The Crow Reboot Director Responds to Comparisons with Joker Design

Social media is abuzz with comparisons to the DCEU Joker as Bill Skarsgård stars in a reboot of the 1994 superhero fantasy The Crow. Thirty years since the late Brandon Lee took on the role of a vengeance-seeking undead rockstar, Vanity Fair revealed the first look at Skarsgård's interpretation of Eric Draven, aka the Crow. Going in line with Draven's goth aesthetic, the It and Barbarian star dons a ghostly appearance with his body scribbled with tattoos all over. The eyeliner is heavy, too, with his eyes smudged in raccoon-like makeup.

The roughly drawn, randomized set of tattoos, the eye makeup, and the bare-chested look from these stills of The Crow have drawn comparisons with Jared Leto's controversial Joker, who sported a similar pale-faced look in his polarizing DC Extended Universe debut. David Ayer took to X to join the discourse with a tweet comprising just a raised eye emoji. The similarity isn't lost on the American filmmaker whose most recent work includes the 2024 Jason Statham-led thriller The Beekeper.

Twitter article posted by David Ayer

Why David Ayer Is Still So Active In Suicide Squad Discussions

David Ayer in front of Captain Boomerang, Killer Croc, Harley Quinn, and Joker from Suicide Squad - Why David Ayer Is Still So Active In Suicide Squad Discussions

David Ayer, who did not direct another DCEU film after Suicide Squad, has been vocal about how Warner Bros' interference hindered his creative vision. Similar to the movement for Zack Snyder's Justice League, fans have rallied for Ayer's original cut with campaigns like #ReleaseTheAyerCut. In a podcast with Jon Bernthal, Ayer disclosed how DC transformed his movie into a "comedy" against his intentions of balancing light and dark themes with deeper character development, particularly for the Joker.

Some of the Suicide Squad Ayer cut scenes, such as Joker's ambition to rule Gotham and Batman's intense encounter with Deadshot, provide insight into the original vision of Ayer's project. Ayer has expressed disappointment over Warner Bros.' decision not to conduct test screenings for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Following the film's negative reception, Ayer alleges that the studio pressured him to tone down the darker aspects and adopt a more lighthearted approach. Despite the support from fans, it appears unlikely that the Ayer cut of Suicide Squad will be released anytime soon.

Suicide Squad is available to stream on Max.

Editor's P/S:

The article effectively highlights the striking similarities between Bill Skarsgård's portrayal of Eric Draven in "The Crow" reboot and Jared Leto's controversial Joker in the DCEU. The visual parallels in their appearance, particularly the pale faces, tattoos, and heavy eyeliner, have sparked discussions on social media. David Ayer, the director of "Suicide Squad," has also weighed in on the comparisons, further fueling the debate.

While the article provides a concise overview of the topic, it could benefit from more context on the original "The Crow" film and its significance. Additionally, exploring the broader context of the DCEU and the fan-led campaigns for Ayer's original cut of "Suicide Squad" would enhance the reader's understanding of the discourse surrounding the similarities between the two characters.