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A Cool Item For The Carpenter / Plissken Fans Out There...
Merrick here...
I'm usually not 100% comfortable posting about auctions on ebay; doing so gives someone's item-for-sale a ton of immediate exposure & opens up all kinds of other considerations. However, in this instance, I thought a particular auction was worthy of note.
Anyone whose read MY SCRIPT REVIEW of the impending ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK remake knows what I fan I am of early John Carpenter, with an emphasis on Snake Plissken's first adventure.
I waited and waited for the inevitable sequel, wondering what form it would take & if "the edge" of the first film would still be present. The arrival of ESCAPE FROM L.A. was bittersweet (for me, at least). It felt a little heartless...a bit lackluster. I did enjoy some of its social skewering. I liked the revamped theme song. And Russell as Plissken...can't be matched. But the movie never grabbed me, and always felt like it was pushing too hard to get too little back.
Interestingly, Carpenter's script for the film was not the first written sequel for ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK. A write named Coleman Luck (THE EQUALIZER) was, at one point, commissioned to draft an earlier version of ESCAPE FROM L.A. - when the sequel was at DEG (De Laurentiis Entertainment Group). DEG bellied up. That version of the sequel never got made and was subsequently re-scripted by Carpenter when the project was resuscitated.
If you are looking for a rare opportunity to own a piece of movie memorabilia, then, this is it. In late 1986 John Carpenter approached a Hollywood writer named Coleman Luck about the possibility of writing the sequel to his hit movie "Escape From New York" to be called "Escape From LA." At the time, Luck was a writer/producer on the hit CBS television series "The Equalizer." Contrary to the Carpenter mythology, he did not bring any kind of story to Luck, only the basic concept that LA had become a "prison city" of sorts as in his previous film and Snake Plissken had to go in to bring someone out. That was it. The first draft was written and turned in very early in 1987. Almost the same week it was finished the studio involved, DEG, went bankrupt. Instantly, all work stopped. No meetings were held. No notes were given on the script. No other drafts were done. The project went into limbo for close to a decade. Finally, Carpenter got control of it again and made the film that he did. For years, fans and critics have heard of "the Coleman Luck" version of "Escape From LA" and wanted to see it. Until now it has not been read by anyone other than Carpenter, Russell and a very few others. The copy that I am selling is signed by the writer and is the only one I know of in existence. How do I know all of this is true and the script is authentic? I am Coleman Luck and this is my only copy.
...says THIS AUCTION ON EBAY, where (apparently) writer Coleman Luck is selling his "only copy" of the ESCAPE FROM L.A. sequel he wrote for Carpenter & DEG back in 1986.
I've never read Luck's script, thus I have no sense of its quality or content beyond "Snake goes into a screwed-up L.A. to rescue ____". I'll admit to being a tad disappointed that the "let's send Snake into the same situation again" mentality reached so far back...I think the character and his shtick can support far more versatility. Although, there's a group of fans who believe that EFLA is more of a remake of ESCAPE FROM NY than a sequel...so I guess it makes sense (begrudgingly) if viewed from that perspective.
So, there's an interesting...and extremely rare...bit of Geek history for you to ponder. I'd LOVE to get a look at that script, although my luck winning things on ebay is staggeringly, incomprehensibly bad. If anyone reading this ends up winning the item, DROP ME A LINE and perhaps we can coordinate coverage?
Thanks to Evan for pointing me towards the auction. Appreciated.
If you are looking for a rare opportunity to own a piece of movie memorabilia, then, this is it. In late 1986 John Carpenter approached a Hollywood writer named Coleman Luck about the possibility of writing the sequel to his hit movie "Escape From New York" to be called "Escape From LA." At the time, Luck was a writer/producer on the hit CBS television series "The Equalizer." Contrary to the Carpenter mythology, he did not bring any kind of story to Luck, only the basic concept that LA had become a "prison city" of sorts as in his previous film and Snake Plissken had to go in to bring someone out. That was it. The first draft was written and turned in very early in 1987. Almost the same week it was finished the studio involved, DEG, went bankrupt. Instantly, all work stopped. No meetings were held. No notes were given on the script. No other drafts were done. The project went into limbo for close to a decade. Finally, Carpenter got control of it again and made the film that he did. For years, fans and critics have heard of "the Coleman Luck" version of "Escape From LA" and wanted to see it. Until now it has not been read by anyone other than Carpenter, Russell and a very few others. The copy that I am selling is signed by the writer and is the only one I know of in existence. How do I know all of this is true and the script is authentic? I am Coleman Luck and this is my only copy.
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YUCK YUCK YUCK
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Seriously, what a great concept gone wrong.
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Now if we could only get Darabont to eBay his Indiana Jones script...
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figures prominently into the script. The existing sequel is one of the biggest disappointments, right there with the prequels and Matrix. It could've been awesome, instead of a retread.
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"The arrival of ESCAPE FROM L.A. was bittersweet (for me, at least). It felt a little heartless...a bit lackluster."
And by that you mean Utter Fucking Rubbish? Can't disagree there... -
Hmm... still not sure 'bout this one. Is Carpenter the most re-made director of modern times?
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It was awful. I think Snake Plissken riding the surfboard was right up there with Batman ice skating in Batman & Robin!
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and it's not the most inspiring of lists is it? There's a part of me that would rather read fan scripts then this...
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with the dramatisation of Snake's military missions. Precinct 13 was on the other day - Napoleon Smith is cooler than Plisken... discuss...
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Cause I am sure that is what this is worth. If some hack fucking writer has resorted to seeling his old undone scripts on e-bay then you know he is done. At least he isn't sucking cock for H. Oh and the whole...."umm lets drop Snake in LA and get some guy out" mode just makes me want to donkey punch the guys sister.....am I being too harsh?
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Was it as good as NY? Of course not, but then again it neveer tried to be. It was a parody of the first. Something pretty rare in most sequels. Gremlins II did it. And certainly all the Pink Panthers after A Shot in the Dark did it as well.
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Heard he was dead.
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I would love to get a look at that script.
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The ending of EFLA alone is worth the price of admission. Not to mention other silly fun moments like the plastic surgery freaks or the basketball scene. Sure, it was all a revamped version of EFNY but still, it was fun as hell. Yerkwads.
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English is not my first language, azzholes.
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Wait'll I tell Eddie!
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...today!"
Not that there's anything wrong with it. He'll probably sell a bundle. By the way, it's probably nowhere as good as the real "Escape from LA", as damn fine wink-wink of a film as "Escape from NY" was damn fine in the serious-grimy department.
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It's also fodder for some TV lines destined to become classics: "Jou're a yerk!"
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Question: Whats the first thing in 11 years that Coleman Luck has written for public consumption? Alex, can I have Homeless Celebrities for 200 please?
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Hollywood should start auctioning off shares in actual movie concepts. They could make a page where fans could chip in and would subsequently get a proportional return on any profits. It would be a good way of realizing fans' demand. I'd put in $10 for Predator 3, $5 for Transporter 3, and $15 for Ronin 2.
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I had now idea about this script. And THE EQUALIZER was a remarkable series. I would love to see this other version on EFLA. One can only wonder what could have been...
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with Snake Plissken?
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I think this character- briefly mentioned in Escape from NY- had a major role in this. The filmed version of Escape from LA was not THAT bad. It has its moments. But it was a satire. A spoof of the original. That wasn't what I was hoping for.
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in that plot point for plot point it was identical. The only thing making it not a remake was that it mentions the events of the first one. The only good thing about EFLA is Bruce Campbell and his fucked up plastic surgery people. I wish they had been the main baddies. They could have made it so that instead of him having to save someone from a city, Pliskin would have to save the city from someone. Someone like Bruce Campbell. Could have been fuckin' cool, but instead was just hard to watch.
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....Fresno Bob factored majorly into the Peter Briggs script for Escape From LA. The Coleman Luck script has never been made publicly available (until now). Pretty much here is how it went: Carpenter/Russell decided towards the end of the 80s that they wanted to do a sequel, so then ended up commissioning Coleman Luck to write a draft. Unfortunately the studio it was set up at went bankrupt, so the project died off. A few years later they ended up setting the property up at Paramount and commissioned Peter Briggs to write a script for it. His version featured the character Fresno Bob in a main role. Carpenter/Russell weren't pleased with it, so they decided to write their own screenplay for the film with Debra Hill. As for the original Coleman Luck script, the only thing that is known about it is that supposedly it is set in LA (now an island prison like NY) and in the end Snake finds out that he is a clone.
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Yeah, I said it!
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"You may have escaped New York, and you may have survived Cleveland, but you are not going to escape LA"
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Ain't the guy a bajillionaire by now?
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I'd rather pay for it to be published. Either that, or run an in-FUCKING-depth review once you grabbed it. So we can all enjoy it.
Oh, and for the record, I love EFLA. -
...it was THE definitive badass film of the day. Once upon a time Carpenter made some of the best action/horror/action-comedies (EFNY, The Thing, and Big Trouble in Little China). But I'm sorry...camp or not...farce or not....EFLA was craptastic and made me punch myself. Even the sheer badass-ness of Pliskin couldn't save that ass-sploitation.
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that would be the way to go, market it with a Coleman Luck interview or something at the beginning like Ellison did with his original City on the Edge of Forever script
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and Texas Mike O'Shay are sent in to rescue West Hollywood Ramone.
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Do you think they did that on purpose or did they think they were making cutting edge effects?
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Who is your Pay Pal?
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...Ya gotta love Snake Plissken, so I enjoy watching it anyway from time to time.
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Carpenter actually sent his footage back in time to the special effects department to retain that "70s" movie feel. Snake rules.
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and it's all mine. College-age weasels of 2012 will "rediscover" it and I'm gonna be pissed.
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unproduced sequel from 3rd party, hmmmmm. ----- sounds good but i wouldnt pay over $10 to read it.@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ I WANT TO READ THE ESCAPE FROM EARTH SCRIPT. my take: PLISSKEN is on the run from the GOVERNMENT and BOUNTY HUNTERS and the end of the movie he gets on the ONLY to MARS. end: cut away from PLISSKEN eyepatch to outside of rocket to EARTH, still in blackout from L.A.'s ending.
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I always thought the film was rushed, in order to get it out by late summer. I believe this is what Carpenter has said in interviews. Of course, he's also implied that it was the studio's idea to essentially remake the first film- something that the Coleman Luck script would seem to contradict. Personally, the f/x never really bothered me, since it just adds to the whole B movie feel. The real problem was that the filmmakers and the fans seemed to have conflicting ideas as to what the series should be. I don't think Carpenter or Russell ever realized how seriously fans took the first one. During an appearance on the Tonight Show in `96, Russell summed up EFLA by telling the crowd, "Just have fun with it."
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ONLY rocket that is
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Now, this was the script they should have made. It was well thought out, good action scenes and good characters.
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This guy Coleman Luck is into weird knives and mentalism in a big way.
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What's that?
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no sunday school for you, wahwah?
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Escape from LA sucked butt? I mean, it was bad but it didn't suck butt. Highlander 2 sucked butt. The Phantom Menace sucked butt. It wasn't on THAT level.
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I mean, I get why people were disappointed. We wanted a sequel and Carpenter did a remake instead. But god damn if it isn't entertaining. I like NEW YORK better, but I would argue that Plissken is even more badass in LA. He looks way tougher at that age, for one thing. He gets more badass oneliners. He does the western style jump from motorcycle to motorcycle. He attacks Disneyland. He fucks over the entire world at the end, and then celebrates with a cigarette!
Also, I think people who hate LA fail to notice that NEW YORK has a sense of humor too. Or did you think the Duke of New York and his car were gritty realism? So what is so wrong about making a hilarious and brilliant scene where instead of gladiatorial combat, Snake has to kickass at street ball? I don't understand how you could hate that, unless you hate entertainment.
Also I love the rockin version of the theme song.
But it's too bad they didn't get to do a real sequel. Maybe they'll do one to the remake, but I want the real Snake Plissken, not the remake one. And a John Carpenter score is essential. -
Aug 30, 2007 6:48:18 PM CDT
You're all wrong, L.A. is awesome and underrated
by guy who got a headache and accidentally
Even the basketball and surfing parts.
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I spent my last 70 bucks on Bioshock (Xbox360). Oh wells..
PS EFLA was a minor letdown for numerous reasons but it was cool to see Russel reprise his role as the iconic Plissken.
Autopilot thumbs down on the remake. -
Bidding on the script has just reached three dollars and eighty five cents.
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Consider yourselves warned
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was dope as all hail... Admit it, the ending owned you and your family.
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Don't forget the best part of "Escape from L.A.": The babelicious A.J. Langer in a slavegirl costume. It's just our bad luck that she (reportedly) refused to go nude. What ever happened to her, anyway?
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...it wasn't exactly a comedic film, which L.A. was. ESCAPE FROM NY was mostly serious in tone, and that served to make the dramatic situation feel all the more dire. I mean, that film was intense. I think ESCAPE FROM LA was a misfire on Carpenter's part, though Kurt Russell was great, as he always is.
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Can't wait to see the movie version in the works. With Michael Connelly writing the script, I expect it to be one kick-ass film!
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Which is not to say that it was bad. I think a lot of people got enjoyment from it. But, as a fan of the original ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK, which was a pure adrenaline rush, I couldn't help but feel somewhat betrayed by EFLA. To have waited anxiously for fifteen years for a sequel, only to have it played for laughs, was extremely disappointing.
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It´s a great satire, just like Starship Troopers.
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Damn, Edward Woodward looks great in HD!
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Aug 31, 2007 4:49:20 AM CDT
Good to see a last final barrage of defense on EFLA!
by theycallmemrglass
Good going people - cos I dig this movie big time - it was satirical, retro, cool and fun. And yeah I loved the surfing too! The shoddy effects just added to the campy charm.
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Aug 31, 2007 5:38:01 AM CDT
EFLA is so much better than todays Drock
by nomoredirtyjokespleaseweareyanks
Russell is Plisken. DRAW!
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That stand-off scene is still the best.... Draw!
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Yeah, if you like your slavegirls covered with big unattractive moles. I imagine the downfall of Langer was HDTV. In other news, bidding has almost reached five dollars.
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