Press - Exclusive Interviews - Joe Thornton (Moderator of SnakePlissken.Net, Snake/Escape expert etc)




Joe, you are everywhere helping out, contributing and consulting about Snake and the Escape movies. What keeps you going?

I like to keep the Snake universe going. A lot of fans out there don't know Snake other than what they see in the film. So when ever I can help I like to help. Either with writing stories or helping with websites. It's a lot of fun to help people get there ideas about EFNY on the right track and also to contribute as best I can.

When did you see Escape From New York for the first time and why do you like it so much?

I saw Escape from New York for the first time as I was walking threw a friend of mine's living room. His dad was watching it on HBO and I sat down and asked him what this movie was and he told me. And that was the start of all this for me. I like EFNY for the reason that I was just blown away with the Snake character, he is a character that I was able to relate to on a very personal level.

If you could go back and change something in the movie what would that be?

I would change the fact that Escape from New York was not closer to the Novel. The Novel has more detail about the characters and the fact that the film wasn't long enough, combine the film and movie so to speak.

What is it about Snake that strike a nerve in you? In what ways has he inspired you?

What is it that strikes a nerve in me about Snake... Hum... The fact that he is a man surviving in a world gone horribly wrong and the fact that he will do what all of us would like to be able to do. And he only has a few hours to complete a mission at impossible odds and gets it done. And gets back at the people that changed his life. He inspires me to go beyond the limits of what we can do. And he does it with style.

You're one of the moderators of Snakeplissken.net. How did you end up being one?

I became one of the moderators at Snakeplissken.net because the owner Matt Huston could see my dedication to Snake and the fact that I would not let any misgivings so to speak be allowed on the site. And I am one of the moderator's to this day. After seven years.

There seems to be a lack of interest in SnakePlissken.Net these days. Why do you think it is so? What advice would you say to them who has disappeared and never write in it anymore?

The lack of interest is mostly due to the fact that a lot of the fans have nothing new to go on. It's been on let down after another in the pass few years. And I suppose the fans on the site are just tired of the nothing. My advice to them would be to just keep looking for EFNY everywhere. Now again there are "Rumors" of a "Remake". I will believe it when I see it.

You've been a great help of both Will King's EFNY Novel Rewrite and Hector De la Rosa's Escape From New York 1.5. In what way do you help them and why do you think people want your help so much?

People want my help I suppose it's because I know EFNY and Snake Plissken enough that people ask and I do what I can. I helped Will King do his "Upgrade", what I mean by this is he upgraded the weapons and machine's in the story. And he asked what I thought about various weapons and helicopters and such... He did all the work. Now Hector Del La Rosa... GOD he is like a massive flood when it comes to EFNY and Snake Plissken. I think that Hector just needed some honing and a little more information than he had so I helped him. But to be honest with you he really didn't need to much help from me. Something like a kick start. The two are AWESOME, I'm glad I could help both of them and my friend Gayle Bykowicz with her snakevssolidsnakesite. And you also my friend.

You've also written a fan fic yourself called The Delta Escape. Why did you want to write it? Also, thank you for naming a guy Johansson. Very nice.

I wrote "The Delta Escape" as a kind of joke. I was reflecting the comic that came out years ago about a robot that is after Snake Plissken and it could think as Snake does. But in this case it turn's out to be RoboCop. Your welcome about the characters name.

You've also done several Snake drawings. What are you looking for in your drawings?

I drew my drawings just to place my ideas on paper. My drawings where never intended to impress anyone other than myself and now there on the internet and everyone all over the planet can see them. So this is very cool. I look for in my drawings some little thing about Snake that I liked and wanted to just keep.

What do you think about Escape From L.A? What do you like and dislike?

Escape from L.A., this film made Snake Plissken look like a fool, it undermines everything about Snake Plissken. This Snake Plissken in my opinion is from another universe and should NEVER be mistaken for the REAL Snake Plissken in Escape from New York. L.A. is a bad joke.

What is your thoughts about remaking EFNY? who would you like to see play Snake and is there any particular director you'd like to make it?

I think that "IF" they're going to remake EFNY then they need to get their information together and right. Get someone on the writing staff that knows what Snake is all about and what EFNY is all about. Right now I don't have any one person I think can play Snake on the big screen. I don't know at this point who I would want to direct it. As long as they keep the essence of the film "TRUE" and not take away or change events. DO IT RIGHT.

What advice would you give to the makers of the EFNY remake?

My advice to the remakers is have your information correct about what your doing and have your information given to you, by someone that knows for sure about what Escape From New York is really all about. If they have any questions or doubts they can contact myself at joe@accessatc.net or thenamesplissken@yahoo.com and Hector De La Rosa will be more than happy to help.

If you could write or direct a Snake movie, what kind of story and ingredients would you incorporate?

If I could write and direct a Snake movie...? HUM... I would start by having Snake get himself together, after all he just Escaped New York Max! I would have back ground and more history about character's and it would be longer and it would not have anything reflecting L.A. period.

Are you frustrated over all the cancelled Snake projects in the past. Was there something particular you looked forward to or are you happy something didn't get made?

I am tired of all the let downs over the years. The passing Of Debra Hill (GRHS) I think had a very important impact on what was happening, at the time one day Snake Plissken comics the next day a new DVD SP edition, then the rumors of a new film this would get any Snake fan going. Then it was all gone. I have always stated that Snake is here and then gone. Almost as if he were a real man. But he always comes back... somehow. I looked forward to new things relating to Snake and EFNY and the reprinting of some of the original merchandise as well. In a way I'm happy that there hasn't been a remake. Escape From New York is one of those film masterpieces that should be left alone. Because nobody out there can redo the film right or as it should be without some kind of change either to the story or to take some aspects of what's will be important out of it. So just leave it alone if you don't know what your doing.

If you could ask John Carpenter only one question what would that be?

What would I ask John Carpenter? I would ask him a great deal about a great many things.

If you could ask Kurt Russell only one question what would that be?

What would I ask Kurt Russell? The same as J.C.

What else do you do besides contributing Snake stuff, moderating Snake, writing about Snake, talking about Snake, drawing Snake etc?

I still like to help fans with their Snake problems or projects. I like to work on my 6ft Battlestar and read. And study about the Lord.

Are you optimistic or pessimistic about the future?

I don't know what will happen with all that is going on so I will have to hold out and watch and make my comments known then.

What's your favorite Snake moment?

My favorite Snake moment The whole film really. I suppose it is when Snake is walking down the road to the pod. The site of the city and the long road ahead and the music. It lets one know just how Snake's world really is, in just that few seconds

Is there anything else you'd like to say? Now's your opportunity.

I think that covers it my friend. Thank you for letting me contribute to your site over the years and letting me be of help.
 
Thank you for your time Joe.