‘The Crow’ Director Mocks Remake’s Poor Box Office: “Not Much Cash to Grab”
The remake of the 1994 classic ‘The Crow’ recently hit cinemas, debuting with a modest box office of $4.6 million despite its hefty $50 million production budget. While these numbers might concern some, the original film’s director, Alex Proyas, seems far from disappointed. Proyas, who has been openly critical of the 2024 remake helmed by Rupert Sanders, took to Facebook to express his thoughts on the film’s lacklustre performance.
Proyas sarcastically commented on the remake’s opening, stating, “I thought the remake was a cynical cash-grab. Not much cash to grab it seems.” This post is one of several where Proyas has voiced his disapproval, even sharing YouTube reviews that heavily criticised the new film.
Image Courtesy: Flicks
One particularly harsh review titled, “The Crow – The Worst Movie Of The Year,” was shared by Proyas, who quipped, “It’s a bit like flogging a dead horse now so I think I’ll stop after this… until another funny one comes along! 😉.”
He didn’t stop there, suggesting in another post that the film’s digital copies be lent to film schools as examples of “how NOT to make a movie.” Proyas’ disdain for the remake isn’t new; earlier, he condemned the project following the release of its trailer, stating that The Crow should not be remade due to its deep connection to Brandon Lee’s tragic death during the original film’s production.
Brandon Lee, the son of martial arts legend Bruce Lee, tragically died on set in 1993 while filming his role as Eric Draven. Proyas has always maintained that the original The Crow serves as a legacy to Lee’s brilliance and should remain untouched. In contrast, the remake stars Bill Skarsgård as Draven, and while director Rupert Sanders has claimed that Lee’s “soul is very much alive in this film,” Proyas and many fans remain unconvinced.
Skarsgård, who stepped into the iconic role, acknowledged the challenge of following in Lee’s footsteps, describing the experience as “daunting.” He emphasised that the new film is “so different” from the original, insisting that Lee’s portrayal did not influence his approach, though the shadow of the original film’s legacy looms large over the remake.
-Sushmita Sarkar
