The upcoming remake of The Crow has released its first official images via Vanity Fair, showcasing Bill Skarsgård and FKA Twigs in their leading roles. Directed by Rupert Sanders, the film reimagines the classic tale of Eric Draven, portrayed by Skarsgård, who seeks revenge after he and his fiancée are brutally murdered.
The Vanity Fair feature provides an intriguing first look at Bill Skarsgård and FKA Twigs in The Crow, setting high expectations for their performances. The images highlight the atmospheric and visual tone Sanders aims to capture with the remake, reflecting a dark and brooding aesthetic essential to the story of Eric Draven.
“I never did any tests between Bill and Twigs,” Sanders told Vanity Fair about the movie’s lead stars. “I had them for dinner when they first arrived [on set] in Prague and I was a bit like a nervous parent looking to see if there were any sparks, because you don’t know. And they were great. They hung out and were straight into it.”
“I think the beauty of Bill is that he has a disturbing beauty, and as he transforms through his loss he becomes this thing that even he can’t control,” Sanders added. “It’s that famous line: ‘Whoever fights monsters must be careful that they don’t become one.’ That look was me in the ’90s when we were squat-raving in London, [mixed with some modern influences] like Post Malone and Lil Peep. I hope people who are 19 today look at him and go, ‘That guy is us.’”
The Crow remake’s long road to the big screen
The development of The Crow remake began in December 2008 with Stephen Norrington’s announcement of a reinvention plan. The project saw a series of changes with directors like Norrington, Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, F. Javier Gutiérrez, and Corin Hardy, and actors such as Bradley Cooper, Luke Evans, Jack Huston, and Jason Momoa being attached at different times. Bill Skarsgård was finally cast as Eric Draven in April 2022, with Rupert Sanders as director, marking the end of a tumultuous pre-production phase.
The current version of The Crow was written by Zach Baylin and Will Schneider. The cast includes Isabella Wei as Zadie, with Danny Huston, Laura Birn, Sami Bouajila, and Jordan Bolger on board in undisclosed roles.
The tragic legacy of The Crow
Created by James O’Barr, The Crow delves into the dark, emotional journey of Eric Draven, a musician resurrected by a mystical crow after he and his fiancée are murdered. The story intertwines themes of love, revenge, and the quest for justice, set against a gritty, urban backdrop.
The Crow is perhaps best known for the tragic accident that resulted in the death of Brandon Lee during filming. A prop gun misfire led to Lee being fatally wounded on set, a devastating event that overshadowed the film’s release. This incident profoundly affected cast, crew, and fans, and led to significant changes in on-set safety protocols.
The Crow is currently scheduled to hit theaters on June 7, 2024. Stay tuned for more updates!
