Guy Pearce stars in ‘Lockout’

When: Opening Friday at local theaters

Cast: Guy Pearce, Maggie Grace, Peter Stormare

Directors: Stephen St. Leger, James Mather

The story: A man, wrongly convicted of conspiracy to commit espionage against the U.S., tries to earn his freedom by rescuing the president’s daughter from an outer-space prison controlled by violent inmates.

The buzz: Executive producer Luc Besson (“La Femme Nikita”) is credited with this futuristic actioner’s story — and as co-writer with directors St. Leger and Mather. But maybe he should send a thank-you note to John Carpenter, considering the many ways in which it echoes Carpenter’s 1981 “Escape From New York.”

— CAROL CLING