[b Hollywood has a new action star, and his name is Gerard Butler.[/b
After the huge success of “300,” Butler appears to have become a viable star — which we already knew, didn’t we? Wasting no time, Variety reports that CAA has attached Butler to a remake they’re putting together of John Carpenter’s “Escape From New York” in the role made famous by Kurt Russell.
In the original film, Manhattan has become the ultimate prison in a crime-infested future. After the President of the United States crashlands in the city, infamous criminal Snake Plissken (Russell) is offered his freedom if he travels into New York and retrieves the President.
The remake, which is currently being sought-after by all the major distributors, will be produced by Neal Moritz (“XXX”) and written by Ken Nolan (“Black Hawk Down”).
Up next for Butler is the thriller “Butterfly on a Wheel” starring Pierce Brosnan and “P.S., I Love You,” a romantic comedy co-starring Hilary Swank.