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In the time where we are getting never-ending series of legacy Marvel and DC superheroes like Spider-Man and Superman, or spin-offs of anti-heroes like Loki, or stand-alone projects on less prominent superheroes like Blue Beetle, it’s very tough to stand out and really capture viewers’ imagination with yet another story of an individual with extraterrestrial powers.
But the 90s saw the emergence of the Crow – a peculiar character who could be deemed both a hero and anti-hero based on one’s perception. The movie, which was led by the late Brandon Lee, stood out in the 90s and has the potential to nudge if not push the already established Marvel and DC franchises in today’s time.
Brandon Lee as The Crow.
The 1994 hit is set for a reboot, and producer Sam Pressman, who’s the son of Ed Pressman, the producer behind movies like American Psycho and The Crow, has high hopes for it.
How The Crow Reboot Could Rival $29.6b Marvel
The Crow, much like most Marvel characters, rose from the comic books. The undead vigilante, who was brought back to life by a supernatural crow, was originally created by American artist James O’Barr in 1989. Its success led to its first high-profile movie in 1994, starring Bruce Lee’s son, Brandon Lee.
Bill Skarsgård will feature in The Crow.
Lee played the character of musician Eric Draven, who’s murdered alongside his fiancée before their wedding by some individuals from an inner-city gang. On the anniversary of their death, Eric comes back from the dead to become a supernatural crow avenger. His vigilante justice, obviously, divided opinions, leading to debate over whether he’s a hero or anti-hero. Either way, it was far from anything mainstream, and the 1994 movie turned out to be a success and led to more chapters throughout the 90s.
Now, Pressman is bringing its reboot, which has been picked up by Lionsgate. The movie stars Bill Skarsgård and FKA Twigs in lead roles. And much like what happened in the 90s, this version of The Crow is also unlikely to stop with just one chapter. In fact, Pressman’s comments suggest he has big plans for the property. He told Deadline:
“I think the movie is just going to blow people away. Our partners want to approach it in a very 360 way, whether it be video games, an animated series or a universe, but it’s got this cosmic legacy that can expand beyond a singular story. We’re finally at a point where we can really explore those other avenues because it’s such a unique property in that it is not a studio film, it’s not a Marvel film – it’s kind of an anti-Marvel film.”
Whether we label The Crow a franchise like Marvel or call it anti-Marvel, what’s exciting for its traditional fans from the 90s is that there isn’t a myopic vision attached to the property. Having seen the dominance of the MCU, which has grossed more than 29.6 billion at the box office, it’d be refreshing to see another brand share their different property-inspired takes.
What Happened to Bruce Lee’s Son Brandon Lee During the Filming of The Crow
When The Crow first entered pop culture through James O’Barr’s pen, there was an ominous aura attached to the dark protagonist. Even the movie had a very gothic feel, with its script brimmed with scenes of heavy rains.
The Crow star Brandon Lee.
Behind the scenes, as per a report from Entertainment Weekly, the movie’s production had been plagued by a series of incidents, including the near electrocution of a carpenter.
The biggest tragedy, however, struck the lead face of the movie, Brandon Lee. During the filming, the 28-year-old rising star was shot by a prop gun that contained a real bullet. Lee was raced to the hospital, but he unfortunately succumbed to his wound.
Read more: The Batman Star Robert Pattinson Risked Career Suicide With $94M Superhero Reboot Movie That Killed Lead Actor During Filming
Source: Deadline
