The spotlight was on Bill Skarsgård, FKA Twigs, and director Rupert Sanders as they celebrated the world premiere of The Crow at Village East by Angelika in New York City on Tuesday, August 20. This latest adaptation of the classic 1994 film, originally headlined by the late Brandon Lee, has been a topic of considerable anticipation.
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Skarsgård, 34, candidly described stepping into Lee’s role of Eric Draven as a “daunting” challenge. Acknowledging the legacy of Lee’s performance, Skarsgård remarked, “Although I’m part of this 2024 version, I am not the first to take on this role, as there have been previous adaptations in both film and television.”
Reflecting on Lee’s impact, Skarsgård added, “Brandon’s performance was iconic, and the circumstances surrounding him were tragic. My approach to this role was to treat it with the same dedication as any other project—focusing on the story and how best to honor it.”
He further emphasized that the new version of The Crow diverges significantly from its predecessor. “We were not aiming to remake the original film, and that was never our goal,” Skarsgård explained. “The original movie and Brandon’s performance are iconic and should remain untouched. We sought to create something distinctly different, and I’m pleased with the unique direction we took.”
This fresh take on The Crow promises a distinct experience while respecting the legacy of its original portrayal.