When it comes to The Crow remake (or, more accurately, “new adaptation), it’s one step forward, two steps back. The film’s troubled development history is well worn territory by now, with a revolving door of directors and an even greater quantity of actors having breezed through the project at one point or another. Last December, the latest filmmaker to sign on became Corin Hardy, with Relativity having received good word on the director from his pal Edgar Wright. Subsequently, Luke Evans dropped out, Boardwalk Empire star Jack Huston signed on to star, and things were looking up as Andrea Riseborough was eyed to play villain Top Dollar and just today Forest Whitaker entered talks for an unspecified role.
But as if on cue, Variety now reports that Huston has left the project, vacating the lead role. In a statement released to the outlet, Hardy remains optimistic by adding, “We look forward to unveiling our new lead and starting to film over the next several weeks,” so it’s possible this isn’t as big a setback as it appears. Nevertheless, it’s still pretty funny/sad.
The wording of the full statement makes it sound like Huston may have departed over creative differences. The actor has become increasingly in demand after the end of Boardwalk Empire, and he’s currently filming the starring role in MGM’s Ben-Hur remake.
Variety notes that Nicholas Hoult and Jack O’Connell are being eyed to replace Huston in The Crow, among others, so it’s possible we could hear news on the new lead actor in the next few weeks. Pre-production is already underway in Wales, so maybe this umpteenth time will be the charm? This being The Crow and all, though, it’s probably best not to hold one’s breath.
