Westeins, Relativity settle 'The Crow' lawsuit

The lawsuit between The Weinstein Co. and Relativity over "The Crow" remake has been settled and the companies will work together on the production

The companies released the following statement: "The lawsuit between Relativity Media and The Weinstein Company concerning THE CROW has been amicably settled out of court, and the parties will continue to work on the film together as planned. In addition, Relativity Media has dismissed all of its claims against The Weinstein Company for any wrongdoing regarding the release and distribution of NINE, and The Weinstein Company has dismissed all of its claims against Relativity Media."

The original film hit theaters in 1994.

The Weinstein Co. sued Relativity in April, claiming the company broke an existing contract between the two over the exclusive worldwide distribution rights of the film.

According to the suit, the Weinsteins claim that Relativity owner Ryan Kavanaugh "decided that Relativity would not perform that contract and will purport to sell TWC's distribution rights to others here and overseas in willful breach of the contract."

Relativity in turn rejected the suit and claimed the Weinsteins failed to uphold their distribution agreement for 2009's "Nine," which was partially financed by Relativity.

A remake of the 1994 original, "The Crow" will be a "gritty reboot of the gothic iconic character Eric Draven, who returns from the grave as The Crow on a mission to avenge his wife’s murder, so that his soul can finally rest."

"Watchmen" scribe Alex Tse was pegged to write the screenplay. Actor Bradley Cooper was at one pointed attached to play Draven, but has since pulled out of the project. The role was famously played by Brandon Lee, who was killed by an on-set accident.

Bradley Cooper flying away from 'The Crow'

Relativity Media's remake of "The Crows" has hit another snag with star Bradley Cooper ("Limitless") flying the coop.

Bradley Cooper

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Cooper, who joined the project in June, is leaving due to scheduling conflicts. The actor is instead set to film "Paradise Lost" in early 2012.

The Reporter continued that actors Channing Tatum ("G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra") and Mark Wahlberg ("The Departed") are possible replacements.

Directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo ("28 Weeks Later"), "The Crow" adaptation will be a "gritty reboot of the gothic iconic character Eric Draven, who returns from the grave as The Crow on a mission to avenge his wife’s murder, so that his soul can finally rest."

Screenwriter Alex Tse ("Watchmen") is also attached.

Even before Cooper was confirmed back in June, the project had sparked a back-and-forth round of litigation between Relativity and The Weinstein Company.

Relativity and Edward R. Pressman Film Corporation will be teaming with Spain-based Apaches Entertainment on the production. "The Crow" is being produced by Edward R. Pressman, Jeff Most, Relativity’s CEO Ryan Kavanaugh, and Apaches’ Enrique López Lavigne and Belén Atienza. Relativity’s Tucker Tooley ("The Fighter") and Apaches’ Jesus de la Vega will serve as executive producers. José Ibáñez and Pressman Film Corporation’s Jon Katz will serve as co-producers.

Watchmen scribe to write 'The Crow'; Bradley Cooper confirmed for lead

While Relativity Media's planned remake of "The Crow" has already sparked litigation, the project continues to move forward with screenwriter Alex Tse now being tapped to write the script.

Bradley Cooper

Relativity Media President of Worldwide Production Tucker Tooley and Edward R. Pressman, producer behind the "The Crow" franchise, announced today they have attached Tse ("Watchmen").

Directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo ("28 Weeks Later"), "The Crow" adaptation will be a "gritty reboot of the gothic iconic character Eric Draven, who returns from the grave as The Crow on a mission to avenge his wife’s murder, so that his soul can finally rest."

The pair also announced today that Bradley Cooper ("Limitless"), who had been in talks, is now attached to star as Draven.

"The original film is known for its breakthrough visual style as well as its unique production design and cinematography," the studio said in a release. "Fresnadillo and Tse are perfectly suited to bring these beloved characters back to life, and to create a world worthy of this modern classic."

Relativity and Edward R. Pressman Film Corporation will be teaming with Spain-based Apaches Entertainment on the production. The Crow is being produced by Edward R. Pressman, Jeff Most, Relativity’s CEO Ryan Kavanaugh, and Apaches’ Enrique López Lavigne and Belén Atienza. Relativity’s Tooley (The Fighter) and Apaches’ Jesus de la Vega will serve as executive producers. José Ibáñez and Pressman Film Corporation’s Jon Katz will serve as co-producers.