Why The Crow Remake May Face Challenges Amidst Memories of a $170M Bomb

The upcoming reboot of The Crow, based on the 1989 graphic novel by James O'Barr, appears to be a promising choice to revive the beloved 1994 cult classic. However, concerns arise due to the director's previous $170 million box-office bomb from seven years ago, casting doubt on the success of the remake. The story follows a deceased musician and his fiancée who, after being resurrected, seek supernatural revenge for their untimely deaths. Despite the original film's popularity, the remake is already causing apprehension among fans.

The first glimpse of Bill Skarsgård in The Crow remake raises red flags, as the new design strays significantly from the iconic appearance of the late Brandon Lee, reminiscent of the criticized aesthetic of Suicide Squad's Joker. While these initial images are troubling, they only scratch the surface of the remake's potential issues, particularly concerning the director's track record with remakes. With a scheduled release in summer 2024, there is limited time for producers to address these concerns and steer the project back on track.

The Crow opens in theaters on June 7, 2024.

Rupert Sanders' 2017 Ghost In the Shell Remake Was A Bomb In All Ways

Ghost in The Shell was not a faithful adaptation despite its impressive visuals.

Ghost in the Shell anime movie key art featuring the cyborg Motoko Kusanagi. - Ghost in The Shell was not a faithful adaptation despite its impressive visuals. - Rupert Sanders' 2017 Ghost In the Shell Remake Was A Bomb In All Ways

Rupert Sanders' 2017 American remake of Ghost in the Shell is widely considered one of the worst live-action anime adaptations to date. Despite its visually stunning presentation, the film received predominantly negative reviews from critics and underperformed at the box office with a gross of $169.8 million on a budget of $110 million. Based on the popular anime and manga series of the same name, Ghost in the Shell follows the story of Major Kusanagi, a cybernetically-enhanced super soldier who uses her enhanced abilities to combat crime while grappling with complex ethical dilemmas surrounding technology.

While Sanders' adaptation showcases impressive visual effects and a visually appealing aesthetic, it ultimately falls short in capturing the depth and substance of the original material. The film's emphasis on style over substance results in a generic science fiction action movie that lacks the philosophical depth and complexity of its source material. Critics have noted that Ghost in the Shell feels more like a derivative imitation of films like Bladerunner rather than a unique and compelling narrative. Additionally, the controversy surrounding the casting of Scarlett Johansson, a white actress, as the Japanese protagonist further detracted from the film's reception.

While filmmakers have creative license to interpret and adapt source material as they see fit, there is a strong expectation for a level of respect and authenticity in portraying cultural and ethnic diversity. In the case of Ghost in the Shell, the decision to cast a non-Japanese actress in the lead role fueled criticism and controversy, highlighting the importance of thoughtful and culturally sensitive casting decisions in adapting beloved stories for the big screen.

The 2024 Crow Remake Already Has People Concerned

The images of Bill Skarsgård as the titular character aren't convincing.

Bill Skarsgard as Eric Draven Kissing FKA Twigs as Shelly Webster Wearing a Wedding Veil in The Crow - The images of Bill Skarsgård as the titular character aren't convincing. - The 2024 Crow Remake Already Has People Concerned

A movie's success is heavily influenced by its presentation and how faithful it remains to the source material, especially in the case of a live-action adaptation. While it is understandable for Sanders to put his own spin on The Crow graphic novels and the original movie to create a unique vision, there still needs to be a strong connection between the familiar elements and the new ideas introduced. Skarsgård's portrayal more closely resembles Jared Leto's Joker rather than Brandon Lee's Eric Draven or the original graphic novels' interpretation of Eric Draven. Even his appearance before transforming into The Crow, with a shaved mullet and face tattoos, strays far from the original character design, making it a strange and distracting choice.

Changing The Crow Source Material Is Fine, But It Has To Be Done In A Way That Honors It

The comparisons between Bill Skarsgård's look in The Crow Leto in Suicide Squad are already damning, given the 2016 superhero movie's reputation, but it also speaks volumes to an even bigger problem. Eric Draven/The Crow is notable for his unsettling, industrial goth appearance topped by black-and-white clown makeup, and the 1994 version perfectly captured that essential element of the character, with director Alex Proyas taking the serious material seriously. Deviations from the source material are fine so long as the filmmaker can justify it, but in the case of Sanders and his history, that doesn't seem likely.

Ghost in the Shell deviated from its source material in many hurtful ways.

Scarlett Johansson as the Major pointing a gun in Ghost in the Shell (2017) - Ghost in the Shell deviated from its source material in many hurtful ways. - Changing The Crow Source Material Is Fine, But It Has To Be Done In A Way That Honors It

Choosing Scarlett Johansson to play the Major in Ghost In the Shell (2017) was a controversial decision. The film's adaptation with a white actress in the lead role was widely criticized as a significant deviation from the original source material. Director Rupert Sanders' interpretation did not add any depth to the vision, themes, or ideas of Ghost in the Shell creator, Masamune Shirow. Instead, the movie was seen as a mere copy of the original work, lacking the thought-provoking elements that made the original so impactful. While it is acceptable to reimagine source material for a new audience, it should be done with respect to the original content. Sanders' approach to Ghost in the Shell and his handling of previous adaptations, such as The Crow, suggest a lack of understanding and reverence for the source material and its characters.

The Crow is considered more of a cult classic in the comic book industry rather than a household name like Superman or Batman. An improper adaptation of the 1994 movie could alienate audiences familiar with the source material and deter newer viewers who may not be familiar with the character or the graphic novel. Despite Skarsgård's popularity among fans for his roles in successful films such as the It franchise and John Wick: Chapter 4, the continuous negative feedback surrounding The Crow remake has made his portrayal of the character an even more challenging task.

Editor's P/S:

The article raises valid concerns about the upcoming reboot of "The Crow." While the original 1994 film holds a special place in the hearts of many fans, the director's previous box-office failure and the drastic departure from the iconic character design in the remake are troubling signs. The first glimpse of Bill Skarsgård in the new role has drawn comparisons to Jared Leto's criticized Joker portrayal, further fueling apprehension.

The article also highlights the importance of faithful adaptations and respect for source material. Rupert Sanders' 2017 remake of "Ghost in the Shell" is cited as a cautionary tale, with its emphasis on style over substance and controversial casting decisions. The article argues that while creative license is allowed, it should not come at the expense of the original story's integrity. In the case of "The Crow," the significant changes to the character's appearance and the director's track record raise doubts about whether the remake will honor the beloved graphic novel and the 1994 film adaptation.