Fresnadillo ankles 'Crow' remake

By Adnan Tezer Oct 18, 2011, 19:17 GMT

Juan Carlos Fresnadillo has dropped out of directing Relativity Media and Apaches Entertainment's remake of the 1994 cult classic "The Crow."

According to Deadline.com, this comes after Fresnadillo ("28 Weeks Later") was attached to direct Summit Entertainment's reboot of "Highlander" a month ago.

Bradley Cooper was set to play the lead but had to back out because of scheduling conflicts.

Mark Wahlberg and Channing Tatum have been mentioned as possible replacements.

The original "Crow" producers Edward R. Pressman and Jeff Most are producing along with Relativity's Ryan Kavanaugh, and Apaches Entertainment's Enrique Lopez Lavigne and Belen Atienza.

An early 2012 production date had been planned but with Fresnadillo's departure along with no lead actor attached, that start date is almost certainly being pushed back.

Relativity is also in current litigation with The Weinstein Company over distribution rights to the film.

"The Crow" is based on a black and white comic book series by James O'Barr that centers on rock musician Eric Draven, who is murdered while trying to save his wife from thugs. He is supernaturally resurrected as "The Crow" and seeks to avenge her murder.

The 1994 original grossed $51 million domestically but was overshadowed by the accidental death of star Brandon Lee during filming.