Zack Snyder’s Remake Of Kurt Russell Sci-Fi Classic Gets First Plot Details

MovieStillsDB Published Sep 17, 2026, 2:54 PM EDT Adam has been writing in the entertainment news space for over a decade. Beginning his career of covering film and TV at CinemaBlend, he has also appeared on The Flash Podcast and done several radio spots. Sign in to your ScreenRant account This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.Director Zack Snyder has shared the first plot details for his Escape From New York remake. Snyder has spent a lot of time in the realm of science fiction, from his work in the DC Extended Universe, to helming the Rebel Moon movies. This past June, it was announced he would return to the genre to direct a new version of Escape From New York. The filmmaker has now pulled the curtain back regarding what audiences can expect from his remake of the 1981, Kurt Russell-led sci-fi classic. While speaking with Happy Sad Confused host Josh Horowitz tied to the release of his new movie The Last Photograph, Snyder revealed that his Escape From New York remake will remain set in 1997 like the original. However, the war that prompted Manhattan’s conversion into a maximum security prison will begin on the exact same date that the original movie was released, rather than in 1988. The filmmaker explained: The approach is… the movie is going to be set in ’97, from the perspective of 1981. I set the movie in sort of the war between the United States police force and the elements, criminal elements, [which] takes place on July 9th, 1981, which is the release date of the original movie. The rest is pretty much Escape from New York. This story is developing… Release Date May 23, 1981 Runtime 99 minutes Director John Carpenter Cast Lee Van Cleef Police Commissioner Bob Hauk Writers Nick Castle, John Carpenter Producers Debra Hill, Larry Franco Sequel(s) Escape from LA Franchise(s) Escape from New York