Carpenter and Cage’s ‘Riot’ Not Happening

Last year we brought you news that legendary director John Carpenter and king of crazy haircuts Nicolas Cage were teaming up to make the prison action film Riot (which was also known as Scared Straight).

I recently interviewed the producer of the film Katie Chonacas who gave me the disappointing news that it looks like the film is dead.

The original synopsis of the film was as follows:

“‘Straight’ follows a troubled youth who’s sent to prison off the ‘Scared Straight’ crime-prevention program, which imprisons delinquent teens for a short period in the hopes of deterring them from a life of crime. While the teen is there, a riot breaks out and the prisoners take him hostage. A lifer, played by Cage, is forced to help the young man out.”

When I asked Chonacas what the progress of the film was she said:

“I don’t think the film “Riot” is happening anymore, it was part of a two-picture deal however Nic Cage has the option to replace “Riot” with another film.”

I feel that this is a shame. Carpenter has been AWOL from our screens since directing 2001′s Ghosts of Mars (although he did helm a couple of episodes of TV’s Masters of Horrors) and it would have been good to see him back in Assault on Precinct 13 territory. Having said that, Chonacas doesn’t say that Carpenter has dropped out – with a bit of luck Kurt Russell will sign on and we’ll see another great Carpenter and Russell team-up.

Come on, a guy can dream!

Carpenter currently directing The Ward starring Amber Heard, which should open next year.

Look for the interview with Katie Chonacas soon on Screen Rant.

Source: Screen Rant