Summary
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The 2024 version ofThe Crowbanned guns on set after what happened in the 1994 movie. The latest adaptation of the comic series sees Bill Skarsgård as Eric, a man who seeks revenge post-mortem after he and his partner are brutally murdered.Brandon Lee previously portrayed a similar role in the 1994 movie, in which the actor tragically died from wounds he sustained while filming as the result of a firearms malfunction.
Speaking withVariety, director Rupert Sanders explained why guns were not used on the set of 2024’sThe Crow. He detailed that film sets can be dangerous, so a well-trained armorer with military-like practices was hired to protect the set. However, the director felt there weren’t enough safety procedures, ultimately deciding thatThe Crowshould have “no firing weapons on set.“This meant that they only used Airsoft weapons that had no firing mechanism, so they would not have live rounds or blanks. Check out the full quote from Sanders below:
Safety is a number one priority. Film sets are very dangerous. There are fast-moving cars with cranes stuck on the top. There are stunt guys falling on high wires down steps. Even just walking around a set at night with rain machines and lights — you’re working in an industrial environment. So it’s dangerous. You have to be safe. The first day I met with the special effects department and the armorer, who was great, in Prague. They were very safety-conscious. They follow all the same guidelines as the military when dealing with weapons, but I didn’t even want to risk that.
So I said, categorically, ‘We will have no firing weapons on set,’ which means we didn’t have one gun that could have had a live round or a blank round anywhere near it ever, so that no projectile could go in. They’re all Airsoft guns, and some of them are just rubber or metal decoys that are functional but have no firing mechanism.
The beauty of the Airsoft is that the slide on a Glock will still move back, but then you have to add the shell casing. You have to add a muzzle flash and smoke, but that was a price worth paying. It took a fair bit of money out of my very limited visual effects budget, but I think it was worth it. The visual effects on this movie were very much in-camera. We were mainly a location shoot with set extension. So you have to balance where you spend the money when you don’t have a massive budget to do visual effects. But to me, that was a very worthwhile spend for everyone’s safety and comfort going into this project.
Why Guns On 2024’s The Crow Set Would Be Especially Controversial
There Was Another Recent Set Gun Tragedy.
While guns have already been controversial on filming set because of Lee’s fatal death in 1993, the dangerous weapon has become aprevalent topic in recent years due to theRustshooting incident. Filming for the movieRustin 2021, actor and producer Alec Baldwin was holding a gun when it accidentally fired. This gunshot wounded director Joel Souza and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The gun that Baldwin was holding was not supposed to be loaded with any ammo, and as a result, this gunshot accident led to a highly publicized lawsuit.
Lee’s death on the set ofThe Crowmemorialized the actor, leaving his performance a beloved aspect of the original film.
The Crowmoviehas also been subject to enough controversy even without the potential gun discord relating to theRustlawsuit. Lee’s death on the set ofThe Crowmemorialized the actor, leaving his performance a beloved aspect of the original film. This led to many conversations about whetherThe Crowshould ever be adapted again. This thought was only further emphasizedwhen the first images of Skarsgård’s tattooed depiction were met with brutal online criticism from audiences.
The Crow Reboot’s Controversy & Original Director’s Comments Explained
The Crow reboot has attracted controversy, chiefly from the original film’s director, who believes that it is disrespectful to Brandon Lee’s memory.
AlthoughSkarsgård’sThe Crowversionhas been met with backlash for creative reasons, the gun ban indicates how the team took caution to protect those on set following the tragic events. It’s even become a grander topic throughout Hollywood, as shows likeThe Rookiehave opted to use Airsoft guns with CGI being used in post. Therefore, this behind-the-scene detail will at least ease some conversations leading toThe Crow’s release, in which comparisons to Lee’s version will become inevitable.
The Crow
Cast
The Crow (2024) is a dark and gritty reimagining of the original graphic novel. It follows Eric, who is resurrected from the dead to avenge his and his soulmate’s brutal murders. Armed with supernatural abilities, Eric seeks justice against the killers responsible, navigating through a corrupt city that is as much a character as he is. This adaptation introduces new elements to captivate the modern audience!
