Well, why not? Hollywood Reporter writer Borys Kit is reporting that Warner Bros. is developing a new Superman movie with J.J. Abrams on board as producer via his Bad Robot label.
Black Panther comic writer Ta-Nehisi Coates is penning the script.
“There is a new, powerful and moving Superman story yet to be told. We couldn’t be more thrilled to be working with the brilliant Mr. Coates to help bring that story to the big screen, and we’re beyond thankful to the team at Warner Bros. for the opportunity,” said Abrams in a statement.
To be sure, this is not a film about John Henry Irons whose alter ego is Steel. This was also the source of a terrible 1997 Shaquille O’Neal film by the same name.
In addition to his Marvel work, the 45-year-old Coates is a former national correspondent for The Atlantic. He is the author of The Beautiful Struggle, Between the World and Me, We Were Eight Years in Power, and The Water Dancer.
TV REVIEW: This grounded Superman soars
“To be invited into the DC Extended Universe by Warner Bros., DC Films and Bad Robot is an honor,” said the writer. “I look forward to meaningfully adding to the legacy of America’s most iconic mythic hero.”
Michael B. Jordan tried to develop a Black Superman project when he first arrived to the studio with his deal in 2019 but that did not go very far at the time, according to sources. It is possible that the studio could return to him to star down the line.
Most fans really want to see Cavill reprise the role, as it is generally felt that he was robbed of a Man of Steel sequel, but it sounds like Abrams and the studio are looking to take the iconic hero in an entirely new direction, so they might well recast.
Whether this Man of Steel would replace Cavill’s as the main DCEU Superman or exist in a separate “Elseworld” reality like Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker remains to be seen.
There is actually a Black Superman who resides on Earth-23. And his name is Calvin Ellis.
The character, created by Grant Morrison as an homage to Barack Obama, first appeared in Final Crisis #7 as an African-American version of Superman who is the President of the United States as President Calvin Ellis (Kalel).
Like Clark, he escaped Krypton’s destruction as a baby and was raised by human parents on Earth.
Nominate Someone You know For The Reel Black List OR Reel Women
President of Tristar Pictures, Hannah Minghella will produce. What do you think of the possibility of a Black Superman? Voice your opinion below.
