Fact Check: Is The Crow (2024) a sequel to the 1994 original? Explained

The Crow is once again stirring anticipation with its upcoming 2024 release. The movie has generated a lot of debate, particularly on whether it follows its venerable 1994 original. Many want to know whether the new iteration offers a fresh viewpoint on the screen or if it continues the legacy of the previous one.

Rupert Sanders is directing The Crow's 2024 adaptation; Bill Skarsgård plays Eric Draven, a character made well-known by the late Brandon Lee.

The upcoming film centers on Eric Draven, a musician who's savagely killed with his fiancée. His tale doesn't stop there, though. Resurrected by a mystical crow, Eric comes back to life seeking retribution on those accountable for the deaths of his fiancée and himself.

Alex Proyas' 1994 film rapidly became a cult classic due in large part to its dark tone and the tragic death of Brandon Lee, the lead actor, during shooting. The original movie made a lasting impression on viewers by distinguishing in the terrain of 90s' film with its mix of gothic style and revenge-driven plot."

Now, with The Crow (2024), there's curiosity about its connection to the 1994 film. Director Rupert Sanders has clarified that the new version is not a traditional Hollywood remake of the original.

While it revisits the core narrative of the graphic novel by James O'Barr, the 2024 adaptation is intended to be a grittier, more intimate film, made with a significantly lower budget of $50 million.

This budget is roughly equivalent to the original’s inflation-adjusted budget, allowing the filmmakers to maintain a similar scale of production but with a contemporary approach.

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The Crow (2024) is not a sequel but a reboot

Sanders underlined in and interview on July 2, 2024, with Empire Magazine that The Crow (2024) is a reboot that honors the darkness and violence of the original graphic novel rather than a sequel.

Aiming to remain close to the core of the source material, free from the influence of a big studio, he described the project as a "scrappy indie movie." Emphasizing the fundamental components of the narrative, the movie should appeal to viewers of the original as well as new audiences.

The choice of Bill Skarsgård as Eric Draven also piques viewers' curiosity. Renowned for his passionate performances, Skarsgård is expected to give the character new vitality.

With him, the 2024 movie stands out from the original as a standalone franchise entry than a straight sequel. Furthermore, the choice to film in Prague and Munich points to a visual style difference from the gritty, urban look of the 1994 film.

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Cast of The Crow 2024

The cast of The Crow, about to release on August 23, 2024, features Bill Skarsgård in the lead role as Eric (The Crow).

The musician is revived from the dead to avenge his and his fiancée's murder. FKA Twigs portrays Shelly, Eric's beloved fiancée, whose tragic death sets the story in motion.

Danny Huston plays Vincent Roeg, a demonic crime lord, with Laura Birn as Marian, Roeg's loyal right-hand woman. Josette Simon takes on the role of Sophia, Shelly's mother. Sami Bouajila appears as Kronos, a guiding spirit assisting Eric on his vengeful mission, while Isabella Wei plays Zadie.

Jordan Bolger rounds out the cast as Chance, a tattoo artist and close friend of Eric and Shelly.

Not a follow-up to the 1994 original, The Crow (2024) is about revisiting the tale with a new cast and viewpoint.

Focused on the dark and violent themes that made the first movie a cult classic, this film, directed by Rupert Sanders, replicates the attitude of the original graphic novel by James O'Barr.

This new adaptation is set to stand on its own, providing a different perspective on a story that connects with viewers for decades while it keeps the fundamental plot of revenge and resurrection.