The production of The Crow reboot has provided fans a first glimpse of its fresh take on the gothic tale, featuring Bill Skarsgård and FKA Twigs in the lead roles of tragic lovers Eric Draven and Shelly Webster. The revealed photos showcase Skarsgård‘s interpretation of the iconic character, along with the… unique vision of director Rupert Sanders. Fans, of course, have had some choice words.
First Look: Director Rupert Sanders’ new big-screen take on ‘The Crow,’ starring Bill Skarsgård, has arrived.
Take an exclusive early look at the film: https://t.co/7UWmspwyXH
— VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) February 28, 2024
In the images that have been revealed by Lionsgate, Skarsgård dons the persona of goth rocker Eric Draven, exhibiting a distinctive appearance that wildly departs from the comic book version and the late Brandon Lee’s portrayal in the original 1994 adaptation.
Skarsgård, known for his dynamic performances, sported heavy black eye makeup, an array of tattoos, and a much shorter hairstyle. This departure has stirred discussions, with many fans calling it inferior to Brandon Lee’s signature look.
Director Rupert Sanders, however, sees the film as a tribute to Brandon Lee’s legacy, emphasizing that the new iteration aims to breathe fresh life into the horror-revenge love story introduced in the 1994 film.
Sanders acknowledges the profound impact of Lee’s portrayal, stating, “Brandon was an original voice, and I think he will always be synonymous with The Crow, and I hope he’s proud of what we’ve done and how we’ve brought the story back again. His soul is very much alive in this film.”
Sanders lauds Skarsgård for bringing a “disturbing beauty” to the role, describing a “fragility and beauty” that he believes makes Skarsgård a worthy successor to the iconic character. The director drew inspiration from modern-day artists like Post Malone and Lil Peep to craft a contemporary and relatable version of Draven, one that he hopes resonates with today’s audience.
In addition to the leading cast’s portrayal, two additional images from the reboot offer a glimpse into the dark romance between Eric and Shelly. The first photo captures an intimate moment by a campfire, while the second shows the characters on the verge of a kiss, separated only by a thin white veil.
Contrary to Sanders’ interpretation, director of the original 1994 film Alex Proyas expressed criticism on social media for the new look given to Eric Draven. On his Facebook page, Proyas posted the revealed image of Skarsgård as Eric Draven captioned “Eric Draven’s having a bad hair day. Next reboot, thanks.”
Proyas continued to share lighthearted jabs at Skarsgård’s appearance, expressing skepticism about the direction of the reboot and its potential impact on Brandon Lee’s legacy. Many fans have expressed similar takes on the newly revealed design direction.
Alex Proyas’ original adaptation of James O’Barr’s cult comic book antihero was released in 1994. Bruce Lee‘s son, Brandon Lee, top-billed the movie. The film faced challenges during production when Lee suffered a fatal accident involving a prop weapon, requiring innovative techniques to complete his remaining scenes.
Upon release, The Crow received high praise for Brandon Lee’s final performance and the unexpected depth of the plot, earning $94 million worldwide on a $23 million budget. After the first film, there would be multiple attempts at cashing in on its success.
The first was The Crow: City of Angels (1996), which would later be followed by The Crow: Salvation (2000), and The Crow: Wicked Prayer (2005). There was also The Crow: Stairway to Heaven (1998), a 22-episode syndicated TV series which starred Mark Dacascos.
There had been rumors of a new film, with Jason Momoa (Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom) set to star, but the project fell by the wayside. After several years of casting and directorial changes, The Crow reboot finally materialized with Bill Skarsgård in the titular role.
The film, directed by Rupert Sanders and featuring a screenplay by Zach Baylin and Will Schneider, boasts a talented cast including FKA Twigs, Danny Huston, Isabella Wei, Laura Birn, Sami Bouajila, and Jordan Bolger.
The Crow is scheduled for a theatrical release date on June 7, 2024, promising a fresh perspective on the cult classic. Will this reboot of The Crow successfully pay homage to its iconic predecessor while carving out its own place in cinematic history? Or is the lukewarm response to the new look a bad omen for the reboot?
