‘The Crow’ remake director responds to Bill Skarsgård criticism
Rupert Sanders, the director of the new remake of The Crow, has responded to star Bill Skarsgård’s criticism regarding the film’s ending.
The movie retells the story of the 1994 film of the same name, directed by Alex Proyas and starring Brandon Lee. In the remake, Skarsgård takes on the lead role of Eric, a man who seeks to avenge the murder of his girlfriend after he is resurrected on the anniversary of their deaths. FKA Twigs stars as Shelly, his girlfriend, while Danny Hutson and Josette Simon take on supporting roles.
The Crow opened in cinemas in the United States earlier this week to a poor box office result. So far, the film has made just under $10million, less than a fifth of its $50m budget.
Furthermore, a couple of months ago, Skarsgård himself suggested that he wasn’t entirely happy with the conclusion of the film, which seems to set up a sequel. During an interview with Esquire, he suggested that he would have “preferred something more definitive”.
Now, director Sanders has refuted his star’s critique. “Ironically, I don’t think that’s true at all,” he stated during a conversation with Variety, “If there is a sequel down the line, maybe 30 years from now, they’re gonna have to figure out a way to get themselves out of jail a bit because it’s certainly not, ‘What happens next?'”
He stated that this route would have been “cheap and not the sentiment in which we made the film”.
According to Sanders, the ending was subject to “a lot of trial and error”. He recalled cutting around 20 options and watching five alongside Skarsgård. “The people you invest in through the whole film are not allowed to be together again,” he explained, “But you want this feeling that it all was worth it.”
Sanders concluded his response by asserting that it was the “right ending for the movie”. “There’s something very decisive about our ending,” he added, “It’s not expected, it’s not ‘happy,’ and it’s certainly not like, ‘Wait for the sequel!'”
Given the current response to the remake, it seems unlikely that The Crow will be receiving a sequel unless box office takings pick up.
Further criticism from original director of ‘The Crow’
In March, Alex Proyas, the director of 1994’s original adaptation of The Crow, also slammed Sanders’ reboot.
The filmmaker took to Facebook to offer his opinion, and while he maintained that the new cast and crew would have had sound intentions, he noted that the original is more than just a movie, as it is the ultimate testament to the life and loss of Brandon Lee.
Proyas, who also helmed Dark City and I, Robot, said: “I really don’t get any joy from seeing negativity about any fellow filmmakers work. And I’m certain the cast and crew really had all good intentions, as we all do on any film.”
He added: “It pains me to say any more on this topic, but I think the fan’s response speaks volumes. 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.”
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