The Crow to Return

James O'Barr's singular graphic novel creation The Crow will be forever associated with Brandon Lee, the martial arts scion who was accidentally killed making Alex Proyas's 1994 film adaptation. But a long-discussed new version of the concept, reenvisioned in a more hard-edged, realistic style in contrast to Proyas's stylized, gothic feel, now has a director, Juan Carlos Fresnadillo (28 Weeks Later).

Producers have indicated that this Crow is not a remake, but a relaunch of the franchise, still dark but updated and with the intent of being somewhat more relatable. No casting has been announced as yet. The essential story involves a couple who are attacked and brutalized; the woman dies, and the man, believing himself resurrected by a spirit in the form of a crow, seeks brutal vengeance on the murderers as he suffers from the pain of her loss.

The film is expected to start production in the fall. The original film of The Crow was followed up with a television series, The Crow: Stairway to Heaven starring Mark Dacascos, and three feature sequels starring Vincent Perez, Eric Mabius, and Edward Furlong; so whoever's cast will actually be the fifth actor to play the role.

Meanwhile, a special edition of O'Barr's original graphic novel has just been announced, with a release date of July 28.

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