Is Escape from Earth real? Kurt Russell “sequel” explained

Snake Plissken is one of Kurt Russell’s most iconic roles, but is he returning for Escape from Earth? Here’s what you need to know.

Russell first donned the eyepatch in 1981’s Escape from New York, following Snake as he infiltrates America’s biggest maximum security prison – which happens to be the entirety of Manhattan – to rescue the President of the United States.

It’s one of the greatest action movies of the decade and a firm favorite among John Carpenter fans. Its sequel, 1996’s Escape from L.A., isn’t so widely revered, despite the director believing it to be the better of the two.

Now, rumor has it that Russell is back as Snake once more for Escape from Earth – but is it true?

Is Kurt Russell back in Escape from Earth?

No, Escape From Earth isn’t happening – but an Escape from New York sequel is in the works.

YODA BBY ABY, a Facebook page notorious for made-up movie news (like Spaceballs 2), shared a fake poster for the threequel, writing: “ESCAPE FROM EARTH!!! PLISSKEN RETURNS!!!

YODA BBY ABY: Facebook

“Get ready for an adrenaline-fueled escape like never before! In ‘John Carpenter’s Escape From Earth,’ Kurt Russell reprises his iconic role as Snake Plissken. As Earth faces impending doom from a rogue planet hurtling through space, Snake must navigate a dangerous alliance with imprisoned aliens to avert catastrophe. Brace yourself for a thrilling ride of action, suspense, and Snake Plissken’s signature charm. Catch it in theaters this July 2024.”

Believe it or not, Escape from Earth was the original concept for a third entry in the series, but the sequel’s poor performance nixed its development. It would have picked up straight after L.A., with Snake acitivating a superweapon known as the “Sword of Damocles” that’s essentially a planet-wide EMP.

“Escape from Earth was kind of Snake Plissken in a space capsule, flying interstellar. So there’d be a lot of special effects in it. Which I never care about too much. But that’s what it would look like,” Carpenter told Fandom.

A remake first entered development in 2007, with Gerard Butler earlier eyed to play Snake. More than 15 years later, the project has evolved quite a bit, now in the hands of Ready or Not and Scream’s Radio Silence with Russell hoped to return.