If you’re excited to see “Boardwalk Empire” actor Jack Huston portray Eric Draven in Relativity Studios’ upcoming remake of cult classic “The Crow“, you’re going to be so disappointed by this.
Variety reported that Huston has dropped out of the remake due to scheduling issues. He is the 2nd actor to have dropped out of the project as “Dracula Untold” star Luke Evan was originally slated to play Draven when director F. Javier Gutierrez was attached to helm it.
Director Corin Hardy, who replaced Gutierrez in this remake, said in a statement:
Jack Huston is unfortunately unavailable to continue with us on “The Crow”. “The Crow” is an amazing project, and I am grateful that we have the time and patience to get it right. We look forward to unveiling our new lead and starting to film over the next several weeks.
Regarding Huston’s departure, the Relativity Studios commented:
Jack is a remarkably gifted actor, and we look forward to working with him in the future. Corin Hardy has a tremendous vision for “The Crow”, and we are working closely with him to continue prepping the movie and supporting him as he brings his vision to the big screen.
Eric Draven is a role originally played by the late Brandon Lee in the 1994 dark thriller film of the same name. Directed by Alex Provas, the movie is written by David J. Schow and John Shirley, based on James O’Barr’s 1989 “The Crow” comic book.
The plot centres on Draven, a poetic rock musician who is revived from the dead to avenge his murder and the death of his fiancée. It was said to be one of the cursed Hollywood movies as Brandon Lee was killed on set due to an accidental shooting.
Now that Huston has exited, Relativity Studios is eyeing Jack O’Connell and Nicholas Hoult, among others, as possible replacements.
Jack O’Connell is largely known for playing an angry, troubled youth. Having played the hard-living James Cook on the E4 teen series “Skins”, his breakthrough came when he gave critically-acclaimed performances in 2013’s “Starred Up” and 2014’s “’71”. He also won the BAFTA Rising Star Award for his role as war hero Louis Zamperini in his first major Hollywood picture, “Unbroken“.
Nicholas Hoult’s popularity soared higher than ever after portraying Nux, one of the war boys in George Miller’s latest summer blockbuster film “Mad Max: Fury Road“. He also starred alongside O’Connell in “Skins”, but his breakthrough came after portraying Marcus Brewer in “About a Boy”, Hank McCoy/Beast in “X-Men: First Class”, and “X-Men: Days of Future Past“. He also portrayed R in the 2013’s zombie rom-com, “Warm Bodies”.
The final casting decision must be made soon as Relativity Studios is looking to begin production on the film later this year. A source close to Relativity also told Variety that the studio is currently in negotiations to cast Forest Whitaker for an unspecified role. Whitaker joined the project this spring after Evans exited the production.
“Downton Abbey” star Jessica Brown Findlay will play Draven’s murdered girlfriend Shelly in flashbacks while “Birdman” star Andrea Riseborough will play the female version of the original villain, Top Dollar.
Are you upset that Huston has left the project? Who do you think should play Eric Draven? Let us know in the comments box below.
(Source: Variety)
