The Crow flies again with 28 Weeks Later director

The Crow flies again with 28 Weeks Later director The 1994 gothic action shoot-em-up The Crow is the latest film to be considered worthy of a reboot, as it was announced that 28 Weeks Later director Juan Fresnadillo will take the reins for a forthcoming remake.

The original Crow, based on a comic book by James O'Barr, featured Brandon Lee as a musician called Eric Draven, who rises from the dead to avenge his own murder, and that of his fiancee. The film became notorious when Lee died on set after a prop gun malfunctioned.

The Crow became a cult hit, making $50m at the US box office, and spawned three sequels, The Crow: City of Angels, The Crow: Salvation, and The Crow: Wicked Prayer, as well as a TV series starring Mark Dacascos.

Hollywood production outfit Relativity Media is behind the new film, partnering with original producers Edward R Pressman and Jeff Most, among others. A spokesman for Relativity told Variety: "We are thrilled to have [Fresnadillo] at the helm ... on what we all believe will be a compelling and innovative reimagining of The Crow."

Pressman said: "The original Crow was groundbreaking cinema; its gothic visual and musical ideas influenced a generation and cinema itself ... we have every confidence that this new Crow will have a similar impact."

This article was written by Andrew Pulver, for guardian.co.uk on Friday 8th April 2011 10.57 Europe/London