Movies
‘The Crow’ Creator James O’Barr Calls Remake “Kind of Ridiculous”
Dallas Observer has run a wonderful in depth interview James O’Barr, creator of “The Crow” comic, to look back on the book’s 20th anniversary. While we’re going to focus on remake talk – Relativity has locked Juan Carlos Fresnadillo to direct with Bradley Cooper cast as the new Eric Draven – I highly suggest clicking the link to read an emotional reflection on the story that was originally meant as a cathartic response to the death of the author’s fiance.
As for the remake, “I have kind of divorced myself from all of that,” said O’Barr. “I was heavily involved with the first film, and Brandon [Lee] was my friend. I kind of feel like I made my movie, and I really have nothing else to say with that character or that scenario. It was never designed to be a ‘Star Trek’ or ‘James Bond’ franchise, which is what they keep trying to turn it into. Initially, I thought that they would cheapen the first film by making these bad sequels but in reality all they did was make it look that much better.
“Remaking ‘The Crow,’ a film that is only 15 years old, is kind of ridiculous at this point,” he continues. “I don’t think anyone sets out to make a bad film, but the first ‘Crow’ was a $10 million movie. I don’t think it matters how much money you throw at it or what stars you put in it — no one is going to top what Brandon and Alex Proyas did in the first film.”
Frankly, I can’t think of any actor that is going to have Brandon’s physicality and his charisma. I just can’t think of anyone that can pull that off. I actually think of Brandon when I think of ‘The Crow’ now.”
Click the link above for the rest of one of the best interviews out of the San Diego Comic-Con.
Director Casper Kelly (Too Many Cooks, V/H/S/Halloween) is back with another twisted vision this year, with his new movie Buddy coming to theaters from Saban on August 28.
Buddy centers on the titular unicorn mascot — a beloved children’s TV host with a squeaky-clean persona that belies his true nature as a dark and violent force of nature.
Watch the brand new official teaser trailer below to begin the nightmare.
Here’s the official synopsis: “Inside the colorful world of It’s Buddy!, a group of children spend their days singing, dancing, and helping Buddy spread happiness. But when one child refuses to play along, Buddy is not pleased and cracks begin to appear in this seemingly perfect world.”
Cristin Milioti stars as Grace, a suburban mother inadvertently drawn into Buddy’s nightmare world, with Delaney Quinn as Freddy, a brave girl who begins to fight back against Buddy when he shows his true self. Keegan-Michael Key voices Buddy. The horror movie’s cast also includes Topher Grace, Michael Shannon, and Patton Oswalt.
Casper Kelly co-wrote the movie with Jamie King (“Jessica Jones”).
“It’s an honor to be partnering with Roadside Attractions and Saban Films, two companies that have built reputations for championing bold films,” commented Kelly. “The theatrical experience means so much to me personally, and I made Buddy to be experienced in a theater. I’m thrilled that audiences will get the chance to see the movie in theaters everywhere.”
“Casper Kelly is one of the most wildly inventive and audacious filmmakers working today, and Buddy is a testament to his singular genius,” said Saban co-presidents Jonathan Saba and Shanan Becker. “He possesses a rare aptitude for taking the wholesome nostalgia of our childhoods and flipping it into a brilliantly unhinged, laugh-out-loud nightmare.”
Meagan Navarro wrote in her review, “Casper Kelly drops viewers straight into the world of a kids’ show with a high-concept horror comedy that dials up the absurdities of kids’ television programming to a lethal degree. Those on board with an experimental structure and Kelly’s darkly playful sense of humor will find this raucous midnighter highly entertaining.”
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