When people talk about cursed movies, The Crow (1994) almost always comes up. It’s remembered as a dark, stylish film that turned into a tragedy because of what happened to its star — Brandon Lee, son of martial arts legend Bruce Lee.

So, what really happened to Brandon Lee during the making of The Crow?

The Accident on Set

On March 31, 1993, while filming a scene in Wilmington, North Carolina, Brandon Lee was shot with a prop gun that should have been safe.

Here’s how it went wrong:

• A real revolver was used for close-up shots earlier in filming, and dummy rounds (with bullets but no gunpowder) had been prepared. One of those bullets accidentally left a fragment — the tip of a bullet — lodged in the barrel.
• Later, when the gun was loaded with blanks (which have gunpowder but no bullet), the blank fired that fragment like a real bullet.
• Tragically, the projectile struck Lee in the abdomen.

Despite being rushed to the hospital and undergoing hours of surgery, Brandon Lee died at just 28 years old.

The Fallout

The incident was ruled an accident caused by negligence with prop weapon safety. It led to lawsuits, investigations, and tighter calls for gun safety on sets.

The tragedy also drew eerie parallels to Bruce Lee’s own early death at 32, fueling talk of a “Lee family curse.”

Finishing The Crow

Even after his death, the decision was made to complete The Crow. Brandon had filmed most of his scenes, and the production used body doubles and early CGI to finish the rest.

When it was released in 1994, the movie was a critical and cult success — but it will always carry the shadow of Brandon’s death.

Final Thought

So, what happened to Brandon Lee during The Crow?

A preventable accident with a prop gun ended the life of a rising star who was just about to break out of his father’s shadow. Instead of a launchpad, the film became his memorial.

And that’s why The Crow still feels so haunting today — not just for its gothic style, but because every frame carries the weight of a story cut tragically short.

Sam