Rupert Sanders' remake of the 1994 cult classic The Crow is soon hitting a theater near you. FKA Twigs, cast as character Shelly Webster, alongside co-star Bill Skarsgård, who plays soulmate Eric Drave, is based on the 1989 limited comic book series of the same name by James O'Barr.
The original film stars Brandon Lee in the role of Eric Draven, a musician who is resurrected from the dead to seek vengeance against the gang who murdered him, and fiancée, Shelly Webster, portrayed by Sofia Shinas, all the while being pursued by a sympathetic police officer.
You can watch Twigs and Skarsgård wreak renewed havoc among their killers in the film's first trailer here.
"I am so thrilled to be in The Crow alongside the talented Bill Skarsgård and extraordinary director Rupert Sanders," FKA Twigs said in a press statement.
"The love Bill and I share on screen is effortless and indicative of the authenticity and ease that I dreamed of bringing to the role of Shelly. Eric and Shelly's unbreakable unity is so profound and beautiful, something I hope we all feel at least once as part of the human experience. I am so excited that the trailer is being unveiled and even more excited to have the world see the film this summer."
Sanders reconceptualized O'Barr's graphic novel in a new script written by Zach Baylin and William Schneider. Alex Proyas directed the 1994 original, which was cemented for its cult status and devastating history, which ultimately led to the death of lead actor Brandon Lee while on set.
In a real tragic turn, Lee was filming a scene where Draven is shot as he enters a room; however, due to an improperly loaded revolver, Lee was fatally shot when a blank bullet lodged into his stomach with roughly the same force as a live one would.
"I was a huge fan of the original film growing up as a kid and was so honored to take on the role of Eric Draven. But really what drew me to it was what Rupert Sanders wanted to do with it. He wanted to completely reimagine the story and the character and tailor it towards a modern audience. It's a character that I know many revere and have a strong connection to-he is unlike any I've ever taken on before. Working with the remarkably talented FKA twigs was magical. I felt a responsibility to Eric's story and endeavored to stay true to the spirit of the source material; I can't wait for the world to see the film, and hope it resonates with audiences as strongly as it did with those of us involved," Skarsgård told Pitchfork in an interview.
Sanders reveals what set him on the journey to remake the classic, emphasizing its deeply meaningful message for many. It represents loss, pain, love, and grief, which he noted that almost all of us have or will experience at some point in our lives.
"What Alex Proyas did with the Crow in 1994, and Brandon Lee's iconic embodiment of that character will forever impact that generation and others to follow. It was a culture-defining film that is beloved to this day and has inspired many other iterations both inside and outside the Crow Universe," explained Sanders.
