The Crow, a 1994 film starring the legendary Brandon Lee in a major role, left an indelible imprint on pop culture. While its popularity skyrocketed, it also became a terrible piece of Hollywood history owing to Lee’s sudden on-set death, evocative of his famed father, Bruce Lee.
This spooky link spawned a slew of speculations and stories, heightening the impact of Brandon’s gripping performance as the renowned character. The Crow, based on James O’Barr’s comic books, tells the story of a murdered musician who is revived to avenge the deaths of his and his fiancée.
This melancholy plot, combined with the film’s tragic conclusion, has cemented it as an action cinema classic of the troubled ’90s. Fast forward to now, and the iconic franchise’s revival is starting after several decades of work.
Here’s an in-depth look at what we know so far about this highly anticipated venture.
‘THE CROW,’ a reimagining of the 1994 cult classic, will be released in 2024 by Lionsgate.
Starring Bill Skarsgård and FKA Twigs. pic.twitter.com/GXLKvKcAvK
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) September 7, 2023
While remaining true to the core of the original picture, the reboot promises to add a tough female lead. With today’s socio-cultural milieu and modern cinematic trends, this interpretation seeks to delve deeper into the gothic darkness.
Given The Crow’s inherent relationship to death symbolism and literary masterpieces such as Edgar Allan Poe’s works, this new chapter may expand frontiers beyond the original picture. However, problems occur, reflecting the past.
With fresh memories of the Rust set accident and the weight of Brandon Lee’s legacy, every attempt to resurrect the film is met with reservations.
The reboot gives an opportunity for redemption by honouring the original, emphasising on-set safety, and mirroring the crow’s everlasting motif of death and darkness.
The Crow reboot lands at @Lionsgate pic.twitter.com/lBzaHhE1a1
— BossLogic (@Bosslogic) September 9, 2023
Rupert Sanders, known director films such as Snow White and the Huntsman, is in charge of the project. Producers Victor Hadida, Molly Hassell, John Jencks, and Edward R. Pressman join him, with executive producer Dan Farah.
Bill Skarsgard, most known for his unsettling version of Pennywise, has been entrusted with bringing the renowned Crow persona to life. Along with him, the multi-talented FKA Twigs plays the Crow’s companion, promising a unique perspective on the story.
The revamp adds a new dimension to the female lead’s story, potentially delivering a more comprehensive portrayal packed with depth and nuance.
The Crow first appeared in Calibre Comics in 1989. With this relaunch, a new generation will be introduced to the mix of gothic romance and vengeful spirits, while older fans will be able to relive the magic, albeit with a modern twist.