Would You Want a Remake of 'The Crow'? ...with Jason Statham?
Filed under: Casting, Fandom, Comic/Superhero/Geek, Remakes and Sequels
Because of Heath Ledger's premature death and the uncertainty of what will now happen to the actor's unfinished final film, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, I've been thinking a lot about The Crow this week. Aside from the Joker/Crow connection from last April, I'm sure you recall that Brandon Lee died while filming that comic book adaptation, and some clever special effects had to be employed in order for the picture to be finished. Anyway, I really loved the film when it came out back in 1994, but I eventually let go of being its fan, partly because of the kids who were too obsessed with the title character (if you ever hung out at goth clubs, you know what I'm talking about) and ruined it for me, and partly because of the crappy film franchise that it spawned. But I've been thinking about revisiting the first installment, at least for nostalgic purposes.I'm apparently not the only one thinking of revisiting The Crow, though others seem to have different reasons for looking back. According to actor Jason Statham, who talked about available comic book roles with IESB.net, there's talk in Hollywood of a remake. The action star seemed to say that if he was offered the part of Eric Draven (aka The Crow), then he would be quick to grab it (the actual quote: "So if that one comes my way, bang!"). He also mentioned taking a meeting to play Namor (aka Sub-Mariner), but wasn't so keen on wearing the green Speedo and ankle wings. He also expressed a desire to play the Hulk, though he points out that he's glad Edward Norton, his Italian Job co-star, is doing that one (The Incredible Hulk is being helmed by Louis Leterrier, Statham's director on the first two Transporter movies, by the way). But despite continuing on with three franchises with Crank 2: High Voltage, Transporter 3 and The Brazilian Job, the actor hopes he'll be able to one day snag a comic book part. Should it be The Crow? Or should there be a remake of The Crow (or new adaptation of James O'Barr's comics) at all?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-24-2008 @ 5:19PM
robert said...
i really liked that first film and thought the rest were trash...
i'd hate to see the bad wig they'd have to put on Statham in order to get him to even vaguely resemble the character as J. O'Barr envisioned him in the comic.
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1-24-2008 @ 6:04PM
Wes said...
No to Statham and No to a remake!
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1-24-2008 @ 6:33PM
Midnight13 said...
Would he be playing Eric? The character that Brandon Lee portrayed? All the other "Crow" movies have not used that character. Same idea, person dies along with thier wife/girlfriend, and then is brought back to take vengance on the killers. They aren't playing the same character from the first film. I think the first film is the only good Crow film. Like I've said before, they aren't even letting time pass before restarting a series that had lost its steam some time ago. Take a few years off a least. A 15-25 year break. Then they can "consider" making a new series of "Crow" movies. Another thing though is that I think "The Crow" came out at a certain time, the mid- ninties. Industrial metal was pretty big at the time with bands like Tool and Nine Inch Nails and that kind of music went well with the look of the first film. That time has passed, so a man in white make-up wearing skintight leather may not seem as "cool" as it did back then.
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1-24-2008 @ 6:36PM
Karol McQuillan said...
Brandon Lee is the "Crow", now and forever.
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1-24-2008 @ 6:46PM
Philip said...
No to a remake. Which means no to Statham.
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1-24-2008 @ 7:07PM
Chris said...
Yes to a remake (Eventually will happen) because it wont replace the original, No to Jason Statham playing Eric Draven, that would be horrible, Joseph Gordon-Levitt should play Eric Draven I think he'll be perfect for the role...
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1-24-2008 @ 7:59PM
james OBarr said...
While I am honestly flattered that Jason is a fan of The Crow, that first film(and the ONLY one I was involved with)is Brandon's legacy.It is sacred ground.No one could ever bring the pathos or charisma of Eric to life the way Brandon did.I created the book but he brought it to life.I would love to write a new scenario for Mr Stratham involving the Crow mythos,but please be wise enough not to tread on something millions of people hold dear.Shoot"Em Up,Crank,and The Transporter films show Jason is a phenominal action star,and Im sure I could tailor something wicked for him should it ever come to life.Take care,James OBarr writer/artist of The Crow and friend to Brandon and Eliza.
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1-24-2008 @ 9:11PM
paul said...
Don't know so much about the Crow, but I always felt that Statham would've made an excellent choice as Matt Murdoch or Daredevil.
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1-25-2008 @ 9:27AM
stigmata242 said...
Oddly enough, I've been revisiting the Crow a lot this past week (even to the point of re-purchasing the soundtrack) and I couldn't think of a worse person to play Eric Draven than Jason Statham. I would be pretty much diametrically opposed to a remake, although Chris' comment about using Joseph Gordon-Levitt definitely intrigues me....
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1-25-2008 @ 9:29AM
Emily said...
It sounds to me like there's no reason to believe that there are any plans for this to happen.
And no, Statham as The Crow would be like seeing Liev Schreiber as Toad in an X-Men remake. In general: no more remakes, period. Let's see more original material or at least some new adaptations.
Made me think though, the odds are pretty good that after the new Batman comes out, people will say "Heath Ledger is the Joker, now and forever," (no offense intended, Karol) and we'll see the same effect of huge resistance against sequels and remakes for a generation. The goth kids will be wearing Joker makeup, if they aren't already.
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1-25-2008 @ 10:40AM
E said...
The Crow (movie) is/was overrated . . . .
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1-25-2008 @ 3:34PM
a said...
BRANDON LEE IS THE CROW.... HE WAS THE BEST ACTOR IN THIS MOVIE.... HE MADE THE MOVIE.... TO REMAKE THIS FILM WOULD BE A BIG MISTAKE!!!! I HAVE SPOKEN!!!
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1-26-2008 @ 6:11PM
NitroFrost said...
True all to True.
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1-27-2008 @ 2:31PM
adam said...
Well i dont think they should redo the crow because Brandon Lee did anawsome job, but the crow stories have had other poeple besides eric dravin as the crow.I like stathoms acting and i feel he could play i good crow,just not dravon.
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2-11-2008 @ 12:08PM
Kris said...
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! LEAVE THE CROW ALONE!!!!!! Statham is one bad dude but NO ONE can take the place of Brandon Lee's performance. Hollywood has a bad habit of trying to squeeze blood from turnips and this is one instance where they should keep their hands to themselves!
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3-02-2008 @ 2:49PM
Pat said...
NO STATHAM! jesus, what the fling is wrong with you. Statham... barely gets his lines right. Totally wrong voice for crow. Now Johnny Depp.... that would be a great crow.
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3-11-2008 @ 12:40AM
alex bernavon said...
I do believe the first crow movie was very special brandon lee really brought out the best in the Eric Draven Character I Would like to suggest to Mr O'barr as a long time fan if possibly restarting the crow franchise why not make the new crow a female.
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