Any interest surrounding the upcoming reboot of The Crow by Lionsgate quickly turned sour as fans voiced their disapproval of the first released trailer – a reaction foreshadowed by similar ire drawn by initial promo photos released earlier.
Directed by Rupert Sanders and featuring a screenplay by Zach Baylin and Will Schneider, the new film produced under Lionsgate boasts an interesting ensemble cast including FKA Twigs, Danny Huston, Isabella Wei, Laura Birn, Sami Bouajila, and Jordan Bolger.
Sanders has expressed his intention to pay tribute to the legacy of the late Brandon Lee, aiming to infuse new life into the horror-revenge narrative that captivated audiences decades ago. The director of the original film doesn’t feel that tribute, which is a good reflection of the general temperature of fan reactions.
It seems that the new iteration of The Crow has failed to capture the essence of what made the original so beloved. The first trailer was released and fans took to social media such as X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit to voice out their disapproval of the choices made for this new reboot.
Looks like jared leto joker from suicide squad pic.twitter.com/EH3o2Ql5Ct
— Broken Deity (@BroknDeity) March 14, 2024
In the trailer, Eric Draven (portrayed by Bill Skarsgård) and Shelly Webster (played by FKA Twigs) are depicted as recovering addicts. There is also far more screen time spent exploring Eric and Shelly’s relationship.
Another departure from the original storyline where Draven’s tragic fate is triggered by a home invasion is instead having Shelly witness a supernatural crime thus becoming targeted by the antagonists. These narrative shifts, while attempting to introduce fresh elements, has left fans of The Crow divided.
Some of the hardcore fans have expressed extreme disappointment, noting that the trailer lacks the cohesive ambiance and artistic qualities that were hallmarks of the original film. The look and feel of the 1994 film was inspired by the popular Goth and Grunge aesthetic of the time. It also had obvious influences from Tim Burton‘s 1989 Batman set designs and production.
Furthermore, the visual portrayal of Skarsgård as Draven has drawn a lot of criticism, with many fans comparing it unfavorably to Brandon Lee’s iconic depiction. Skarsgård’s interpretation, characterized by heavy black eye makeup, tattoos, and a shorter hairstyle, diverges significantly from the traditional image of Draven found in the comics and the original adaptation. Comparisons were mockingly made with Jared Leto‘s DCEU version of The Joker and the 2013 DmC: Devil May Cry version of Dante.
Known for its cult status, the James O’Barr comic book of The Crow and the original 1994 film starring the late Brandon Lee hold a special place in the hearts of many fans. The Crow 2024 reboot is not the first attempt to capitalize on the success of the original film.
Sequels and spin-offs have been produced in the past, including The Crow: City of Angels (1996), The Crow: Salvation (2000), and The Crow: Wicked Prayer (2005), as well as a television series titled The Crow: Stairway to Heaven (1998) starring Mark Dacascos.
Director Rupert Sanders remains optimistic about the reboot. He continues to emphasize the influence of Lee’s portrayal against all evidence, and expressed his hope that the late actor would approve of the new direction.
He commends Skarsgård for bringing a “disturbing beauty” to the role, drawing inspiration from contemporary 2020s music artists and celebrities like Post Malone to craft a version of Draven that resonates with modern audiences.
Despite the initial backlash, The Crow is still slated for release on June 7, 2024. Whether the reboot will reignite interest in the franchise or fall short of expectations remains to be seen. What did you think of what was shown in The Crow trailer? Is it a worthy homage to Brandon Lee’s cult classic or does it stray too far from the original?
