Update: "The Crow" Reboot Gets New Writer and Director!

[JamesG]

The Crow Remake a Reboot, New Characters
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
By: MrDisgusting

A source very close to the development of the forthcoming The Crow remake tells Mania that Stephen Norrington is set to deliver his script for the film this month and that it will be very different from the James O'Barr adaptation from 1994.

Their source says that the story is "very different from the original - a whole new story about a whole new character."

Norrington told Variety, "[Alex] Proyas’ original was gloriously gothic and stylized, the new movie will be realistic, hard-edged and mysterious, almost documentary-style."

Eric Draven will be missed, but at least he's immortalized by the late Brandon Lee.

http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/16676

[Brian Damage]

I'll admit the new concept intrigues me.

[JamesG]

I'll admit the new concept intrigues me.

Yeah it interests me as well. I will probably end up seeing this when it comes out.

I am hoping that this will be 10x better than the latest installments in The Crow series which are Salvation and Wicked Prayer. I thought those two were awful.

I didn't think the second one, City of Angels, was that bad and I also loved the tv series.

[browneyes106]

I'm a Crow fan. I liked City of Angels and the tv show. I didn't think Salvation was completely bad. For the past few years there have been rumors that a fifth Crow movie would be made and the lead character would be a female crow. I was really hoping that would happen. The idea for the reboot does sound interesting.

[JamesG]

I'm a Crow fan. I liked City of Angels and the tv show. I didn't think Salvation was completely bad. For the past few years there have been rumors that a fifth Crow movie would be made and the lead character would be a female crow. I was really hoping that would happen. The idea for the reboot does sound interesting.

I don't know I didn't really dig Salvation. Maybe it's because I don't like Kirsten Dunst... I didn't think it was all that great. "The Crow" in that one, Eric Mabius, I believe went to Ugly Betty and The L Word.

Eddie Furlong's Wicked Prayer I thought was awful. To me it is worst of the four. It was just a bad movie; bad plot, bad special effects, and Eddie Furlong did not seem convincing to me as a "Crow". Though I do like him I found David Boreanaz to be a lousy villain.


I also have heard word about a fifth film coming about and the stories of making it a female. They probably finally decided to reboot after the poor reception of Wicked Prayer.

However the female Crow was explored for a bit on the television series as I'm sure you know.

[browneyes106]

I don't know I didn't really dig Salvation. Maybe it's because I don't like Kirsten Dunst... I didn't think it was all that great. "The Crow" in that one, Eric Mabius, I believe went to Ugly Betty and The L Word.

Eddie Furlong's Wicked Prayer I thought was awful. To me it is worst of the four. It was just a bad movie; bad plot, bad special effects, and Eddie Furlong did not seem convincing to me as a "Crow". Though I do like him I found David Boreanaz to be a lousy villain.


I also have heard word about a fifth film coming about and the stories of making it a female. They probably finally decided to reboot after the poor reception of Wicked Prayer.

However the female Crow was explored for a bit on the television series as I'm sure you know.

I agree Wicked Prayer was awful. I like Furlong but he didn't make a good Crow. The female crow episode of Stairaway to Heaven was one of my favorites. I think a female Crow would have been good.

[JamesG]

I The female crow episode of Stairaway to Heaven was one of my favorites. I think a female Crow would have been good.

Yeah, I liked the female Crow "Hannah" as well. She was only in a couple of episodes.

btw, I was just looking at the cast list and I forgot that Donny Most (Happy Days) appeared on the show. I haven't seen the show in a few years.

[browneyes106]

Yeah, I liked the female Crow "Hannah" as well. She was only in a couple of episodes.

btw, I was just looking at the cast list and I forgot that Donny Most (Happy Days) appeared on the show. I haven't seen the show in a few years.

I think the last time I saw the show was a few years ago when Sci-Fi aired reruns. I hope Chillers airs episodes at some point.

[JamesG]

I think the last time I saw the show was a few years ago when Sci-Fi aired reruns. I hope Chillers airs episodes at some point.

Yeah, I remember when Sci-Fi (SyFy) aired Stairway to Heaven.

I had a bootleg DVD of the entire series for a number of years because it wasn't officially released until only recently.

For a while the only home release of the show was a VHS with the first two episodes. Around 1999 I bought that tape from Blockbuster and I still have it.

[JamesG]

Crow Creator Talks Upcoming Projects
Source: Chris Congiardo
August 10, 2009

James O'Barr, creator of "The Crow," dropped in on the Chicago Comic-Con over the weekend and ShockTillYouDrop.com reader, Chris, wrote in with a brief report on what the man is up to.

"He's working on two new comics. 'The Ride' will feature a story revolving around a car chase between a late '60s Camaro and a Cuda. The other comic, which is being fully painted, is titled 'Sundown in Hell' and is being touted as a vampire western.


A 20th anniversary edition 'Crow' comic was scheduled to be released this year, but is now being planned for sometime early next year. James stated that when he was working on the original 'Crow,' some 32 pages of material had been cut. This new edition will feature that material.

In regards to The Crow movie, he still keeps in touch with Alex Proyas and mentioned that 11 minutes of footage had been cut from the film, as it had originally received an X rating. James said that most of those 11 minutes featured Brandon Lee. James mentioned that Alex has been talking with the studios to access that material."

http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/comicsnews.php?id=11359

[JamesG]

The Crow Reboot Moving Forward?
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
By: MrDisgusting

A source close to the production exclusively revealed to Comics2Film that Stephen Norrington's current draft of The Crow reboot has been "very well received" by Relativity Media.

According to their source, the project is moving forward and attention will now turn to casting the film. If this is true, expect some announcements within the next few weeks, along with a planned 2011 release.


In the comics, a man brutally murdered comes back to life as an undead avenger of his and his fiancée's murder.

Earlier this year Norrington told Variety, "[Alex] Proyas’ original was gloriously gothic and stylized, the new movie will be realistic, hard-edged and mysterious, almost documentary-style."

http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/17776

[JamesG]

Crow Reboot Casting & Makeup Talk
Source: io9
November 23, 2009

Ryan Kavanaugh, the producer behind the upcoming Brothers, is currently overseeing the development of Stephen Norrington's franchise reboot of The Crow.

He tells io9 that Norrington's script is now in the tweaking stage and that everyone should know it is not a direct remake of the Brandon Lee-starring film. "We're just relaunching it and making it with a much more present day character, someone more relatable to everybody."



The makeup will very much be different from the Crow visage we've come to know (and which has become a year-to-year Halloween costume favorite).

Also, as far as casting goes, "It will be an actor you've heard of, yes. We're not ruling anything out. We're looking at both, with the very well known and the 'very talented but they may not be quite there yet.'"



The Crow isn't even a greenlit film yet, but it's sounding like it will be in a matter of months.

http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=12924

[JamesG]

Norrington Gives Update on The Crow Reboot
Source: Mania
February 19, 2010


It's been a few months since we've heard any updates on the proposed reboot for The Crow, which Blade director Stephen Norrington was attached to helm.

While producer Ryan Kavanaugh gave a quick update about the project back in November, last month Norrington was announced as the director on The Lost Patrol, a World War II supernatural action thriller for Legendary Pictures.



According to a brief chat with Mania, Norrington is still on board.

"The producer and visual effects people are crunching numbers. We've opened discussions with major cast but nothing is final yet," says Norrington.



Considering The Crow script is already completed and it is a hot property, he tells the web publication that it'll probably shoot before The Lost Patrol, possibly by this summer.

"Cast and budget and schedules will no doubt continue to adjust all equations."

http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=14198

[JamesG]

The Crow Calling Detroit Home Again?
Source: Mania
April 21, 2010


We're getting the sense that the latest version of The Crow is dragging its feet. But director Stephen Norrington appears hopeful and in his latest chat with Mania (you recall he gave them an update two months ago) he says the project is now seeking locations.



Michigan is a contender, particularly Detroit - where the Brandon Lee-starring first entry took place (filming occurred in North Carolina and L.A., if you recall).

"Part of the new story is set in Detroit and we've been discussing the logistics of shooting on location," Norrington says.

Montreal is also being considered.



Norrington adds script tinkering is taking place, and so is the usual budget and casting talk.
Nothing final, however.

http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=14937

[Dr. Thong]

The original's not even 20 years old and they're already remaking it?:rolleyes:

[JamesG]

The Latest on The Crow Reboot
Source: MTV
June 1, 2010


By now, anything on The Crow reboot is becoming old hat with those involved repeatedly telling us that the script is either being tinkered with or is completed and that "casting will begin soon."




Producer Ed Pressman pretty much says the same thing to MTV adding:

"The setting is the southwest — the Mexico/Arizona area — and an urban setting, Detroit or Pittsburgh or something like that. There are two locations that the film is set.

Its initial platform is in the southwest and then it moves to the big city in the north, middle or eastern America, and then back."



Director Stephen Norrington is out to a major actor now and the first casting announcement is on the horizon. He's also working with Avatar production designer Rob Stromberg on the look, which Pressman says is different than Alex Proyas' first film.

Good, that's what we expect.

http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=15357

[JamesG]

Nick Cave at Work on Crow Reboot Script
Source: The Wrap
July 26, 2010


That's the word from The Wrap. Weird, eh?

Producer Ed Pressman confirmed today that Nick Cave - singer / occasional screenwriter and actor - was currently rewriting Stephen Norrington's latest take on The Crow mythos.




Cave penned John Hillcoat's violent western The Proposition, released in 2005. And because of this, I'm really looking forward now to what director Norrington and Cave have in store for us.

The film will take place in both an urban setting and the southwest.




The Wrap says a casting announcement on who will play the Crow is coming very soon.

http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=16010

[JamesG]

Mark Wahlberg Offered Lead Role in The Crow Remake
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
By: MrDisgusting


Bloody Disgusting has confirmed exclusively that Mark Wahlberg was offered the lead role in Relativity Media's The Crow, a remake of the 1994 film that starred Brandon Lee as a man (Eric Draven) brutally murdered that comes back to life as an undead avenger of his and his fiancée's murder.

The film was an adaptation of James O'Barr's incredible comic series.



Iconic musician and acclaimed screenwriter Nick Cave has been working on a rewrite with Stephen Norrington attached to direct. The new tale is said to take place in Detroit.


Now, the offer has been made, therefore Wahlberg could decline.

http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/22096

[JamesG]

Stephen Norrington Exits The Crow Redo
Thursday, October 21, 2010
By: MrDisgusting


Right off the heels of our announcement that Mark Wahlberg was offered the role of Eric Draven in Relativity's remake of The Crow, Mania is reporting that Stephen Norrington has exited the project.



"I can tell you I'm no longer involved.

As I had gotten involved explicitly as a writer-director my exit was inevitable. I was bummed. I had developed a genuinely authentic take that respected the source material while moving beyond it, and Nick Cave came in and added more depth.

I think the fans would have been pleasantly surprised."





He told the site adding that an unnamed star had gotten involved with the movie.

The star supposedly loved Norrington's vision and wanted to work with him, but then rejected the Norrington/Cave script and asked for a completely new take from a completely new writer.


With this news, it's sounding as if The Crow has returned to the grave.

http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/22141

[JamesG]

Juan Carlos Fresnadillo Confirmed for The Crow
Source: Relativity
April 7, 2011


Relativity has just announced that Juan Carlos Fresnadillo (28 Weeks Later) has signed on to direct the reboot of James O'Barr's The Crow with a production start eyed for this fall.




According to the press release, Fresnadillo will collaborate with a writer on the screenplay, that name expected to be announced shortly.

What's more, the reboot is confirmed to focus on the character of Eric Draven (infamously played in the 1994 film by Brandon Lee, who was killed on-set).






“Juan Carlos Fresnadillo is an incredibly talented and imaginative filmmaker,” says Executive Producer Tucker Tooley.

"We are thrilled to have him at the helm and are excited to work with both Pressman and Apaches on what we all believe will be a compelling and innovative reimagining of The Crow.”



"The original Crow was groundbreaking cinema," adds prodcuer Edward R. Pressman.

"Its gothic visual and musical ideas influenced a generation and cinema itself. With Juan Carlos, we have every confidence that his new Crow will have a similar impact on the contemporary audience."






Along with Pressman, the film will be produced by Jeff Most, Relativity’s CEO Ryan Kavanaugh, and Apaches’ Enrique López Lavigne and Belén Atienza.

José Ibáñez, Pressman Film Corporation’s Jon Katz, and Apaches’ Jesús de la Vega will serve as co-producers.

http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/articlenews.php?id=18720

[JamesG]

The Crow Might Be...
Source: Heat Vision
April 12, 2011

Bradley Cooper.
Yes, the dude from The Hangover.



The Hollywood Reporter says the actor is circling the eponymous role for director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo.

Relativity is said to be moving fast on the project and shooting is expected to begin this fall.

http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=18750

[JamesG]

UPDATED: Lawsuit Stops Crow Remake From Taking Flight?
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
By: David Harley


It now appears that Juan Carlos Fresnadillo's remake of The Crow might not be soaring onto screens anytime soon.

The Weinstein Company is bringing Relativity Media to court over a distribution dispute, claiming that they have "a written contract signed by everybody" that gives the Weinsteins worldwide rights to the film (they distributed the original through Miramax in 1994).

Their side of the story is that Relativity head honcho Ryan Kavanaugh is shopping around rights to other parties, though Kavanaugh has yet to respond as of this writing.



As of now, The Crow is still scheduled to shoot in the fall for a 2012 release.








UPDATED

Relativity has responded to the Weinsteins and their rep, Bert Fields, claiming that this is "yet another typical litigation stunt from the Weinsteins who have a long history of threatening law suits with the sole purpose of intimidation."

Kavanaugh and Co. plan on seeking a dismissal if served, dismissing the claim as a "feeble attempt to create a press stir and a malicious effort to interfere with Relativity's development of the project."

http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/24249

[JamesG]

The Crow Lawsuit
May 13, 2011
By: MrDisgusting


Relativity is just getting warmed up to battle the Weinstein Company over the rights to The Crow reboot to be directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo and star Bradley Cooper.

Variety reports that Relativity has accused the Weinstein Co. of intentionally masking its financial problems in order to induce Relativity to finance the TWC tuner Nine. Relativity made the claim in a response filed Thursday in to the lawsuit TWC filed against Relativity over rights to remake of The Crow.






Relativity's response, which seeks more than $20 million, stems from TWC's injunction filed last month in which the company sought to halt Relativity from selling distribution rights to anyone but TWC.

But Relativity has its own grievances – claiming that TWC's "mishandling" of the co-financed B.O. disappointment "Nine" two years ago is reason enough to shop "The Crow" elsewhere.






In the filing, Relativity claims:

"TWC's unilateral, ill-founded decision regarding the film's release directly resulted in the movie 'Nine' being a commercial disaster. Based on the information available to it, Relativity does not believe that TWC has the ability to meet ($70 million in P&A) obligations.

Relativity is under no obligation to allow TWC to ruin let another movie."






TWC attorney Bert Fields called Relativity's response "complete hogwash."

"If Mr. Kavanaugh had a claim on 'Nine,' he would have raised it at the time of 'Nine'. If Mr. Kavanaugh hasn't been living in a tree, he knows that the Weinsteins have completely restructured their company and have all the money they need and will get even more from 'The King's Speech'.

This is a thin excuse for violating his contract and repudiating 'The Crow.'"






Relativity's response also includes a motion to move the dispute over The Crow into arbitration, not litigation as Fields has requested through the injunction.

Relativity cites a clause in their March 2009 agreement that calls for any disputes to be settled through "confidential arbitration proceedings."



Law firms Weiss & Hunt, LLP and K&L Gates, LLP filed the response for Relativity, which include claims of breach of duty of good faith and fair dealing, repudiation, and unfair business practices.

http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/24574

[JamesG]

Relativity Lands First Blow for The Crow Rights
June 15, 2011
By: MrDisgusting


The battle to revive The Crow once again has already begun, and the first major blow has landed on the head of the Weinsteins.

Relativity Media prevailed over The Weinstein Company in court today, according to Relativity's legal representation and Deadline.




"The Court agreed with Relativity that TWC's lawsuit against Relativity was improper and violated the parties' arbitration agreement. TWC must now defend itself in the ongoing arbitration proceeding filed by Relativity. In that proceeding, Relativity claims damages in excess of $20 million against TWC for its egregious mishandling of the movie 'Nine' and seeks rescission of the parties' agreement with respect to 'The Crow.'

Today's ruling demonstrates that TWC's efforts to misuse the court system as a means of intimidation against Relativity failed. Relativity expects to prevail on all of its claims against TWC in arbitration."







A quick recap: Bert Fields is repping Harvey and Bob's The Weinstein Co against Ryan Kavanaugh's Relativity Media seeking injunctive relief and claiming there's "a written contract signed by everybody" which gives the Weinsteins exclusive worldwide distribution rights on The Crow reboot and that Relativity can't sell those rights to anybody else.

The original film was distributed by the Weinsteins at Miramax back in 1994 and grossed $50.6M domestic. Relativity has been working to put Edward R. Pressman's The Crow reinvention of the James O'Barr comic book series together.




Bradley Cooper was recently attached to star as the dead rocker Eric Draven in the Juan Carlos Fresnadillo-directed redo.

Who knows if they'll still be aboard after this mess is cleaned up...

http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/24967

[JamesG]

Lawsuit or Not, The Crow Will Fly
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
By: MrDisgusting



With the franchise in the middle of a legal battle, Relativity Media and producer Edward R. Pressman are still moving forward having tapped Watchmen scribe Alex Tse to write their reinvention of The Crow, based on the comic by James O'Barr.

Variety confirms that Bradley Cooper is still attached to star in the pic, which will be directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo (28 Weeks Later).




Relativity's adaptation of The Crow is expected to be a gritty reboot of the iconic gothic character Eric Draven, who returns from the grave on a mission to avenge his wife's murder so that his soul can rest.

http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/25066

[JamesG]

Bradley Cooper Leaves "The Crow's" Nest
By Harley W. Lond
Posted Aug 15th 2011


Bradley Cooper has had to ditch the part due to scheduling conflicts.

The role was originally played by Brandon Lee, who was killed by a freak accident during production in 1993; subsequent editions have starred Vincent Perez and Eric Mabius.



But never fear Crow fans, there's a couple of names floating around for the part: Mark Wahlberg, who was offered the part last year but a deal never developed, and Channing Tatum.

http://blog.moviefone.com/2011/08/15/bradley-cooper-leaves-the-crows-nest/

[JamesG]

Exclusive: Concept Art from Fresnadillo, Bradley Cooper's The Crow
Source: Ryan Turek, Managing Editor
November 12, 2011


This year, a reboot of The Crow was in development with Juan Carlos Fresnadillo (28 Weeks Later) sitting at the helm and Bradley Cooper to star as the eponymous character who returns from the grave to exact revenge.

Concept art from the film has flown our way giving us a sense of the film's color palette and Cooper's makeup design, hairstyle and wardrobe. The designs are by the production's Diego Latorre who worked on The Hulk for Marvel and the upcoming Batman Europa for DC Comics.

His other credits include Fringe and Dante's Inferno.



Without a director or actor, The Crow reboot is currently at a standstill until new talent comes aboard.

Fresnadillo has since moved on to Highlander.

http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=21874

[JamesG]

Bradley Cooper on The Crow
Dec. 6, 2011


Bradley Cooper spoke exclusively with Empire Magazine about what happened with The Crow reboot:

"We didn't really have that many ups-and-downs... we were talking about doing it with Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, who I'm such a massive fan of, and then the timing just didn't work out.

Then he just dropped out of it also, so I really don't know what they're going to do."

http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=32623

[JamesG]

Relativity, Weinstein Co. Settle Over The Crow Lawsuit
by Ryan Turek
January 23, 2011


Relativity Media alerted us today that the company and The Weinstein Company have settled the lawsuit over The Crow and will together continue to develop a new feature:

"The lawsuit between Relativity Media and The Weinstein Company concerning 'The Crow' has been amicably settled out of court, and the parties will continue to work on the film together as planned.

In addition, Relativity Media has dismissed all of its claims against The Weinstein Company for any wrongdoing regarding the release and distribution of NINE, and The Weinstein Company has dismissed all of its claims against Relativity Media."



Juan Carlos Fresnadillo and Bradley Cooper were attached to direct and star in the new film, but dropped out last August.

http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/165121-relativity-weinstein-co-settle-over-the-crow-lawsuit

[JamesG]

The Crow Reboot Finds a Writer
by Ryan Turek
January 24, 2012


Now that the legal problems surrounding The Crow have been cleared up, the production outfit is moving full steam ahead.

Deadline is reporting Relativity has tapped Jesse Wigutow to pen the reboot. Wigutow penned the 2003 film It Runs in the Family and has a slew of other projects in the works at various companies.

It is unknown what approach this incarnation of The Crow will be taking.

http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/165165-the-crow-reboot-finds-a-writer

[JamesG]

New reports state that F. Javier Gutiérrez (Before The Fall) is attached to direct The Crow reboot.

http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/165165-the-crow-reboot-finds-a-writer