One could say that the reboot of The Crow (1994) was simply cursed. Going through ups and downs ever since its announcement, no one knew if the film would even come to fruition. However, after years and years of setbacks, the reboot will finally be released this year, albeit without Jason Momoa. Actor Jason Momoa was all set to play the lead in the reboot, which he stated was his dream role.
Unfortunately, due to some differences, Jason Momoa had to walk away from the character he had dreamed of playing for eight years. Not only did the actor say goodbye to the reboot, but director Corin Hardy, too, packed his bags and left. Taking to social media, both Jason Momoa and Corin Hardy put out their sides of the story.
Why Jason Momoa Left The Crow Reboot
Why on Earth would someone leave a project that has been their dream for eight years? Well, sometimes things just don’t work out the way you hope they will. According to Jason Momoa, who took to Instagram to write a farewell note for his fans, the film was simply not right. Posting a photo of him and then-director Corin Hardy, Momoa penned down a small paragraph apologizing for his exit, despite The Crow/Eric Draven being his dream role.
Momoa even apologized to James O’Barr, who created the comics the films are based on. In the end, he wrote that he’s still ready to bring the comic character to life “when it’s right.”
“I’ve waited 8 years to play this dream role. I love you @corinhardy and @sonypictures unfortunately I may have to wait 8 more. Not our team. But I swear I will. James O’Barr [creator of the comic book series The Crow] sorry to let you down I won’t on the next. This film needs to be set free. And to the fans. Sorry. I can’t play anything but what this film deserves and it needs love. I’m ready when it’s right.”
After Momoa’s exit, the reboot finally found its Eric Draven in Bill Skarsgård. On the other hand, little did the Aquaman actor know that Hardy and Sony Pictures would also end up following in his footsteps.
The Crow’s Former Director Leaves the Film
Just a couple of days after Momoa’s announcement, Hardy also took to his Instagram and shocked the fans eagerly waiting for the reboot of Alex Proyas’ 1994 film. He wrote a long heartfelt message stating how he wanted his reboot to do justice to both the original film and the source material. He added that he had given the reboot his everything for three-and-a-half years to create something he could be proud of.
Unfortunately, things didn’t work out as he had quite hoped and filmmaker Rupert Sanders stepped onto the mantle. Hardy wrote,
“I knew from the off, that the idea of making a new version of The Crow was never going to be for everyone, because it is a beloved film. And I say that as someone in love with it myself. But I poured everything I had into the last 3.5 years of work, to try & create something which honoured what the Crow stood for; from James O’Barr’s affecting graphic novel, to Alex Proyas’s original movie, with great respect to Brandon Lee and with the desire to make something bold and new, that myself, as an obsessive fan, could be proud of.
…And with @prideofgypsies Jason Momoa, and my amazing team of artists & film-makers, we came SO close. But sometimes, when you love something so much, you have to make hard decisions. And yesterday, deciding it was time to let go of this dark & emotional dream project, was the hardest decision of all.
Buildings burn, people die, but real love is forever.”
Maybe one day we’ll get to witness Momoa playing The Crow with Hardy directing him. After all, the actor is completely ready to wait for a few more years, isn’t he?
The Crow will be released on June 07, 2024.
