To the leadership at Paramount Pictures and Miramax Films, including:

Brian Robbins (President and CEO, Paramount)

Marc Weinstock (President, Worldwide Marketing & Distribution, Paramount)
Emma Watts (President, Motion Picture Group, Paramount)

Jonathan Glickman (CEO, Miramax Films)

Alexandra Loewy (President, Film, Miramax Films)

Nasser Al-Khelaifi (Chairman, Miramax Films)

We, the undersigned fans and champions of The Crow franchise, are writing to express our strong support for the release of the extended director’s cut of The Crow: City of Angels, a version that reflects the original vision of legendary filmmaker Tim Pope.

Since its release in 1996, The Crow: City of Angels has gained a passionate cult following. Over the years, fans have learned that the original vision of director Tim Pope was significantly altered in post-production, with entire scenes cut, the story restructured, and the film’s tone changed. Both Tim Pope and James O’Barr, creator of The Crow, have publicly expressed interest in restoring and releasing the director’s original version, which was intended to be truer to the spirit of the franchise.

The Crow’s cultural impact goes well beyond its box office run. The original film became a cornerstone of alternative cinema in the ’90s, and City of Angels continues to draw loyal audiences at midnight screenings, genre film festivals, and conventions. Its influence is still felt in fashion, music, and gothic subculture. Restoring Tim Pope’s cut wouldn’t just honor an auteur’s intent, it would energize a devoted, multi-generational fanbase that has kept the franchise alive for nearly 30 years. It’s no surprise that the series’ return in 2024’s The Crow was met with such passionate anticipation.

Beyond its artistic merit, the release of “The Pope Cut” is a sound strategic investment. A restored cut would serve as high-value content for streaming platforms, where exclusive material drives engagement, retention, and new subscriptions. It would also present a prime opportunity for physical re-release in the form of a collector’s edition, which is an increasingly lucrative market among cinephiles and die-hard fans. Globally, The Crow brand remains a valuable asset; a reappraisal of this key installment would invite media coverage, fan discourse, and renewed merchandise/licensing activity. 

We respectfully urge Miramax Films and Paramount Pictures to assess the availability of Tim Pope’s original extended cut of The Crow: City of Angels, collaborate with Mr. Pope to prepare the film for release, and to distribute the restored version digitally, physically, or through streaming as part of the property’s historical arc.

This request is made out of deep love for the film and for the franchise that continues to captivate audiences with its unique blend of supernatural revenge and gothic mystique. We believe a release of "The Pope Cut" would be embraced not only by devoted fans, but by a new generation eager to experience the origins of The Crow as it exists today.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned