Films

‘Escape From New York’ Turns 45: The Four Actors the Studio Wanted Instead of Kurt Russell

When "Escape From New York" premiered in 1981, Kurt Russell's performance as Snake Plissken became one of the defining action roles of the decade.

By Clara Migliardo

July 10, 2026 12:33PM EDT

**© IMDb**Kurt Russell - Charles Bronson.

It is now difficult to imagine anyone else behind the iconic eyepatch, but that almost wasn’t the case. According to IMDb trivia, the studio had several other actors in mind before director John Carpenter successfully fought to cast Russell, a decision that would ultimately reshape the performer’s career and create one of cinema’s most memorable antiheroes. Here, the four stars that were considered.

Tommy Lee Jones

One of the studio’s preferred choices was Tommy Lee Jones. By the early 1980s, he had built a strong reputation through acclaimed dramatic performances in films such as “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” for which he received widespread praise. His serious screen presence made him a logical candidate for the gritty role of Snake Plissken.

Charles Bronson

Charles Bronson was another actor the studio strongly wanted for Snake Plissken. By the early 1980s, he had become one of Hollywood’s biggest action stars thanks to films such as “Death Wish,” making him an obvious commercial choice. John Carpenter, however, rejected the idea. The director believed Bronson was too old for the character and was also concerned that such an established star might challenge or even overshadow his authority on set. Carpenter instead continued pushing for Kurt Russell, a much riskier choice at the time.

Chuck Norris

The studio also considered Chuck Norris, whose popularity had been steadily growing through martial arts films. Following “Good Guys Wear Black,” “The Octagon,” and “A Force of One,” Norris had become one of the most recognizable action performers in Hollywood and was viewed as a commercially safe option for the role.

Nick Nolte

Nick Nolte rounded out the list of actors the studio favored. After gaining national attention in the television miniseries “Rich Man, Poor Man,” Nolte had become a major Hollywood leading man with films such as “North Dallas Forty.” His rugged appearance made him another strong contender for Snake Plissken before Carpenter ultimately secured Russell.

Clara Migliardo

Clara is about to graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Writing Arts at the National University of Arts in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In her role as a writer for Spoiler US, she covers movies, TV shows, streaming platforms, celebrities, and other topics of entertainment and general interest. Since 2021, she has been working as a film critic for Bendito Spoiler, Cinema Saturno, and Peliplat, attending festivals, conducting interviews, and regularly participating in cinematic debate podcasts. Her main focus of work is in the horror genre.