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- Who Starred in the Original Film & What Was It About?
- The Tragic Death of Brandon Lee
- Polarizing Reaction to the Reboot
- Bill Skarsgård Even Has His Own Reservations
As a die-hard fan of the original 1994 masterpiece “The Crow,” I must admit that I’ve been following the developments of this reboot with a mixture of intrigue, trepidation, and a dash of skepticism. Being a film enthusiast who’s seen more than my fair share of remakes and adaptations, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia for Brandon Lee, whose life was tragically cut short during the making of the original film.
Thirty years ago, the gothic cult classic movie “The Crow” first appeared on screens, following a long-awaited release due to unfortunate events during production. Unfortunately, lead actor Brandon Lee’s life was tragically ended when he was accidentally shot with a prop gun while filming a scene for the comic book adaptation. His family and colleagues were left heartbroken, as his untimely death halted the growth of an illustrious career that could have reached even greater heights.
The shocking accident ignited a vast discussion about safety measures and guidelines on film sets, as a tragic occurrence that bore an unsettling resemblance happened again in 2021 when cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was unintentionally shot and killed by a bullet on the set of the Western movie Rust. However, despite strong opposition from fans and those associated with the original film, a remake of The Crow, featuring Bill Skarsgård, is scheduled to premiere in theaters on August 23, 2024. With great anticipation surrounding what the new version will bring and whether or not it will uphold Lee’s legacy, let us delve into the history of The Crow and understand why Skarsgård himself has expressed concerns about the project.
Who Starred in the Original Film & What Was It About?
In the spirit of the comic book series, the 1994 gothic superhero film “The Crow” featured Brandon Lee as Eric Draven, a heavy metal guitarist who was cruelly killed by a vicious street gang after his beloved fiancée Shelly suffered a fatal assault during their violent attack. On the anniversary of their tragic demise, Draven is mysteriously brought back to life by a crow and transforms into a supernatural avenger, seeking out and punishing the culprits responsible for this senseless act of violence. In his quest for revenge, Draven sets his sights on the powerful crime lord known as Top Dollar.
In this tale, Ernie Hudson, formerly of Ghostbusters, portrayed Sergeant Daryl Albrecht. This character found Shelly following the attack and delved into the chilling actions of the enigmatic vigilante, known as Top Dollar, who was skillfully played by Michael Wincott. In a competitive casting process, Lee secured the role of Eric Draven over contenders River Phoenix and Christian Slater. This victory impressed James O’Barr, creator of The Crow comics, who initially had concerns that the film adaptation might become a typical kung fu movie. However, Lee’s impactful audition alleviated these fears, as O’Barr later acknowledged the freshness and power he brought to the table.
Few people fully appreciate the extent of his dedication – he personally crafted all fight sequences and most stunts, except for falling off buildings which was prohibited. His acting skills were also impressive; he managed to balance humor, suffering, and intimidation perfectly within his character.
The Tragic Death of Brandon Lee
Brandon Lee, son of the renowned martial artist and movie legend Bruce Lee, was steadily climbing the ranks as an emerging action star. Notable appearances in films like “Legacy of Rage,” “Showdown in Little Tokyo,” and “Rapid Fire” showcased his screen presence and remarkable physical abilities. When he landed the role of Eric Draven in “The Crow,” he threw himself into it, losing 20 pounds for the part, and also collaborated personally on the action choreography. Moreover, he advocated for the removal of a subplot that perpetuated Asian stereotypes.
In the chill of March 30, 1993, mere days away from wrapping up my work on ‘The Crow’, I found myself embroiled in a tragic incident. During a pivotal scene where my character encountered Funboy, portrayed by Michael Massee, an unfortunate accident unfolded. The prop gun used in our confrontation had a dummy bullet and somehow, the lead tip got jammed down its barrel. Upon discharge, this projectile struck me fatally in the abdomen.
Following the inexplicable disaster, an exhaustive two-month probe into the calamitous incident unfolded, concluding that the incident was an accident. This revelation left the studio and producers grappling with a tough dilemma: whether to complete The Crow or abandon it. Eventually, they decided to rally together in memory of Lee and finish the film. A stand-in and digital face replacement were employed to complete the project. Dedicated to Lee and his fiancée Eliza Hutton, The Crow was released to critical acclaim, earning $94 million and cementing its status as a cult classic.
Polarizing Reaction to the Reboot
There have been whispers about possibly reviving or restarting the film “The Crow” since 2008. The project faced difficulties, and actors like Luke Evans, Bradley Cooper, Jason Momoa, and Jack Huston were each linked to play Eric Draven at different stages of development. However, the original author James O’Barr initially objected to a reboot. In 2014, he was brought onboard as a consultant for potential adaptations. Over time, O’Barr has shared his thoughts on remakes and expressed his views about them.
“I don’t have high hopes. I believe that no matter who you cast or even if you hire Ridley Scott as director and invest $200 million, it won’t surpass the achievement of Brandon Lee and Alex Proyas with their initial film made on a budget of just ten million dollars.”
Alex Proyas, the director of the initial film, has expressed his opposition towards any future adaptations or reboots of the movie. In a podcast discussion from 2019, he stated, “Every time I hear about one, I try to put a stop to it, though I’m not sure if I’ve been successful. It’s not just a film that can be remade; it’s a legacy of an individual. It deserves that much respect.” Despite the criticism from those associated with the 1994 movie ‘The Crow’ and fans’ justified apprehension, work on the project continued in 2020, with Bill Skarsgård being chosen to play Eric Draven and Rupert Sanders set to direct.
As a devoted cinephile reviewing this upcoming reboot, I can share that the filmmakers aimed to create a hauntingly romantic tale and emphasize the complex themes of morality and loss reminiscent of the original comics. Moreover, they intended to pay homage to the late Lee by having Alexander Skarsgård’s portrayal of Eric Draven serve as a fitting successor to his legacy. Immersing himself fully into the role, Skarsgård endeavored to embody the spirit of the character in a way that was uniquely his own. However, it is said that he expressed some reservations about the creative choices made for this reboot and has not shied away from expressing his concerns openly.
Bill Skarsgård Even Has His Own Reservations
After wrapping up filming for the action-comedy “Boy Kills World”, Alexander Skarsgård promptly joined the set of “The Crow”. However, the actor maintained the highly defined muscular physique he believed was incongruous with Eric Draven’s character. Later, he openly voiced his concerns about Draven’s physical appearance, stating, “I found it odd being in great shape for Eric. I wished he were skinny! He wasn’t someone who worked out, not at all. Ideally, he should have been less fit during the initial part of the movie.”
Besides concerns about Draven’s character portrayal, Skarsgård expressed disappointment over the ambiguous ending of the reboot. In an interview with Esquire magazine in 2024, Skarsgård openly shared his discontentment with the film’s final scenes, which he believes were changed by the director to pave the way for a potential sequel. He told the publication, “I felt a more conclusive ending would have been better.”
Despite facing challenges and doubts about its success due to ongoing controversy and uncertainty (not just from fans but also its main actor), only the future can determine whether the 2024 reboot of The Crow will fly or falter at the box office. Skarsgård is certain to deliver a top-notch performance, as he consistently does with his diverse array of intriguing roles, notably leaving indelible impressions in films like It, The Devil All the Time, Barbarian, and John Wick: Chapter 4. Eager fans of the original cult hit are likely to give the movie a chance, making it an exciting moment to see what new elements The Crow will bring when it eventually debuts after much anticipation.
Watch The Crow in theaters on August 23, 2024.
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2024-08-11 21:32