push Wyatt Russell For Snake Plissken
The fan-cast with the best built-in story is Wyatt Russell.
Fans under Snyder’s post were quick to bring him up, with one comment calling for “Wyatt Russell as the lead.” Another fan account posted a clip of Russell as John Walker from Marvel to make the case.
The pitch is obvious.
Wyatt Russell is Kurt Russell’s son, and Kurt Russell is Snake Plissken. He originated the eyepatch-wearing antihero in John Carpenter’s 1981 classic and made the character one of the most memorable tough guys in sci-fi action.
Casting Wyatt would give the new movie a legacy hook no other actor can match.
He also already proved he can play a bruised, angry, hard-edged soldier type as John Walker in the MCU.
Wyatt is set to return in Avengers: Doomsday, and when I caught up with him in Buffalo while he was promoting his vodka brand, he came off as the kind of easygoing, game-for-anything presence you could see anchoring a Snyder reboot.
Henry Cavill Is The Big Snyder Fan Pick
Henry Cavill was always going to enter the conversation.
One of the top comments on Snyder’s post called for Cavill in the lead role, and it quickly became one of the most-liked casting suggestions under the announcement.
It’s easy to see why fans went there. Cavill has a long history with Snyder from Man of Steel, Batman v Superman, and Zack Snyder’s Justice League. He also has the size, screen presence, and action-movie credibility to headline a theatrical Escape from New York.
The issue is timing.
Cavill is currently filming Highlander, so his schedule may already be packed, but production seems nearly over. Still, with Snyder attached, fans were always going to bring his name up.
Who Replaces Kurt Russell?
The bigger question is who can follow Kurt Russell.
Snake Plissken isn’t a generic action role. The eyepatch, the voice, the scowl, the attitude — Russell stamped the character so hard that anyone taking over is going to be compared to him from day one.
That’s why these names are already getting traction.
Grillo brings the grit. Cavill brings the star power. Wyatt Russell brings the legacy connection.
None of them is confirmed, but all three give fans something to argue about before Snyder shoots a single frame.
No Casting Has Been Announced
For now, nothing is official.
Grillo expressing interest is not a deal, and the Cavill and Wyatt Russell talk is fan-casting, not reporting.
Snyder is attached to write and direct the Escape from New York reimagining, with StudioCanal and The Picture Company behind the project. John Carpenter is also involved as executive producer. You can catch up on the full announcement here.
If Snyder really is chasing a grittier, more practical take on Escape from New York, the early names being thrown around aren’t a bad place to start.
(note: featured image is fan art)
