The Skull Cowboy was a major character cut from The Crow - here's how he played into the story. Despite the success of Tim Burton's Batman movies, the early 1990s was a strange time for comic book movies. It was a period that saw the release of Warren Beatty's Dick Tracy, The Guyver with Mark Hamill (Child's Play), and the 1990 Captain America movie. Hollywood was still reluctant to treat the genre seriously. One of the major highlights of this era was 1994's The Crow, which was based on the graphic novel of the same name. This gothic nightmare follows Eric Draven, a man who comes back to life one year after his murder to avenge himself and his fiancee.
With its stylized visuals and action sequences, amazing soundtrack and surprisingly deep themes, The Crow became a cult hit upon release. The movie is tragically also known for the death of leading man Brandon Lee after an accidental shooting on set. The movie was about a week from wrapping production when this accident occurred and the producers seriously considered shutting it down and leaving the movie unfinished. Director Alex Proyas eventually decided to finish The Crow as a tribute to the late star.
The Crow's story had to be reworked in the aftermath of Brandon Lee's passing, with the remainder of his scenes completed with a mix of stunt doubles and CGI. One major supporting character that was cut during this period was the Skull Cowboy, played by The Hills Have Eyes star Michael Berryman.
The Skull Cowboy would have appeared in a handful of scenes in The Crow, explaining to Eric he's been allowed to return to seek vengeance on his killers, but he's not allowed to interfere in the affairs of the living. In the final act when Eric's young friend Sarah has been kidnapped by villain Top Dollar (Michael Wincott, 24: Live Another Day) and taken hostage in a church, the Cowboy appears to warn him away. Eric's already killed those responsible for his murder. and the Cowboy suggests he himself was cursed to walk the Earth forever after disobeying the rules. Eric ignores him and the Cowboy disappears but strips Eric of his invulnerability.
The Skull Cowboy was cut partly because Brandon Lee hadn't completed all the scenes involving the character, and because Proyas ultimately felt he was cheesy. His main function was to deliver exposition but it was felt the audience understood most of the rules anyway. Sarah's opening narration explaining the function of the crow took the place of the Skull Cowboy's introduction, while Eric's vulnerability in the finale is explained by Top Dollar's henchman Grange (Tony Todd, Candyman) wounding Eric's crow, the source of his powers.
The Skull Cowboy would have made an intriguing addition to The Crow's mythology, but the movie doesn't really miss his presence either. If the long-awaited The Crow reboot ever happen, especially after Jason Momoa (Aquaman) walked away from the movie in 2018, maybe the Cowboy will get his time.