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A trailer for the new reboot of The Crow got an icy reception online, and it prompted the original film's director Alex Proyas to support the backlash.
"The fan’s response speaks volumes," wrote Proyas in a deleted post on Facebook.
The Australian filmmaker who also directed I, Robot and Gods of Egypt argued that remaking The Crow was a disservice to the legacy of Brandon Lee, who tragically died onset during production of the '90s film.
The Crow was a 1989 limited comic book series that spawned a franchise, including the original 1994 movie, three sequels, a TV series, and several graphic novels.
The story centers on a murdered musician named Eric Draven who is resurrected by a crow to seek vengeance on the street thugs who killed him and his fiancée.
Brandon Lee starred as the titular supernatural hero in the 1994 film adaptation directed by Proyas and was fatally wounded by an improperly prepared prop handgun.
A remake that had been considered since 2008 was subject to a series of complications concerning property rights, direction, and casting considerations, which included the likes of Mark Wahlberg, Bradley Cooper, James McAvoy, Luke Evans, and Jason Momoa, who were attached to various iterations and stages of production.
After years of being in limbo, a reboot starring Swedish It actor Bill Skarsgård as Eric Draven/The Crow was officially announced.
Here's the trailer.
The Crow (2024) Official Trailer - Bill Skarsgård, FKA twigs, Danny Hustonyoutu.be
Unfortunately, the trailer for the updated version of the '90s cult classic movie failed to impress fans of the Brandon Lee original.
"They should do a [The Crow] movie where Brandon Lee is [resurrected] to stop this movie from being made," remarked an unenthusiastic fan in the comments.
"The only thing this trailer accomplished was making me want to watch the original," quipped another.
A third shared their prediction on the remake's success, writing:
"If they put the original movie back in theaters the same time this one shows, the old one would most probably earn more."
In a now-deleted Facebook post, Proyas weighed in on the criticism, starting with some apprehension.
In deference to the new production, he wrote:
“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."
Proyas continued, saying of his original 1994 film:
"THE CROW is not just a movie."
"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.”
Below is a screenshot of the deleted post.
Alex Proyas/Facebook
Fans agreed with the director.
Some fans, however, set aside their initial skepticism.
Only time will tell if the reboot was a good idea.
The upcoming The Crow remake was directed by Rupert Sanders from a screenplay by Zach Baylin and Will Schneider.
The movie will be released by Lionsgate and it is scheduled for a June 7, 2024 U.S. release.