The Crow holds different sentiments for different people, but at the core of most fans feelings are that Brandon’s interpretation of Eric Draven was magnetic, and truly special. Of course, there will always be a level of sacredness reserved for this film, because of the terrible circumstances in which Brandon Lee lost his life on this film. The Crow carries with it significant heartbreak for some, and a lot of emotion for practically all who have seen it. Even the harden film critics back in 1994 were truly moved when they reviewed this film, and Brandon’s soul pouring performance impressed all who saw it. Now, what many didn’t know and certainly very little was published of it at the time, was the truth about the large amount of creative input Brandon actually contributed to the developed of the character of Eric, as he became the Eric Draven (Draven was a name given to the character for the film) as we know him to be now. Many ideas, concepts and even characterizations Brandon contributed to. He developed that character and made it his own. So many should be able to see why a proposed project, where Brandon’s own ideas and developed characterization are going to re-made and copied, has caused many fans to be very concerned.
The news last week that Edward. R. Pressman intended to revive the dying franchise by proposing for failing director Stephen Norringtonn to direct the remake of The Crow, not using the graphic novel, but the actual storyline that was developed for the original film, angered many. The brief statements from Pressman and Norrington were also filled with ambiguous references to the original film, and little if any references to the actual graphic novel, which any re-interpretation should be based on. Even the most devoted comic enthusiasts were crying foul, and called for something to be done to either stop it or clarify what the hell they will be doing.
In response to fans own concerns we decided to set up a petition. The petition is against any proposed plans to copy the original concept of the characters, storylines, and any other developed aspects of this film, NOT the original comic. Some misunderstood what the aim of the petition was. It was not to protest against anyone trying to continue ‘The Crow’ franchise. While I don’t give two hoots for the sequels, I don’t have anything against the sequels, as they have nothing to do with Brandon or anything he created. The number of fans and admirers involved in this argument also have agreed with the idea that if a literal translation was done by Hollywood, then t it would be much appreciated by those die hard comic fans. A literal translation would be frame-by-frame replication of what James O’Barr created all those years ago. The original film was a great work and had the essence of the comic, but it was not a literal translation (even Brandon was honest about that and the reasons why he felt his film had to be a difference). The petition is expressing a collective voice to those who have the film rights, to make the best decision for the fans, and not to do it the way it has been proposed. If it goes ahead as it stands now, there will be very little support and it may actually kill the franchise, the one the makers hope the new project will just be the start of. The petition is just a call to those players to consider and address the concerns of the fans – the key audience they hope to sell the film to.
Some fans have voiced opinion that perhaps it won’t be as bad, although considering the makers of the franchise’s track record of lying to fans, how can anyone really trust in that faith? Some fans even have suggested that a re-make may force more focus and exposure to Brandon’s own work, and his legacy. In theory, that sounds nice, almost idealistic that a new film would be so bad that it would show the original for the great film it is. However, the problem with that idea is that even when Brandon died there was little focus directed to his own life, accomplishments or his legacy. In fact, as the years have gone on it has become harder to respond to all the misconceptions about Brandon and his film, because of the negative attention from the mediocre sequels. New fans find Brandon’s original translation of Eric without much help, and his film is often at first boxed in with all those horrible sequels, so the concept that this project will attract more to Brandon doesn’t seem like it would be effective or productive for his legacy. And as I try and remind people, coping someone’s work is not remembering them. If Pressman truly wishes to do something significant for Brandon’s memory, he could re-release The Crow in cinemas across the world, and give younger fans the chance to see the film up close, like many of us did, back in 1994. If any project was going to benefit Brandon’s memory, don’t you think we would be bending over backwards to encourage other fans to get behind it? We are the ones who set up the BLM for just that purpose – to educate and inform the public (with historical accuracy) about Brandon’s life, career and legacy. We want more than anything for Brandon to be fully appreciated and recognized for the unique and talented individual that he was, as well as for the human being he was, away from whatever fabricated misconceptions there has been out there about him.
For us, Brandon’s own words about those who copy was all we needed to know that what were doing would be supported by him. Brandon himself hated re-makes, he hated any kind of film where people were not being original. He also went on record, saying that “if you copy you do not contribute anything to the world”. The Crow stands as a eulogy for Brandon, and for the spirit of how precious life is for all of us human beings.
I have also felt that if this project brings back even HALF of that negative publicity that was followed with the original film, even Brandon’s own loved ones are not safe. His death did not focus any real energy or exposure on Brandon, instead it focused on the make believe world of curses and conspiracies. If this crow project was going to honor Brandon in any way we would be behind it 110%.
Let me clarify again, this proposed re-make is not a sequel, and it is not a literal translation of the graphic novel – at least from what has been put forth in the media. Further communication between media and the powers that be have remained silent. When there is silence when communication has been sought – it can only mean that something is up and it most likely is nothing positive. Perhaps it might mean that fans concerns have made someone re-think such a ridiculous idea of copying the original film. If they think fans are just asleep, they certainly may have gotten a big fat slap of the truth with the petition and the Internet uproar. We are drafting an official letter from the fans to Edward. R. Pressman, including with that, will be a copy of the petition, which now has 300 signatures. Please spread the word about this and remain productive in our aims to make sure that Brandon’s memory and legacy carries on. Do it for Brandon and for he sacrificed for his art.
Brandon was an individual with a very heightened social conscience and a very loyal sense of what was right and wrong, especially when it came to ethics. He rejected offers for many years of roles where he would be betraying his own values, and which did not contribute new art to the world. He was a human being who had a seeker spirit, and only wanted to leave the world a better person than what he came in as. Betraying someone’s own artistic vision and ideas by copying it, is not adding anything new to the world, nor to humanity for that matter. The Crow symbolizes for many the story of an individual, who stood up for people against injustice. It may be a story BUT Brandon’s memory deserves some justice too.
