Nowhere to Run (1993)
Nowhere to Run is a 1993 American action film directed by Robert Harmon. The film stars Jean-Claude Van Damme, Rosanna Arquette, Kieran Culkin, Ted Levine, and Joss Ackland. Nowhere to Run was released in the United States on January 15, 1993, by Columbia Pictures. The film was the second collaboration between Van Damme and producer Craig Baumgarten, after Universal Soldier (1992).
Plot:
A prison bus flips on the road when it’s cut off by a car driven by Billy, who frees prisoner and partner-in-crime Sam Gillen. They escape in the car but Billy is fatally shot by a guard. Sam buys some food from a roadside store and camps near a pond. He finds the money from their latest heist in the car trunk and listens to a tape recording left by Billy before pushing the car into the pond. That night, Sam sneaks up to a nearby house and sees a woman and her two children inside. He breaks in but is nearly discovered by one of the children; he takes a salt shaker and leaves.
The next night he breaks in again to return it; the boy named Mike (nicknamed “Mookie”) finds Sam’s campsite.
Nearby demolition from real estate development disturbs Clydie Anderson, the owner of the home. Corrupt developer Franklin Hale seeks to drive her off the land with the help of his lackey, Mr. Dunston, and the local sheriff, Lonnie Poole, who is dating her. One night, goons attack Clydie and her children, but Sam arrives and fights them off. He claims he is camping and hunting on her land, and Clydie insinuates that he is not welcome, but later offers him shelter in her barn out of gratitude.
Production:
Producer Craig Baumgarten conceived the story a decade before its production from a concept by director Richard Marquand, who later collaborated with Joe Eszterhas on the script. However, following Marquand’s unexpected death, the script remained shelved for years. When seeking a project for Jean-Claude Van Damme, Baumgarten recalled the script and deemed it a suitable fit. Van Damme reportedly received $3.5 million for the role. On June 30, 1992, Daily Variety announced the $15 million film under its initial title “Pals” as part of a three-picture agreement between Columbia Pictures and Van Damme.