Relativity Medias Co-President, Tucker Tooley, Edward R. Pressman, producer behind the cult-classic The Crow franchise, and The Weinstein Companys Dimension Films, announced today they have closed a deal with F. Javier Gutiérrez (Before The Fall) to direct a reinvention of The Crow, the 1994 smash hit film based on the comic book series and comic strip by James OBarr. Writer Jesse Wigutow has signed on to pen the script.
Gutiérrezs directorial debut, the Spanish-language apocalyptic thriller Before the Fall (Tres Dias), became an international and award-winning sensation after premiering at the Berlinale Film Festival in 2008. In Spain, the film won Best Motion Picture and Best Screenplay at the 2008 Malaga Film Festival, the Miradas Award (TVE) for Best Motion Picture of the Year, and garnered nominations from the Spain Critics Awards. In Europe, the film was a finalist for the 2008 European Film Awards and won main prizes in such science-fiction and fantasy film festivals as the Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival, the Trieste Film Fesitval, and later in the U.S., picked up four awards at Los Angeles famed Horror Festival Scream Fest in 2009 (for editing, Gutiérrezs directing, cinematography, and actor Victor Clavijo). The film also ranked #3 on the International Watch List 2008. Gutiérrez is currently developing Dimension Films sci-fi thriller The Greys.
Wigutow most recently did a re-write for Robert Ludlums thriller The Osterman Weekend for Summit, and adapted the book Steve McQueen: Portrait of an American Rebel for Brian Olivers Cross Creek Films. He is also developing Age Inappropriate at Universal and Irreparable Harm at HBO. Previously, he has worked on films including: Tron: Legacy, 8 Mile, Eragon, and The Ruins.
The Crow adaptation will be a gritty reboot of the iconic character Eric Draven, who returns from the grave as The Crow on a mission to avenge his wifes murder, so that his soul can finally rest. The original film is known for its breakthrough visual style as well as its unique production design and cinematography. The project is currently in development; start of production, targeted release dates and casting to be announced.
The film is being produced by Edward R. Pressman, Jeff Most and Relativitys CEO Ryan Kavanaugh. Relativitys Tooley (Immortals), The Weinstein Companys Harvey and Bob Weinstein and Farah Films Dan Farah (Armored) will serve as executive producers.
