The Director of ‘The Crow’ Let Everyone Know He Hates the Remake
Some movies should just be left alone. The industry recently remade the cult classic The Crow and nobody’s happy about that. The director of the first movie isn’t pulling any punches on this one. He revealed why he believes that the original movie didn’t need to be regurgitated by the Hollywood machine.
The director of ‘The Crow’ said the remake isn’t even a cash-grab
Alex Proyas is a film director who became known for cult classic science fiction films like Dark City, Knowing, and I, Robot. He is known for his keen visual sense, which has often been informed by film noir. His biggest film was probably The Crow starring Brandon Lee. Hollywood recently remade the film with Bill Skarsgård. Nobody was asking for this remake, least of all Proyas.
On his Facebook, the director roasted the intentions behind the remake and its box office performance. “I thought the remake was a cynical cash-grab,” he said. “Not much cash to grab it seems.”
Proyas also mentioned a review calling the new Crow the worst film of the year. “The review we’ve all been waiting for,” he said. “It’s a bit like flogging a dead horse now so I think I’ll stop after this … until another funny one comes along.” The Crow is a movie about revenge and it seems that Proyas has gotten his revenge on the remake.
Alex Proyas implied that the remake of ‘The Crow’ is disrespectful
On social media, Proyas said that the film was an insult to Lee. “I really don’t get any joy from seeing negativity about any fellow filmmaker’s work,” Proyas wrote. “And I’m certain the cast and crew really had all good intentions, as we all do on any film.
“So it pains me to say any more on this topic, but I think the fan’s response speaks volumes,” he continued. “The Crow is not just a movie. Brandon Lee died making it, and it was finished as a testament to his lost brilliance and tragic loss. It is his legacy. That’s how it should remain.”
Maybe leaving the original film alone would have been a tasteful move. However, Hollywood doesn’t care about good taste. At least the public has the discernment to ignore the remake.
How the 2 films performed at the box office
The proof is in the pudding. Box Office Mojo reports the original version of The Crow performed well. It made over $50 million worldwide. For a movie based on an obscure comic book character, it did very well. The movie led to three film spin-offs: The Crow: City of Angels, The Crow: Salvation, and The Crow: Wicked Prayer.
On the other hand, the new movie’s performance is just plain embarrassing. Box Office Mojo reports that the remake has grossed around $10 million. The film is probably going to go on the ash heap of history only to enter the zeitgeist again when all the movie critics have to create their mandatory lists of the worst films of 2024. Afterward, it’ll probably disappear into the ether, just like the remakes of the 1990s cult classics Total Recall and Jacob’s Ladder.
The remake of The Crow isn’t doing well at the box office but at least the director of the original film is roasting it online.
