Like many fans of his The Crow film adaptation, director Alex Proyas is of the opinion that the film should never received a remake because the original is “not just a movie”, but rather stands as a “testament” to the talent and tragedy of its star, Eric Draven actor Brandon Lee.
Proyas offered his understanding-but-firm disapproval of the upcoming Bill Skarsgård-led remake in response to the massive dislike ratio the film’s debut trailer received on YouTube, which as of writing currently sitting at 64,000 Likes to 93,000 Dislikes.
Sharing CBR’s coverage of the trailer’s poor reception to his personal Facebook account on March 18th, Proyas asserted, “I really don’t get any joy from seeing negativity about any fellow filmmakers work. And I’m certain the cast and crew really had all good intentions, as we all do on any film. So it pains me to say any more on this topic, but I think the fan’s response speaks volumes.”
“THE CROW is not just a movie,” he added. “Brandon Lee died making it, and it was finished as a testament to his lost brilliance and tragic loss. It is his legacy. That’s how it should remain.”
Unsurprisingly, this is not the first time Proyas has voiced his opposition to the idea of remaking The Crow.
Appearing on the 61st episode of the It’s Hughezy, Hello! podcast in 2020, when asked for his opinion on the project by the show’s eponymous host Adam Hughes, the director likewise rejected the idea on the grounds “that Brandon Lee made that movie what it is. He made that movie, he made that character.”
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“That character was not taken from a comic book, that was Brandon,” he argued. “And Brandon Lee died making that movie, he paid the worst price anyone could ever pay making a movie and it’s his legacy. The guy would have been a huge star after that movie. He wasn’t able to ever do that.”
“So that’s what the movie is,” Proyas ultimately affirmed. “It’s not just a movie that can be remade. It’s one man’s legacy. And it should be treated with that level of respect.”
Further, in response to the recent reveal of Skarsgård’s take on Draven, Proyas simply dismissed, “Eric Draven’s having a bad hair day. Next reboot, thanks.”
For those unaware of the specific tragedy which befell the son of martial arts legend Bruce Lee, during filming of The Crow, with only one day left on set, the actor was fatally shot during a scene by a poorly-inspected prop gun.
As a result of the actor’s death, it’s original distributor, Paramount, proceeded to drop the film, as imagined that Lee’s death would leave the project forever incomplete.
However, it was eventually picked up by Miramax, who in turn funded its rewrites, reshoots, and CGI needed to superimpose Brandon’s face over that of his body double Chad Stahelski in order to finish it.
Helmed by Snow White and the Huntsman (2012) and Ghost in the Shell (2017) director Rupert Sanders, The Crow remake is currently on track to start testing its luck with US movie audiences on June 7th.
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