Tattoo Artist Shares Insights on Bill Skarsgård’s Unique ‘The Crow’ Take

The recent remake of The Crow, starring Bill Skarsgård, is now showing in movie theaters. The journey to find a new iteration of the character, originally portrayed by Brandon Lee in the iconic 1994 film, involved numerous talents, including tattoo artist Nikola Prijic.

While initial reactions to Skarsgård’s appearance as The Crow drew significant attention, Prijic, in an interview, emphasized that Rupert Sanders’ film offers a completely distinct take on the Intellectual Property (IP). It’s clear that Sanders’ vision draws heavily from the original comic book series.

Prijic elaborated on the process of creating temporary tattoos for the film, expressed his optimism regarding the fans’ reception, and highlighted the uniqueness of this new interpretation.

Prijic shared his journey, starting with creating tattoos for movies, TV shows, and theater plays in Belgrade, Serbia. Serbia emerged as a popular filming location for foreign productions about ten years ago, opening up opportunities for Prijic. He first collaborated with makeup artist Daniel Parker on the film Coriolanus and later formed a specialized company for realistic temporary tattoos used in films and TV shows. This partnership led to his involvement in The Crow.

When asked about his personal connection to The Crow franchise, Prijic mentioned that he was quite young when the original film gained popularity. However, he acknowledged the film’s dedicated fanbase and indicated that the new movie is a distinct vision from director Rupert Sanders, heavily inspired by the comic book rather than the original film.

Prijic encouraged fans to approach the movie with an open heart, emphasizing that it’s not merely a remake but Sanders’ unique interpretation of the storyline. Fans familiar with the comic book might notice specific scenes aligned with the original artwork.

Discussing Skarsgård’s look in the movie, Prijic noted that Sanders aimed to create a contemporary version of Eric Draven, inspired by modern rappers with facial tattoos, such as Lil Wayne. This creative decision aimed to resonate with today’s youth, as showcased by the character’s eclectic and homemade-style tattoos.

One interesting detail provided by Skarsgård was the addition of a poem by H.P. Lovecraft as a tattoo on his back. This addition came from Skarsgård’s personal request and exemplified his involvement in the character’s look. There were also smaller, personal tattoos, including the zip code of his hometown in Sweden.

Prijic revealed the collaborative nature of the project, with significant input from Skarsgård during the pre-shooting phase. This collaboration helped ensure the tattoos matched the character’s troubled background, featuring poorly done tattoos indicative of a rough upbringing.

The process of applying temporary tattoos involves a method similar to childhood festival tattoos but with advanced techniques to ensure they appear realistic and last through rigorous shooting schedules. Prijic mentioned that some tattoos could last for a few days, while others, particularly those on the hands, required more frequent touch-ups.

To ensure consistency, fittings and photos were taken beforehand, serving as references during filming. Using temporary tattoos saved considerable time compared to redrawing them daily, making the actors’ experience more manageable.

Prijic admitted he had not yet seen the complete film and was looking forward to its premiere. He expressed pride in the designs created, including some raw and crude stick-and-poke style tattoos, emblematic of the character’s artistic expression.

Addressing fans, Prijic hoped they would appreciate the new vision and the love story at its core. He praised Bill Skarsgård’s professionalism and shared his anticipation for FKA Twigs’ debut acting role. With everything he has seen so far, Prijic is confident that the film will be well-received.

The Crow is in theaters now.

Source: ClutchPoints