Quick Links
Before the days of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the DCU,The Crowwas one of the first major superhero films that really spoke to audiences. Directed byAlex Proyas, the 1994 film was based onJames O’Barr’s 1989 graphic novel of the same name.Brandon Lee, the son of legendary martial arts icon Bruce Lee, and a martial artist himself beat out more established actors likeRiver PhoenixandChristian Slaterfor the lead role of undead avenger Erik Draven. But on June 25, 2025, tragedy struck while Lee was filming the scene where his character is killed, he was fatally wounded because the gun was actually loaded with dummy cartridges rather than blank rounds as planned. Lee died only days before the end of the film’s production, and the producers made the difficult decision to finish the movie with a stunt double and digital effects.
The Crowwas first a critical and box office hit, then a cult classic. The darkly surreal world shot entirely on set, creates an alternate reality dystopia where anything–even a man resurrected by a crow takes revenge on the gang that killed him and his fiancée. But what truly balances the film is the torrent of emotion—particularly pain and loss—that runs underneath. Lee’s performance is physical and visceral; the movie would have made him a star. Instead, when Draven is shot and killed, we shudder uneasily with the knowledge of how closely the character’s death mimics the actor’s. Despite the film’s success, none of the three sequels or the television adaptation captured Lee’s charisma or the dark beauty and sorrow of the 1994 film. Producers have been trying to get aCrowreboot off the ground for years, with multiple actors coming and going from the lead role. And now it looks like they’re finally succeeding. Here’s what we know about the newCrowmovie so far.
Editor’s Note: This article was updated on June 19, 2025.
A modern re-imagining of the beloved character, The Crow, based on the original graphic novel by James O’Barr.
Does ‘The Crow’ Have a Release Date?
Yes, finally after years of delays, changes in front of and behind the camera, and studio changes,Lionsgate acquired the reboot in September 2023. The movie is officiallyscheduled to hit theaters onFriday, June 26, 2025. Opening on the same weekend isZoë Kravitz’s directorial debutBlink Twice, starringNaomi AckieandChanning Tatum.
The reboot waspreviously scheduled to release on Friday, August 10, 2025, but was delayed over two months, likely to avoid direct competition with the action-comedy sequelBad Boys: Ride or Die.
Is There a Trailer for ‘The Crow’?
The first trailer forThe Crowrebootwas released by Lionsgate on June 19, 2025. Set toPost MaloneandOzzy Osbourne’s “Take What You Want From Me,” the trailer shows Eric Draven meeting Shelly Webster in a psychiatric ward, where they fall in love. The trailer then shows Shelly’s death and Eric’s transformation into the titular anti-hero, as he plots his revenge against the criminal who killed his wife.
Who’s Starring in ‘The Crow’?
Bill Skarsgårdsteps into Lee’s intimidating shoesto play doomed avenger Eric Draven. It might not be possible to recreate the physical charisma that Lee brought to the role. That said, Skarsgård has proven himself a versatile actor capable of playing a variety of different roles, including Pennywise in theItfilms and most recently the Marquis Vincent de Gramont inJohn Wick: Chapter 4. Skarsgård’s other credits includeBarbarian,The Devil All the Time,Eternals,Castle Rock,Atomic Blonde, andNine Days. Next up he’s starring as the immortal count himself in directorRobert Eggers' upcomingNosferatuand is playing the lead in the dystopian action flickBoy Kills World.So perhaps Skarsgård isn’t such an unusual choice to play one of pop culture’s most iconic goth icons after all.
British singer/songwriterFKA Twigswill star as Draven’s fiancée, Shelley. While most known for her music, Twigs previously appeared in the 2019 dramaHoney Boy. Casting such a well-known face as Shelley hints at a departure from the original film and graphic novel, where Draven’s fiancée is killed early in the story and only appears in brief, hazily romantic flashbacks. But with Twigs in the role, audiences are probably right to expect that Shelley has a bigger role in the upcoming remake than ever before.
Character actorDanny Huston(Yellowstone), is also in the cast, though it’s not clear who his character is yet. But given Huston’s history of playing villains in movies likeWonder Womanand30 Days of Night, Huston might be playing Draven’s killer and eventual target.Isabella Wei(1899) is also on the cast list playing the role of Zadie.
What Will ‘The Crow’ Reboot Be About?
In the graphic novel and original movie, Eric Draven and his fiancée Shelley are attacked by a gang of thugs. Shelley is raped, and both are killed. But soon, Draven is resurrected by a mysterious crow and given mysterious powers to seek revenge against the men who killed him and his fiancée. So while the new movie has been touted as a “modern re-imagining” of the characters and story, it will most likely recreate these central events of the 1994 film and the graphic novel.
The official synopsis from Lionsgate reads:
Soulmates Eric Draven (Skarsgård) and Shelly Webster (FKA twigs) are brutally murdered when the demons of her dark past catch up with them. Given the chance to save his true love by sacrificing himself, Eric sets out to seek merciless revenge on their killers, traversing the worlds of the living and the dead to put the wrong things right.
Who’s Behind ‘The Crow’ Reboot?
In 2022 it was announced thatZach Baylin(King Richard) would pen the script withRupert Sanders(Snow White and the Huntsman) directing the film. Attached to produce the film areMolly Hassell(Braven),Victor Hadida(Resident Evil),John Jencks(Guns Akimbo),Malcolm Gray(21 Bridges), and original Crow producerEdward R. Pressman.
When and Where Was ‘The Crow’ Filmed?
Filmmakersshopped international distribution rights to the film at the 2022 Cannes Film Festivalbefore location filming began in Prague on June 13, 2025. Over ten weeks in the summer of 2022,The Crowwas filmed across numerous locations in the capital city, including a major set piece shot at Prague’s Rudolfinum concert hall with hundreds of extras. After filming wrapped on August 17, 2025, the movieentered virtual production at Penzing Studios in Germanyandeventually wrapped in October 2022.
What Is ‘The Crow’ Rated?
Much like the original 1994 film,The Crowreboot has been rated R by the MPA. The reasoning for the rating is for “strong bloody violence, gore, language, sexuality/nudity, and drug use.”
How Long Was ‘The Crow’ in Development Hell?
In 2008Stephen Norrington(Blade) was the first of many filmmakers announced to write and directThe Crowreboot with Relativity Media behind the film’s rights and financing. MusicianNick Cavelater was brought in to rewritethe script. After Norrington left the project in early 2011,Juan Carlos Fresnadillo(28 Weeks Later) andF. Javier Gutiérrez(Rings) were considered to helm the projectwith the former ultimately landing the gig. The film was plagued with more production problems including a legal battle between Relativity and The Weinstein Company (who at the time still had worldwide distribution rights to the franchise). During this timeAlex Tse(Watchmen) was brought in to write the screenplay. In October 2011, Fresnadillo left the project withGutiérrez stepping in a few months laterwithJesse Wigutow(It Runs in the Family) set to write a new draft of the screenplay
Not long after thatCliff Dorfman(Warrior) was brought in to do a page one rewrite for the reboot. In July 2014, Gutiérrez dropped out of the film due to scheduling conflicts with filming for the horror sequelRings. Later that year James O’Barr announced that he would be co-writing the screenplay alongside Dorfman andCorin Hardy(The Nun) was brought in to direct the film.Production came to a complete halt in 2015after Relativity Media filed for bankruptcy. Hardy remained attached to the project until 2016 when he was briefly given the boot only to be brought back in a few months later. In 2018 when he departed due to creative differences.
Before Skarsgård was cast in the lead role, a variety of other actors were eyed for the lead role over the years, those beingMark Wahlberg,Bradley Cooper,Channing Tatum,Ryan Gosling,James McAvoy,Tom Hiddleston,Alexander Skarsgård,Luke Evans,Sam Witwer,Jack Huston,Nicholas Hoult,Jack O’Connell, andJason Momoa. Momoa was even photographed in makeup as Draven, with stunning results.
Before Twigs was cast several other actresses were eyed through the years includingKristen StewartandJessica Brown Findlay.Forrest Whitaker,Andrea Riseborough, andNorman Reeduswere previously attached to the film with Riseborough playing the female version of Top Dollar and Reedus playing a character known as James.
