The upcoming cinematic reboot of The Crow franchise has found a new home at Lionsgate. Per The Hollywood Reporter, Lionsgate has acquired the distribution rights for the new comic book movie starring Bill Skarsgård, FKA Twigs, and Danny Huston.
LIONSGATE ACQUIRES DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS FOR THE CROW REBOOT
The film is based on the late 1980s comic by James O’Barr, which was first adapted into a live-action feature in 1994 starring the late Brandon Lee as Eric Draven; a rocker who comes back from the dead to avenge the death of his fiancee by the men who raped and murdered her. In the original comic, the man and his fiancée are killed by a gang after their car breaks down. The man takes vengeance after being resurrected as The Crow.
Alex Proyas directed the 1994 film, where actor Brandon Lee was killed in an on-set accident. Rupert Sanders (Snow White and the Huntsman, Ghost in the Shell) directs the reboot, with Skarsgård in the titular role. FKA Twigs will play Eric Draven’s love interest in the reboot, and the character’s role is set to be more fleshed out for this go around.
Huston, Laura Birn, Sami Bouajila, and Jordan Bolger also star in the upcoming film. It’s produced by Victor Hadida Molly Hassell, John Jencks, the late Samuel Hadida, and Edward R. Pressman. Sanders directed the film from a script by Zach Baylin (King Richard, Creed III, Gran Turismo) and Will Schneider.
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Speaking on the news, the producers said in a joint statement, “The original film left an indelible mark on our culture that lives on.” They continued, “We are thrilled to bring a new adaptation for today’s audiences that respects this legacy. Rupert has masterfully brought new dimensions to create a contemporary universe for this timeless saga of undying love, and we can’t wait to share this vision with film audiences.”
Lionsgate executive VP of Acquisitions and Co-Productions Said Charlotte Koh added in her own personal statement on the news: “We appreciate what The Crow character and original movie mean to legions of fans and believe this new film will offer audiences an authentic and visceral reinterpretation of its emotional power and mythology.”
CAA Media Finance negotiated the domestic rights deal for the film. Koh is overseeing the project for Lionsgate, and John Biondo oversaw it for the studio.
Deadline reports that CAA Media Finance and Lionsgate finalized the deal Wednesday night (Sept. 6). The distribution deal is reportedly valued in the eight-figure range. Deadline also notes that the reboot is expected to hit theaters later next year. The film was shot on location in Prague, Czechoslovakia, and Munich, Germany. It was said to be filmed for a budget of $50 million.
The 1994 film is still fairly iconic. It came out before comic book movies were huge business. It was a dark, brooding, R-rated film, and it was also fairly successful, grossing over $50 million during its initial theatrical release. It would later spawn multiple sequels and a short-lived television series. However, none of them were ever as successful as the 1994 film with the late Brandon Lee.
A cinematic reboot of The Crow has been kicked around Hollywood for many years. The reboot has gone through many scripts, filmmakers, and actors. Some of the other actors who were kicked around for the lead were Luke Evans, Bradley Cooper, Jack Huston, and Jason Momoa. However, it looks like the new reboot with Bill Skarsgård will finally see the light of day when The Crow lands in theaters later next year.
What do you think of the news? Are you excited that The Crow cinematic reboot is finally happening? Does the news that Lionsgate acquired the film raise your expectations or lower them? What are your expectations of Skarsgård’s casting? Let us know your thoughts on the news on The Illuminerdi’s social media.
SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline
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