Regardless of James Gunn making his personal Superman movie amidst a complete shift within the DC Universe, DC’s Black Superman film continues to be within the works. Nevertheless, it gained’t be a part of the mainline DC Universe.
Chatting with io9, filmmaker and co-CEO of DC Studios James Gunn was requested concerning the Black Superman film. The undertaking is claimed to be coming from author Ta-Nehisi Coates and producer J.J. Abrams. In response to Gunn, nevertheless, the undertaking isn’t associated in any respect to his upcoming Superman: Legacy. Relying on how the script seems to be, he says, the movie may nonetheless occur as an Elseworlds undertaking.
“These two issues are completely unrelated,” Gunn mentioned. “That’s an thrilling film. I do know that Chantal Nong, who’s the chief on that undertaking, is extraordinarily enthusiastic about it. So if it is available in and it’s nice, which I haven’t learn the script, and if the timing is correct, that might completely occur. That’s completely unrelated. It could be an Elseworlds story like Joker.”
What’s DC’s Elseworlds?
For these unaware, Elseworlds was a DC Comics publication imprint that centered on tales that occurred exterior of the primary continuity. This allowed for extra artistic storytelling, and led to a few of DC’s largest and most well-known tales ever – together with 1996’s beloved Kingdom Come.
When Gunn and Peter Safran took over as heads of DC Studios and revealed their slate of movies in January, the pair mentioned movies that don’t match into the shared DC Universe shall be categorised as “Elseworlds” initiatives. These embody issues like Joker and its follow-up Folie à Deux, plus The Batman and its future sequel.
A report by The Hollywood Reporter says that the intention is for a Black Superman to be launched in a film that doesn’t happen within the DC Prolonged Universe. In reality, Coates is claimed to have been impressed by the unique comics. Coates’ protagonist will “hail from Krypton and are available to Earth,” and it might be a “twentieth century interval piece.” DC has beforehand had a Black Superman named Calvin Ellis, however it’s unknown if that identify shall be used right here.
One actor that has been floated round by followers is Creed star Michael B. Jordan. In reality, a Black Superman movie was an concept that Jordan tried to pitch to the studio in 2019, however by no means got here to fruition. With it now in manufacturing, this might see Jordan get to star within the upcoming blockbuster. Nevertheless, when talking with ET earlier this yr, the actor revealed he hasn’t heard something of the type to this point.
“To be invited into the DC Prolonged Universe by Warner Bros., DC Movies and Unhealthy Robotic is an honor,” mentioned Coates concerning the upcoming movie when it was first introduced. “I look ahead to meaningfully including to the legacy of America’s most iconic mythic hero.”
Whereas J.J. Abrams mentioned, “There’s a new, highly effective and shifting Superman story but to be informed. We couldn’t be extra thrilled to be working with the good Mr. Coates to assist convey that story to the large display screen, and we’re past grateful to the workforce at Warner Bros. for the chance.”