Last week, we reported the strange rumor that Mark Wahlberg had been offered the lead role in the reboot/remake/re-prequel of The Crow. It was an odd choice considering the legacy of the film, but during an interview with Mania (via Aint It Cool), director Stephen Norrington claimed that he supported the offer, “if they take a gritty blue-collar approach.” Unfortunately, he means “they” because just moments before in the conversation, he revealed that he wouldn’t be involved. An unnamed star was attached to the project who dictated a re-write on the Norrington/Nick Cave script, and since Norrington signed on as a writer/director (with all the power that comes with), he exited the project (seemingly without much bombast). So the question now becomes: who will direct this thing after a year and a half of Norrington development?

It’s a cult classic in the exact meaning of the phrase, so it’ll probably upset more than a few diehards to know that Mark Wahlberg has been offered the lead role in the new film baring the Crow pedigree. Even though I’m not obsessed with the original, the idea of Goth Wahlberg doesn’t sound all that appealing. Isn’t pro wrestler Sting still around somewhere? He owes the franchise his livelihood. Nick Cave is busy with script duty (although his mustache could probably play the role all on its own), and Stephen Norrington is set to direct so it’s a toss up between the popcorn brilliance of Blade and the giant mess of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Either way, Wahlberg just isn’t right for this role. The Crow isn’t even from Boston. [Bloody D]

Variety is reporting that Norrington has signed on to write and direct a remake of The Crow, a film best known for the death of star Brandon Lee.