Relativity Media has offered Mark Wahlberg the leading role in the upcoming remake of the 1994 film The Crow, based on James O’Barr’s iconic comic series of the same name. Bloody Disgusting reports that he will be playing Eric Draven, a murdered man who rises from the dead to avenge the one who murdered him and his fiancée. Brandon Lee originated this role and sadly died during the making of the film.
The original film topped the box office with an $11.7 million take and impressed the critics. Could this remake inherit similar success?
In the box office realm, the sky’s the limit with a marketable actor like Wahlberg in the leading role. His latest feature, the action-comedy The Other Guys, has grossed $118.2 million dollars so far.
The quality of the film could be in danger, however: Bloody Disgusting reports that Nick Cave and Stephen Norrington are rewriting a script for the film. Remakes have already begun to be maligned, and neither Cave nor Norrington have produced much acclaimed work.
On the topic of acting, Wahlberg, who can be seen in David O. Russell’s upcoming film The Fighter, is certainly no stranger to films with an emphasis on action. Previous credits for the actor include Max Payne, Shooter, The Italian Job, and The Departed, for which he received an Oscar nomination.
Wahlberg's acclaim and industry survival aside, Draven is a character that requires a certain kind of presence, for its actor to really get into character, if you will. Unfortunately, Wahlberg has yet to truly sink into a character, and he may not just possess the ability to do so. The idea for the Saturday Night Live sketch “Mark Wahlberg Talks to Animals” had to come from somewhere, right?
As of now, Wahlberg has neither accepted nor denied the role. The film is currently being eyed for a release next year, so stay tuned for further updates on the remake of The Crow.
