Prior to 300 most people (aside from his rabid PHANTOM OF THE OPERA fans) weren’t all that knowledgable about Gerard Butler. Now with the $70 million-plus opening of 300, I don’t think Butler will have that problem anymore. Case in point: a bidding war has erupted over a remake of ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK with Butler set to star. CAA put together the package with Butler starring, Neal Moritz producing and a script by Ken Nolan (BLACK HAWK DOWN). Butler would star in the Snake Plissken role Kurt Russell made famous in John Carpenter’s cult classic. I’m not sure I fully support a ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK remake (especially one remade by Neal “STEALTH” Moritz) but if there has to be a guy to step in for Russell in Plissken’s shoes, Butler is definitely that guy. Butler can be seen next in the dramedy PS, I LOVE YOU with Hilary Swank.