The Crow Reboot Banned Real Guns From Set

As a seasoned film enthusiast who has witnessed the highs and lows of Hollywood, I must say that Rupert Sanders’ reboot of The Crow is making all the right moves. The decision to ban real guns from the set is not only commendable but also a testament to the director’s commitment to safety, especially in light of recent tragic incidents like the one on the set of Rust.

As a film enthusiast who has witnessed numerous instances of gun violence both on and off-screen, I find it heartening to learn about the innovative approach taken by director Rupert Sanders in his reboot of “The Crow”. In an industry that often prioritizes action over safety, Sanders’ decision to ban real guns from the film set is a refreshing change.

“Safety is a number one priority,” Sanders said. “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.”

He added, “I made it clear, ‘Absolutely no real weapons on set,’ meaning there was never a single gun loaded with either live ammunition or blanks. No projectile could ever be launched from any of the guns, as they were all Airsoft replicas, some of which were just fake rubber or metal props without firing capabilities.”

It’s notable that only harmless guns were employed during the filming of The Crow, for several reasons. Firstly, this decision follows the 2021 set tragedy on Rust where cinematographer Halyna Hutchins lost her life due to a shooting incident. Secondly, The Crow has had a somber relationship with firearms in its history. During the making of the 1994 version, lead actor Brandon Lee tragically passed away after an accidental gunshot on set. Sanders emphasized that although using Airsoft weapons instead of real ones is pricier, he believes it’s a cost worth bearing.

He mentioned that one appealing aspect of Airsoft is that the slide on a Glock can still recoil, however, a shell casing needs to be added afterward. He further noted that adding muzzle flash and smoke was costly but justified. It took a significant chunk out of his minimal visual effects budget, yet he considered it worthwhile. The visual effects in this film were primarily practical, with extensive location shooting and set extensions. Since the budget for visual effects wasn’t vast, careful decisions had to be made about where to allocate resources. To him, spending on these elements was a valuable investment for everyone’s safety and comfort during the project.

What is The Crow About?

As a gamer, I’d rephrase it like this: “According to the storyline, my characters Eric (Bill Skarsgård) and Shelly (FKA twigs) meet a tragic end when the shadows of her haunted past track them down. If granted the opportunity to rescue my beloved Shelly, Eric embarks on a vengeful journey, navigating realms of life and death to set things right and exact retribution upon their murderers.”

In the upcoming movie titled “The Crow” (2024), Josette Simon, who played a role in “Anatomy of a Scandal,” joins the cast alongside Sami Bouajila as the character Kronos’ spirit, Isabella Wei, and Jordan Bolger. The film is helmed by director Rupert Sanders and boasts a script by Zach Baylin, who has worked on films like “King Richard,” “Creed III,” and “Bob Marley: One Love.” Additionally, newcomer William Schneider is also involved in the project. This cinematic adaptation is based on the comic of the same name that was created by James O’Barr.

The Crow opens in theaters August 23rd.

2024-08-21 01:10

What is The Crow About?

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