How Brandon Lee emulated his father in life and death: celebrating Bruce Lee’s only son, tragically shot filming The Crow

Alec Baldwin is on trial for the accidental on-set shooting of Halyna Hutchins, a tragedy that sadly echoes the Hong Kong star’s death while filming his Hollywood breakout

Reading Time:5 minutes

As Hollywood swoops in with a remake of cult favourite The Crow, we revisit the career of Brandon Lee, an actor who emulated father Bruce in life and death; pictured here in 1986, eight years before his tragic accidental on-set shooting in The Crow. Photo: AFP

Published: 6:45am, 13 Jul 2024

When Brandon Lee came to the world’s attention in The Crow (1994), his first – and last – major American movie, he seemed to have arrived fully formed.

Directed by Alex Proyas and based on the comic books by James O’Barr, this gothic thriller saw Lee cast as revenant rocker Eric Draven, who comes back from the dead to take vengeance on the thugs who killed him and his girlfriend.

It was the perfect opportunity for Lee to escape the shadow of his father, Bruce, while showing off his film-star looks and furious physicality. Determined not to waste the chance, he gave the role everything he had, losing 9kg, learning to play the guitar, even drenching himself in ice for the crucial resurrection scene.

Brandon Lee in full costume for The Crow. Photo: Instagram/@brandonlee

Tragically, before shooting had finished, he was killed in an on-set firearms malfunction, which echoes the recent death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the Alec Baldwin film Rust.

The Crow was completed using digital trickery and Lee’s stunt double, Chad Stahelski, to finish his few remaining scenes. It became a worldwide smash hit, spawning three sequels and a television series.

After years in development, a reboot will hit cinemas on August 23, starring Bill Skarsgård and singer FKA twigs, and directed by Rupert Sanders. It’s already drawing unfavourable comparisons with the original.

Bill Skarsgard, left, and FKA Twigs pose for photographers upon arrival at the photo call for the remake of the The Crow, on June 25, 2024 in London. Photo: Invision/AP

The original was one of only six films made by Lee, if we include his cameo appearance in Swedish action spoof Sex, Lies and Video Violence (2000), released posthumously. Looking at them now, these early films are a reminder that legends aren’t born, but made.