Black Superman Movie Still Happening
J.J. Abrams and Ta-Neshi Coates Black Superman film is moving forward despite over DCU cancellations and shakeups.
Author and journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates, along with director J.J. Abrams, are still set to make Black Superman, a film announced last February. The story will take place outside of the main DC Universe, so big changes to the franchise will not affect it. This comes as good news on the heels of a report in The Hollywood Reporter about the newly-announced Superman film by J.J. Abrams and Peter Safran.
Last October, DC Studios announced that James Gunn and Peter Safran would become co-CEOs and co-chairmen of the company. Shortly after that, Gunn said on Twitter that Superman was the studio’s most important project. In the same statement, the director of Suicide Squad said that he wanted to put Henry Cavill in the main role.
According to initial reports, Gunn’s new film is not said to impact the new direction Coates and Abrams intend to take with Black Superman. We don’t know a lot about the upcoming movie’s plot, but some details have been confirmed.
No director has been announced, but the studio is not considering producer J.J. Abrams. DC is looking for a black director to bring this reimagining to life. The story of this black superhero needs to be told from a black perspective.
The script for Black Superman was announced in February 2021. It’s expected that Coares will finish the script before the new year. Abras and Coates have not announced any favorites for casting.
Black Panther actor Michael B. Jordan was suspected to be in the running, but he put those rumors to rest. Jordan was flattered to be associated with the exciting project but claims he’s not involved. Fans are just as curious about who will play the Man of Steel in the upcoming film by James Gunn.
Speculation about where Safran and Gunn intend to take the beloved franchise has spread since the project was announced. The first detail Gunn revealed was that Henry Cavill would be recast as the lead. Gunn’s vision is of a younger Clark Kent, necessitating the change in casting.
Actor Henry Cavill shared some honest thoughts while addressing the change. Cavill said he was sad to leave the role behind but accepted that passing the torch in representing an iconic character is necessary. The decision was a sad surprise to Cavill and his fans, but it makes sense for the franchise’s longevity.
Where Gunn and Safran are looking to delve deeper into Clark Kent’s past, Coates and Abrams are looking toward the character’s future. Black Superman may exist outside of the main DC Universe, but the distinction is a huge advantage.
Abrams and Coates are free to create a brand-new world for Superman fans. The project brings important representation to an iconic character and opens up a whole new world unbound by anywhere the character has been before.
Coates’ script brings meaningful change to the property, even with a new DC Universe Superman film in the works. There’s no comparison between the two films, as each has a unique audience and message. More information about Coates’ and Abrams’ Black Superman will be announced after the script is finished.
