The 2024 adaptation of The Crow franchise came back to life with a new adaptation of James O’Barr’s comic book series of the same name. Directed by Rupert Sanders, The Crow stars Bill Skarsgård as Eric and FKA Twigs as Shelly, and though it kept the same concepts and basic premise of the comic books and Alex Proyas’ 1994 movie, it also made a lot of changes.

The Crow introduces viewers to Eric, who meets Shelly at a rehab center. Eric and Shelly fall in love and escape the center as Shelly is being pursued by dangerous people. Unfortunately, these people catch up with them and kill them, but Eric is given the chance to return to the land of the living to avenge his and Shelly’s death. For that, Eric is granted the ability to heal from every wound and is helped out by a crow. The Crow was inevitably compared to the 1994 version, and one connection to it could have saved this new adaptation.

Chad Stahelski Could Have Made The Crow Reboot Great

Chad Stahelski Has Excelled As An Action Director

As entertaining as it is, it can’t be denied that the 2024 adaptation of The Crow has its flaws. Among the many weaknesses critics pointed out in The Crow are its pace, the lack of chemistry between Skarsgård and Twigs (though others praised their connection), its graphic and violent scenes, and the unnecessary changes to the main characters, mostly the villain, who was made supernatural. While the problems of the latest adaptation of The Crow go all the way to its pre-production process, one connection to the 1994 version could have made it great: Chad Stahelski.

Stahelski has directed all three John Wick sequels.

Chad Stahelski began his career in film as a stuntman, gaining recognition for his work as a stunt performer and coordinator in action movies, most notably The Matrix, where he served as Keanu Reeves’ stunt double. In 2014, Stahelski made a slight career change and made his directorial debut with John Wick, which he co-directed with David Leitch. Since then, Stahelski has directed all three John Wick sequels and served as producer in the spinoff movie From the World of John Wick: Ballerina.

Stahelski has quickly become one of the best and most popular directors in the action genre, and his background as a stunt performer and coordinator has been key to the incredible action scenes in his movies. With all this in mind, Stahelski would have been the perfect choice to direct the new adaptation of The Crow, more so after his direct connection to the 1994 movie, thanks to which he would have surely approached the project with some reverence for Brandon Lee and Proyas’ movie.

Chad Stahelski's Connection To Brandon Lee's The Crow Explained

Chad Stahelski Was Key To The Completion Of The Crow

Chad Stahelski has a direct connection to Brandon Lee and The Crow as he was part of the 1994 movie. Stahelski was Lee’s stunt double, and he was key to completing the movie after Lee’s death. While shooting the scene where Lee’s Eric Draven is shot after witnessing the beating and sexual assault of Shelly at their apartment, the gun used as a prop, which was actually a real revolver, was loaded with improperly made dummy rounds. Lee was fatally shot, and the producers had to make a decision: finish the movie or leave it incomplete.

The producers ultimately decided to finish The Crow and some scenes had to be rewritten. Stahelski was used as a stand-in in the scenes needed to finish the movie, and digital face replacement was used to superimpose Lee’s face onto the head of the double. Stahelski knows well what making The Crow was like, and he could have brought a unique insight into the 2024 adaptation.

Chad Stahelski Should Direct The Next The Crow Movie Now

Chad Stahelski Could Still Return To The World Of The Crow

Alex Proyas’ 1994 adaptation of The Crow ended up creating a movie series, even if its sequels aren’t well-ed and didn’t come close to its quality and success. Unfortunately, given its poor performance with critics and general audiences, the 2024 adaptation of The Crow won’t get a sequel, but it wouldn’t be surprising if there’s a remake or another adaptation of O’Barr’s comic books in a not-so-distant future. If it happens, Chad Stahelski would be the perfect choice to direct it, and it could be the remake or adaptation that truly honors the legacy of Brandon Lee’s version.