Alex Proyas Calls "The Crow" Remake "Ridiculous"

Alex Proyas Calls "The Crow" Remake "Ridiculous"

Original director of "The Crow" Alex Proyas has spoken out against the proposed remake..

News
By MarkCassidy - Mar 25, 2009 11:03 AM EST
Filed Under: The Crow
Source: mtv.com

Back in December, it was announced that Stephen Norrington would direct a remake of “The Crow,” the 1994 cult film based on James O’Barr’s classic graphic novel. While there are those clamoring for the gothic hero to grace the screen again, many are flabbergasted at the notion of retreading on Brandon Lee’s final film.

One man who is clearly not looking forward to the "Reboot" is the director of the original movie Alex Proyas. He told MTV:

“The whole notion of remaking ['The Crow'], to me, is just ridiculous and I’d have nothing to do with it, as I’ve had nothing to do with any of the sequels or the TV show or any of that stuff"

"That’s other people involved with that and I wouldn’t even dream of remaking the movie,” he continued. “Because as far as I’m concerned, that’s Brandon Lee’s movie and that’s why I finished the movie — in memory of Brandon. That’s the only reason I finished it actually.”

Brandon Lee, the son of famed martial artist Bruce Lee, was tragically killed during the shooting of a scene in “The Crow.” A blank bullet struck and killed the actor during a scene in which Lee’s supernatural character is being targeted by gunfire.

Although there have been 2 sequels and a TV movie using the name "The Crow"..the original character of Eriv Draven has not been used since..except my Mark Dacascos in the short lived TV show.."The Crow: Stairway To Heaven".

Personally i think the first movie was a classic and is in no need of a remake or reboot or whatever the studio wants to call it..but its happening by the looks of things so lets hope they at least make a good movie..if an unnecessary one

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slimybug
slimybug - 3/25/2009, 12:07 PM
I WOULDN'T hope they mke a good movie. The idea is so horrible, it would be better for the movie to come out horribly, andbe an ambarrasment to all these guys, and make them learn their lesson.

The worse the fiml is, the more people will forget it, and only remember the Brandon Lee classic.
Joslezio85
Joslezio85 - 3/25/2009, 12:09 PM
actually, there we three sequels. and they all sucked. noone can touch what brandon lee and Alex Proyas made with that first film. noone should even try.
GUNSMITH
GUNSMITH - 3/25/2009, 12:09 PM
I'LL TELL YOU RIGHT NOW, DURING PRODUCTION, BRANDON'S GHOST WILL DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO MUCK THE FILM UP..WATCH.
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 3/25/2009, 12:13 PM
Look, they are never goin to "learn their lesson" EVER! If this movie is a pile of shit they will just move on to the next potential cash cow. If it has to be made wouldnt you rather it was something that didnt piss all over the memory of the original?
Shaman
Shaman - 3/25/2009, 12:15 PM
I agree with Proyas in saying that if there's any movie out there that would never need any "reboot", it's definitly The Crow! It is a Masterpiece but then again, so was Tim Burton's Batman in my honest opinion. But if crappy sequels were ever a good reason to reboot a franchise, The Crow has had it's fair share having 3 and not only 2 crappy sequels (like Batman). And that's not counting the atrocious show (although, i'm always a big fan of dacascos's martial arts movies). And so if The Crow would ever need a reboot, i do believe that even though he masacered Moore's League, he did brilliantly with Blade where Del Toro couldn't even follow (of course, as always, IMHO). I enjoyed Blade2 but in no way was it as good, dark and gritty as the first one. And that gritty dark alley feel that Noringtion seems to dish out naturally, could be more than adequate for The Crow's next film. In other words, it could just be exactly what the doctor ordered.

Here's an article i wrote in the matter, cast and all:

http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/MySecretIdentityPick/news/?a=5669
Aiiwolf
Aiiwolf - 3/25/2009, 12:18 PM
LMAO @ Gunsmith's comment ....uahahaha.

@Slimybug
THE CROW will always be a classic movie. I agree with you, if this "REBOOT" sucks...everyone will always remember the original crow movie. And I hope it does suck, and I hope that they never attempt to make it again.
NERO
NERO - 3/25/2009, 12:31 PM
I'll say the same thing I said on Latino Review:

In truth I could forgive a remake, based on one fact: The Crow that Lee stared in had very little resemblance to The Crow of the story by James OBarr. The Crow was a damn fine movie, but it was so vastly different from the comic/graphic novel I could stand a remake which was made far more like the book, check out the book and you'll see what I mean, aside from the comedy masked hero and the fact that there were 5 guys he wanted dead the rest is a very different story. The book was darker, more self destructive and the character of the Crow was more frightening and more cruelly vengeful. It was a very disturbing read.

Aiiwolf
Aiiwolf - 3/25/2009, 12:33 PM
@ Shaman
I agree with you on certain things you said, but theres some key points I dont agree one.

I personally feel, The reason Batman NEEDED a REMAKE was because it didnt AGE WELL....It used technology and rubber suits that looked goofy, and the script was just as bad. It was only a good movie of that time because no one had seen anything like it, but if you look back at the script and action sequences TODAY, its just horrendous. I like Tim Burton, but the only good thing about batman was the cinematography, other than that...

...The villians from the batman movies arent even scary they're like the type of guys you would invite at your party, or for dinner, because how goody they were.

"Oh, where does he get those toys?" joker from the first batman movie lol....I dunno....the reboot was made to make the movie more serious....and also because it didnt age well.

If you look at the villian in the current batman franchise...I want them nowhere near me....Scarecrow? Two-face? Heath leadger's Joker.....screw that....that is exactly what fans needed.

On the other hand....

THE CROW ages quite well, they dont use rubber suits or technology at that time, they kept that movie low keyed...and down to earth. The script is decent...AND If they remake it....no one will remember "brandon Lee" for it....as no one remembers "Adam West or Micheal keaton" for batman.

But oh well, thats just how I feel, about this film. since I am a fan of the comics....and bruce lee.
Shaman
Shaman - 3/25/2009, 12:57 PM
Well Aiiwolf, you do raise good comparissons but believe me when i say that Michael Keaton is by far THE VERY BEST BATMAN we've ever had. Christian Bale is decent but he just seems great because he's following Clooney and Kilmer and because, as you say, the scripts he worked with were much more brillaint. IMO, he's definitly no Keaton! And so i can say that no matter the amounts of bad sequels and remakes, i still remember Keaton for being the best as i will always remember Brandon Lee for the amazing performance he gave us. But i feel that we shouldn't retire "The Character" since it is an awesome character that could've had more scenarios. And IMO, Norrington is the man for the job! :)

I do agree with you nerosday, sticking to the source would be even better.
NERO
NERO - 3/25/2009, 1:01 PM
The Crow was a great movie, and is a cult classic and one of my favorite Comic movies, but it bore only a slight resemblance to the original book. I say make it gritty, and real, and set it in circa 1981 Detroit, and make a faithful adaptation to O’Barr's graphic and you will basically have a completely different film. Make this one more of a supernatural revenge film and less of a Gothic out and out love story and it will feel like a different movie. Have the sound track reflect O'Barr's referenced music of that era, Iggy Pop, early Cure, Joy Division, etc. Don't get me wrong guys The Crow was literally what got me into comics, the book not the film, I picked up the first issue when I was 10 at Kutter’s Comics (God rest his soul). It had a huge influence on me, artistically and musically. I do truly love the movie, but I would also love to finally see a faithful retelling of the graphic and every issue that comprised it, all of which I display lovingly here in my man-cave (600 feet below the smoking remains of a sewage treatment plant in the wilds of … OK my upstairs bonus room/office) all signed by James O’Barr, from the 1994 Charlotte NC Comic con. I know I’m in the minority here, but trust me as a zealous fan of this thing it could be really good and stand on its own, or a terrible sin if they [frick] it up, because then it will cheapen two great stories.
ThunderCougarFalconBird
ThunderCougarFalconBird - 3/25/2009, 1:02 PM
The Crow is one of the finest pieces of film ever made! And no comic movie came close to the (to quote Aiiwolf) "down to earth" uncompromising brilliance of this movie until Nolan took over on Batman (not just TDK). Every other comic movie since, no matter how good has an essence of "this is made to sell tickets 1st and please 2nd"

The sequels were horrible mainly because they are missing this factor that I cannot name but tried to explain.
NERO
NERO - 3/25/2009, 1:04 PM
Thanks Shaman
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 3/25/2009, 1:05 PM
Id rather a sucking sequel than this piece of s*** ! Damn HOLLYWOOD, whats wrong with you??? Some films you can't touch, i.e this one!!! OMG, they could actually make a really cool sequel,, theres enough comic stories out there for a great CROW!!! But ya can't Remake the original??? No point, it will never ever get close to THE CROW!!! Sequel all the way! That goes for ROBOCOP & PREDATOR too!!! Damn they even doing a remake of V the series, so lame!!! ; )
Shaman
Shaman - 3/25/2009, 1:14 PM
nerosday- I also had all the original issues but i got them at an age where i couldn't really appreciate them for what they were. Today, if i still have them, i'd be more appreciative. It was a truly dark story and deserves to be retold in a different way that was done in the first film. But IMO, no matter what is done with the character, nothing will ever take anything away from Bandon Lee's performance as i still enjoy Jack Nicholson's Joker just as much as Heath's.
NERO
NERO - 3/25/2009, 1:26 PM
@ Shaman:

Exactly, I think that if a true adaptation of the graphic is done the movies will be so different that they would each stand on their own just fine. And like Bug said, people will have their favorites. To many Brandon Lee was and will always be the Crow. To others if the next film is done the right way The Crow will be the next actor, to me I will appreciate them both.

I really loved Brandon in the original and think he would have had a great career had he lived. I also had great respect for him because he also truly loved the original story by O’Barr, and said so in many interviews before his death, and he brought that love of the character with him into the role. That is the big reason he was so iconic. He was a guy playing a character he had loved for years and was excited to give that character life and it electrified his performance.
DarkAvengers
DarkAvengers - 3/25/2009, 1:28 PM
Wasnt a blank that killed him. It was a piece of the shell that didnt pop off of the blank when it fired. I used to be obsessed with this movie.

Its pointless to remake this film. The film was great for its time and looking back on it now... It's very 90's. It was the end of the grunge rock era and the start of the alternative/rap rock movement (early stages). The film is dated and wouldnt be received as well as it was back in 1994. Music was nearing its peak at that time. It carried the film. That soundtrack was HUGE. It cannot be done again, nor should anyone try. It was a great flick. Leave it be.

The comic was great too.
greenlanternsector2814
greenlanternsector2814 - 3/25/2009, 1:40 PM
That's just blasphemy!!! Whoever decided on this decision should be taken out back and shot.
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 3/25/2009, 1:42 PM
Why do something the same yet again? Lazy!!! People are gonna be so fed up with reboots/remakes!!! You can an try to do a sequel that tries to be nearly as good as the original, thats all you can hope for!! Remakes suck!!! As for THE JOKER, i see them as two complete different people and hope to god they don't put RIDDLER, CATWOMAN or PENGUIN in the BAT movies! So many untapped Villains in the Dc Universe!!! Its just LAZY to do want been done before, need freshness!!! I don't think the Cinema going public ain't going to stand for it much longer, at 10 buck or so a pop, and we can kiss goodbye to the comicbook movie!!! : ( Damn straight fivebees!!!!
Minotauro
Minotauro - 3/25/2009, 1:44 PM
Alex Proyas is really trying to say.."Its like trying to remake Enter the Dragon, or The Dark Knight, Star Wars the Original Trilogy..Those characters were made by the actors alone as well with the writers. dont disrespect."
NERO
NERO - 3/25/2009, 1:47 PM
I was in Highschool when the movie Crow came out, and to all you current teenaged fan boys; it was a hell of a lot easier when girls hearts belonged to The Crow after the summer of 1994 to about 1997 when Titanic came out, than it has to be for the guys now dealing with Twilight as their goth-ish date movie. I never grasped why women gravitate to the gothic love beyond death thing as staunchly as they do. At least I enjoyed taking some of my first dates to see that movie; another reason it holds a special place for me.
Osiris
Osiris - 3/25/2009, 1:48 PM
maybe they should focus on making a sequel that doesn't suck for once, instead of trying to make a reboot that will suck of a movie that was epic. I don't think the original should be remade for any reason the only thing i can see them doing to make it better then the original is making it exactly like the comic like the first sin city did. the first movie is a cult classic and most likely forever will be.
NERO
NERO - 3/25/2009, 1:56 PM
I agree LEEE777 I think Black Mask is due a turn in a Bat film. He would fit well with Nolan's more organized crime take on Gotham’s baddies.
Shaman
Shaman - 3/25/2009, 2:04 PM
Yes well all these passionate arguments were heard before when they announced Batman Begins and yet, after it's success, they all saw that it not only COULD be done but with as much brilliance, never taking anything away from the originals. So we can complain all we want, the movie will still be made and i for one hope it's a good one!!! What's wrong with enjoying both movies??? Why does this one have to suck? We can clearly enjoy Hulk as much as Incredible Hulk so why not another Crow? Because Brandon is dead? Well The Crow isn't.
NERO
NERO - 3/25/2009, 2:10 PM
I wonder if the MPAA will have a problem with a half naked dead guy with make-up on sitting alone in a dark house cutting his forearms, spiral ham style with a rusty straight razor, while weeping and chanting, ”The cat in the hat. The cat in the hat,” while drawing said cat on the wall with his own blood. Yep, for anyone who hasn’t read the book; that is one of its least dark and depressing moments. See why a remake would feel different?
NERO
NERO - 3/25/2009, 2:16 PM
Or the line that goes something like, "Somewhere there is a man playing a violin and the strings are the tendons from his own arm."

Man, you know the more I think about it, I wouldn't let my kid read this as young as I did. What the Hell were my folks thinking? Eh, I turned out Okay. Screw it.
Spock
Spock - 3/25/2009, 2:21 PM
Rorschach01 you stole my avatar i picked about a week ago!!!!! LOL
Anyway I agree that they shouldn't make a new Crow. The 1st one was great, to bad my Role Model's son was killed. This a total Slap in the face to the Lee Family! Some things should just be left the HELL a lone.
ComicChic
ComicChic - 3/25/2009, 2:34 PM
I was tempted to post "what's the big deal with the Crow?" just to watch people's heads explode, but I think I'll behave myself. =)
FalconX2
FalconX2 - 3/25/2009, 2:48 PM
Seriously, it's like saying Princess Bride needs a reboot. Or Star Wars Ep 4, needs a remake.

Just one great big WTF!
Galvatron
Galvatron - 3/25/2009, 3:06 PM
i guess his next project will be Boondock Saints: Brothers at War

Since we making stupid sequels and dumb reboots to classic cult celluloid
Jetsaholic
Jetsaholic - 3/25/2009, 3:27 PM
Eh, duh??? Remaking the Crow is like remaking the bible. It just can't happen.
loganoneil
loganoneil - 3/25/2009, 3:29 PM
Proyas, it's about time you spoke up about 'The Crow'! I just want to know, (screw the reboot) where was your voice when they decided to make those sh!t sequels?!!!! 'The Crow' was a PERFECT 'one-off' film! Like the original 'Highlander' - "There can be ONLY ONE!" LEAVE IT THE !#@$! ALONE!!!!!
Galvatron
Galvatron - 3/25/2009, 3:44 PM
you would know huh, you look like Flanders son, LOL
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 3/25/2009, 4:22 PM


I know most people dont want to think about this but the movie is happening! So..cast pics?

NERO
NERO - 3/25/2009, 4:42 PM
Keven I think, and if I'm wrong guys correct me on this, that I remember hearing Lee was killed in the scene where Eric is knelt down and shot in the apartment, I know the .357 magnum python was the weapon that had the broken round's piece lodged in the barrel and Michael Massee who played Funboy pulled the trigger point blank (within two to three feet from Lee's chest) and that is the only scene where all those factors line up.
NERO
NERO - 3/25/2009, 4:45 PM
And the shot hit him in the upper chest but ended up in his GI track so it was a downward shot. Crappy way to go no matter how you slice it.
NERO
NERO - 3/25/2009, 5:05 PM
This has led to the use of FX “pop guns” in some scenes, usually they look like a Beretta whose action does not move when the weapon fires and who’s barrel is in the exact center of the gun rather than the upper portion, it's a dead give away.

The most noticeable place I have seen one recently was in The Punisher, in one of Travolta's first scenes he shoots a thug on the floor using one of these "pop guns." You will see them alot on TV. Annoys the hell ouuta me whenever i see them, but safety first.

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