We haven’t heard much about the reboot of The Crow franchise since since Stuart Norrington revealed a few months ago that he was no longer in the director’s chair. His departure from the long-gestating film followed disagreements over the direction it should go (which seemed to involve Mark Wahlberg showing interest in starring and wanting the alter everything).
However Relativity Media has now announced that they have closed a deal for Juan Carlos Fresnadillo to direct the re-invention, based on the comic book series and comic strip by James O’Barr.
Fresnadillo is best known for directing 28 Weeks Later, the post-apocalyptic horror sequel to 28 Days Later. He also helmed the acclaimed Spanish-language film Intacto and is currently in post-production on Intruders starring Clive Owen. Fresnadillo will collaboratively develop the script once a new writer is attached to adapt the screenplay.
As for Wahlberg’s involvement, it seems he’s stepped away, as currently there’s no cast attached.
The Crow adaptation will be a reboot of the iconic cult character Eric Draven, who’s resurrected as The Crow to avenge his wife’s murder so he can reunite with her in the hereafter, as first envisioned by graphic novelist James O’Barr.
It’s hoped that shooting will commence in the autumn, and let’s just pray the reboot can drag the franchise back from the dreadful straight-to-DVD sequels it sank into.