Back in 2008, director Stephen Norrington (The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen) signed on to direct a new adaptation of creator James O’Barr’s graphic novel, The Crow. At the time, producer Ryan Kavanaugh was asked about the style of the character in the new adaptation and said “No, totally different… He’ll have makeup, but it will be different. The best way to compare it is the first Batman and Batman Begins. In terms of their look and feel and character.”
Back in June, producer Edward Pressman (The Crow: Wicked Prayer) spoke about the setting of the film and the differences from the original and said that ““The setting is the southwest – the Mexico/Arizona area – and an urban [setting], Detroit or Pittsburgh or something like that,” he described. “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.”
Now, Bloody-Disgusting reports that Mark Wahlberg has officially been offered the lead role in the film, although they suspect that Wahlberg will most likely decline the offer.
Back in February, we were lucky enough to interview the creator of The Crow, James O’Barr and he offered some insights on what he thought about the proposed remake.
O’Barr said,
“Other than greed, there’s no reason to do this.”
“I gave “The Crow” a closed ending. There is nothing new to add [to the story].”
But to start anew with this relaunch? O’Barr was not optimistic:
“Honestly, I don’t think anyone sets out to make a bad film. So many things are involved because it’s art by committee.”
“I don’t have a lot of faith because it’s the same producers that did the other sequels. I do give them credit for not using the Eric and Shelly characters because people are very affectionate towards Brandon and protective as well.”
“It’s Brandon’s achievement… the only film he ever made that he wasn’t in his father’s shadow.”
“Ed Pressman is all about money. Granted, the movies are about money,… it’s a small intimate story but if the core romantic element isn’t there, there’s nothing left!”
[The Shakedown]
I’m actually a fan of Wahlberg’s, and being a fan of the original and what I feel should be the ONLY movie based on O’Barr’s work, I hope that the Bloody-Disgusting guys are right and Wahlberg runs as far as he can in the opposite direction of this project.
