As inevitable as it may seem, the iconic The Crow is set to soar once again in theaters come this summer. This iteration is not intended to be a retread of the famed 1994 hit, but rather a fresh take on the original comic source. Despite this, the shadow of the original film’s tragedy, which saw the death of star Brandon Lee, looms large, leaving fans defensive over the franchise, including Skarsgård himself. While there have been a handful of sequels, Skarsgård is the first to reprieve the role of Eric Draven since Lee. And though the anticipation is building for the upcoming film amidst a superhero-sparse summer, Skarsgård appears to have reservations, especially concerning the film’s conclusion. “I personally preferred something more definitive,” revealed Skarsgård in an interview with Esquire. Perhaps he’s indicating that sequels are not his cup of tea.
Insights from the film’s Crow production evoke a harsh environment. Skarsgård describes relentless night shoots spanning four months with minimal breaks, where his diet consisted of “about a pound of raw meat” daily as if preparing for a Liver King biopic. Even the conclusive shoot was taxing. Director Rupert Sanders recounts, “On the last night of shooting, I said to him—we had this agricultural tank filled with black syrup—and I said, ‘Bill, I know it’s eleven at night, and it’s not very warm in there, but would you get in that oil and thrash around and scream and come up out of that oil as if you’re possessed?’” With this perspective, Skarsgård’s displeasure with regard to the movie’s finale becomes somewhat more understandable. Yet, who knows, perhaps the film will come with an exceptional soundtrack that will make it all worthwhile.
While expressing his mixed feelings about the Crow‘s ending, Skarsgård shows enthusiasm when discussing a different project, the remake of Nosferatu. This project represents Skarsgård’s third significant participation in a genre film remake, following his roles in It and The Crow. Yet, the actor doesn’t seem perturbed by these comparisons. Regarding his undisclosed appearance in the film, which remains tightly concealed (a point of appreciation for Skarsgård, who criticized Warner Bros. for revealing the Pennywise makeup prematurely), he describes the character as “gross” yet “very sexualized.”
“It’s a play on the sexual fetish of the monster’s allure and its potent appeal,” he elaborates. “The aim is for viewers to find themselves both lured by it and repulsed by their attraction.”
One can only hope it doesn’t lead to yet another sequel.
FAQs About Bill Skarsgård and The Crow Remake
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What role does Bill Skarsgård play in the The Crow remake?
Bill Skarsgård takes on the role of Eric Draven, which was originally played by Brandon Lee in the 1994 film.
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Has Bill Skarsgård expressed any particular opinions about The Crow remake?
Yes, in an interview with Esquire, Skarsgård shared his preference for a “more definitive” ending for the film, suggesting that he may not be fond of open endings that lead to sequels.
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What are the conditions of the film’s production that Skarsgård described?
Bill Skarsgård talked about grueling night shoots over four months with few days off, in addition to consuming a pound of raw meat daily for his physical prep. Even on the last day of shooting, he was required to perform strenuous, uncomfortable scenes.
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What are Skarsgård’s thoughts on his role in the upcoming Nosferatu remake?
Skarsgård appears excited about his role in the Nosferatu remake. He describes his character as “gross” and “very sexualized,” playing with the power dynamic and allure of the monster.
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Is Bill Skarsgård against movie sequels?
While not explicitly stated, his comments about preferring definitive endings imply that he might not be an advocate for continuations that could lead to sequels.