Because Hollywood can neither leave a good thing alone NOR come up with an original idea to save its life, it is being reported that plans are underway to relaunch The Crow movie franchise with a new star and a new tone for the films (films, I should point out, that were based on The Crow comic books created by Detroiter James O’Barr). As you may know, the late Brandon Lee (son of the late martial arts icon Bruce Lee) starred as The Crow in the original 1994 film and he was tragically killed while making the film. The movie was released anyways and went on to enjoy some success. Sequel Crow films each featured different actors in the lead role and failed to do very well at the box office. It would seem the plan is now to relaunch the entire franchise with a fresh new start:

Since it was announced that Relativity Media is developing “The Crow”, no one has been reported being in talks to play the major character, Eric Draven. In a recent interview with io9, producer Ryan Kavanaugh has talked about the progress of the project, including his “good ideas” for the casting. Asked if he has begun selecting actors for the movie, Kavanaugh stated, “We’re looking. We’re in discussions.” Moreover, he suggested that the chosen actor could be either someone famous or a new star, saying “It will be an actor you’ve heard of, yes. We’re not ruling anything out. We’re looking at both, with the very well known and the ‘very talented but they may not be quite there yet.” Gushing about the new “The Crow” film, Kavanaugh said, “I think it’s something cool, we’re approaching it differently. It’s really a whole relaunch of the franchise, much more of a dark superhero type.” He later assured the upcoming movie will not be “a remake”, but it will be “literally a relaunch of the franchise.” “Oh yeah, we’re sticking to the flavor of it. We’re just relaunching it and making it with a much more present day character, someone more relatable to everybody,” Kavanaugh went on explaining. While about the make up, he insisted that it will be “totally different” than in the original movie. “He’ll have makeup, but it will be different. The best way to compare it is the first ‘Batman’ and ‘Batman Begins’. In terms of their look and feel and character,” he further explained. Though the script for the movie has been completed and it “is great”, Kavanaugh admitted that the studio has not given a green light for his next project. “We’re very excited about it. ‘The Crow’ is definitely going to happen, we’re just getting all the pieces together right now. It’s not officially green lit, but it’s going to happen… I think in a couple months we could have the package together for sure,” he insisted. “The Crow” is based on a comic book series by James O’Barr. The story will revolve around a young man named Eric Draven who after being left for dead on the side of the road by a gang of street thugs, is resurrected by a Crow and seeks vengeance. The first film adapted from the comics stars the late Brandon Lee.

While I am very happy to see that The Crow will live again, I have mixed feelings about this reboot. The original Crow film holds a very special place in my heart. Not only is it set in a dark and stormy Detroit, MI (on Devil’s Night, no less) but it also had a profound effect on me as a youth back in ’94. The look of the film, the feel of the characters, the music on the film soundtrack (which includes Nine Inch Nails among some of my other fave bands) — those boots and leather pants … effected me on a very personal level. Add to that The Crow was the first movie that my BFF Sarah and I ever saw together … on a date! LOL. I just love Brandon Lee in that film and he will always be The Crow to me. Whatever this reboot may turn out to be, I hope it will stay true to the original vision of O’Barr‘s comics … and it better stay set in Detroit Rock City. I was never a fan of the subsequent sequels (The Crow: City of Angels set in LA is among THE worst films I have ever seen) but the original film with Lee as The Crow is holy in my eyes. I’m curious to see what producers come up with for this reboot … but, yeah, they’ll never be able to touch the original.

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