For nearly three decades, fans have wondered whether the creative team behind the cult-classic action sagas—Kurt Russell and John Carpenter—will conclude the Snake Plissken story with a third movie, often rumored as the long-awaited Kurt Russell and John Carpenter Escape trilogy sequel. Despite ongoing speculation, the elusive “Escape from Earth” has yet to materialize, with questions lingering over what keeps this legendary duo from reuniting.
The Prospects and Hurdles Behind a Third Snake Plissken Movie
John Carpenter’s reputation as a filmmaker is built on standalone originals far more than sequels. With few exceptions, Carpenter has avoided returning to familiar characters and settings. While he contributed to 1981’s “Halloween 2,” he declined to direct and focused on producing and writing. His famed Apocalypse Trilogy—consisting of “The Thing,” “Prince of Darkness,” and “In the Mouth of Madness”—is linked by abstract themes rather than characters or settings.
The only direct sequel Carpenter ever helmed is 1996’s “Escape from L.A.,” which saw him collaborating once more with Kurt Russell. Despite their strong creative partnership, this follow-up was marked by lackluster computer graphics and an uneven tone. Critics noted its recycled plot and slapstick approach, which diverged significantly from the gritty, atmospheric style of the original, “Escape from New York.” Still, Russell’s embodiment of Snake Plissken kept fans hopeful for another adventure. The ending of “Escape from L.A.” suggested a dramatic new direction: Snake would need to leave Earth itself after neutralizing the planet’s technology—a perfect launchpad for “Escape from Earth.”
Declining Returns and Why “Escape from Earth” Was Stalled
Carpenter’s “Escape from New York,” released in 1981, is renowned for its high-stakes plot, dystopian setting, and cast of uniquely memorable characters. Its success prompted calls for a sequel, but both Carpenter and Russell moved on to other projects, including the cult favorite “Big Trouble in Little China.” Eventually, Russell’s affection for the Snake Plissken character brought them back together for a sequel before he felt too old for the role.
By the time “Escape from L.A.” reached theaters, Russell was a premier box-office draw. Nevertheless, the film drastically underperformed financially, grossing just half its production budget and receiving mixed critical feedback. It holds a middling approval rating, and its initial fan response was muted, even as the film garnered a cult following in later years. Carpenter himself has defended “L.A.,” insisting its merits rival those of the original, but the immediate lack of box office success led to the cancellation of “Escape from Earth.” Since then, the franchise has seen limited activity, with the only extensions coming through comic adaptations, scrapped video game ideas, and aborted anime projects.
Reflecting on the elusive third film, Carpenter outlined a minimal concept in a 2022 interview with Fandom:
… kind of Snake Plissken in a space capsule, flying interstellar.
—John Carpenter, Director/Composer. The franchise has essentially remained dormant for over 25 years.
Would an Out-of-This-World Setting Work for Snake Plissken?
Carpenter’s resume features influential entries in the science fiction and action genres, including “The Thing” and “Starman,” but space settings have rarely played a major role. His only foray beyond the planet’s boundaries was the 2001 film “Ghosts of Mars,” a movie that didn’t find commercial or critical success and was followed by his partial retirement from directing.
Despite the initial seriousness of “Escape from New York,” both films infuse absurdity and larger-than-life scenarios, culminating in the outlandish yet memorable sequences in “Escape from L.A.” This over-the-top tone means a space-bound finale would not be out of character for the series. Following the events of “Escape from L.A.,” which end with Earth’s technology effectively erased, Plissken’s journey to the stars could offer the scale and spectacle fitting for a trilogy conclusion. The inherent grandiosity of the Snake Plissken stories, along with the franchise’s embrace of creative escalation, lends credibility to such a premise.
How “Ghosts of Mars” Offers a Glimpse Into “Escape from Earth”
Among the persistent rumors surrounding “Ghosts of Mars” was the idea that it was a reworked Snake Plissken sequel after the failure of “Escape from L.A.” However, there is no evidence that Carpenter ever intended the film as part of the Escape series. Ice Cube’s character in “Ghosts of Mars” does bear a passing resemblance to Plissken, leading fans to draw connections, but Carpenter insisted these similarities were coincidental and no direct link exists.
The movie itself, arguably one of Carpenter’s most action-centric, blends science fiction and Western motifs but avoids high-concept space elements like lasers and spaceships. Instead, “Ghosts of Mars” grounds its story in traditional action sequences and familiar character dynamics, reminiscent of what a space-centric Plissken story could have looked like. The relationship between Ice Cube’s Desolation Williams and Natasha Henstridge’s Ballard in the film hints at the kind of dynamic that might have benefited a third Plissken adventure, with strong personalities forced into collaboration by dire circumstances.
Carpenter’s love for Westerns is evident, and he has said that “Ghosts of Mars” takes inspiration from classic films like “Rio Bravo” and “El Dorado.” This thematic influence could have seamlessly carried into “Escape from Earth,” blending spacefaring adventure with the spirit of a frontier Western—a genre blend that continues to appeal to fans. However, “Ghosts of Mars” suffered from budget constraints and a visually dated look, issues that would have required a more robust production approach for any Snake Plissken feature set in space. As Cube reportedly declined to promote “Ghosts of Mars” due to its appearance, it is likely that a high-quality production would be critical for the franchise’s finale to succeed.
John Carpenter’s Willingness to Return—and the Waning Odds
Even though “Escape from L.A.” was divisive, Carpenter and Russell’s director-actor collaboration is celebrated for its creative energy and chemistry that produced genre classics such as “The Thing” and “Big Trouble in Little China.” Their professional rapport has translated into continued friendship, with Russell participating in Carpenter’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in April 2025. Over time, hopes for a reunion have dimmed as Carpenter focused on music and film scoring, while Russell moved on to varied roles.
Despite the unlikelihood, Carpenter has kept the door slightly ajar for the long-mooted sequel. As he told Den of Geek in 2022,
You never know. I learned never to say never in the business. I don’t think so, but I don’t know.
—John Carpenter, Director/Composer. While his last feature film was 2010’s “The Ward,” rumors and reports have periodically surfaced linking him to other projects, none of which have advanced to production.
Kurt Russell’s commitment to authenticity in the role of Snake Plissken has fueled the franchise’s legend, exemplified by him performing the character’s remarkable basketball stunt in “Escape from L.A.” without visual effects. According to the actor, he would only reprise Snake if Carpenter helms the project, making the director indispensable to any continuation. Although it appears increasingly unlikely the duo will reteam for “Escape from Earth,” devoted fans note that Snake Plissken has a history of overcoming seemingly impossible odds—raising hopes he might yet escape development limbo for a final adventure.
The Enduring Legacy and Ongoing Speculation
In the landscape of action and science fiction cinema, the prospect of a Kurt Russell and John Carpenter Escape trilogy sequel remains tantalizing. The original “Escape from New York” endures as a touchstone for the genre, supported by an ensemble cast that includes Donald Pleasance, Isaac Hayes, and Nick Castle, while “Escape from L.A.” reflects both the franchise’s cult appeal and its creative risks.
Interest in a third installment persists despite setbacks and changes in the industry. Failed attempts at reboots and remakes, as well as aborted multimedia expansions, underscore the unique chemistry that only Carpenter and Russell can bring to Snake Plissken’s world. With both the director and actor advancing in their careers, opportunities are dwindling, but the door remains open, if only a crack, for the saga’s conclusion. For long-time fans, speculation continues—and as Carpenter himself suggested, in the world of Hollywood, one can never say never.
