Warner Bros and DC are reportedly searching for a Black director to take the helm for the nextSupermanmovie. Recently, it was announced that acclaimed writer Ta-Nehisi Coates would be penning the script, with JJ Abrams attached to produce. Now, it looks like Warner Bros is trying to find an appropriate director and leading man for the role of what is likely to be the first live-action Black Superman.
With Coates writing the script, it seemed clear that Warner Bros. was planning aSupermanmovie featuring a Black actor in the role ofthe Man of Steel. Coates is famous for writing extensively on the subject of race in America, as well as penning the acclaimedBlack PantherMarvel Comics series, which served as inspiration for the Chadwick Boseman movie. Now it seems that Warner Bros. is trying to narrow down the list of directors, which may put them in further conflict with their longtime competitor: Marvel Studios.
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According to the Hollywood Reporter, Abrams is not being considered for the role of director, despite his resume. Instead, theForce Awakensdirector will serve as a producer and is apparently being given quite a lot of influence over several upcoming DC projects. Perhaps with Zack Snyder out, Warner Bros. is looking to fill that void with Abrams, solidifying him as the DC equivalent of Kevin Feige. Something that DC has struggled with in recent years is creating a cohesive movie universe in the same vein as Marvel. However, the future of the DCEU is unclear, as this new movie does imply thatHenry Cavill’s version of Supermanwill be retired, but actors like Gal Gagot, Jason Momoa, and Ezra Miller are still set to reprise their DC superhero roles in upcoming projects. Perhaps with the inevitable exploration of the multiverse in the upcomingFlashmovie, DC will take advantage and experiment with different ideas set in alternate worlds and timelines, in the vein of Todd Phillips’Jokerand the upcoming Matt Reeves/Robert PattinsonTheBatmanreboot.
Marvel is also looking to tap an accomplished Black director for theirupcomingBlademovie. While that film is also in the early stages of development, it does already have a leading man and a screenwriter attached. Mahershala Ali is set to play the half-vampire/half-human sword-wielding character made famous by Wesley Snipes, with HBO’sWatchmenwriter Stacy Osei-Kuffour writing the script. Marvel is supposedly combing through the same list of directors as Warner Bros. to helm their vampire movie. It’s unclear who exactly is on that list, but some likely choices includeMoonlightdirector Barry Jenkins, Steven Caple Jr. ofCreed II,One Night In Maimidirector Regina King, and Shaka King, who has seen recent acclaim for his Oscar-winning filmJudas and the Black Messiah.Other names being floated include Ryan Coogler, but considering his current commitment to theupcomingBlack PanthersequeltitledWakanda Forever,it’s unlikely he’ll make the cut for either film.
The move towards a Black Superman is part of a continued effort by Warner Bros. to focus their upcoming superhero films around diversity and inclusion. Thestudio is currently developing aBlueBeetlemoviefocused on a Latino lead and The CW’s Arrowverse will be introducing its second Black female superhero series with Ava DuVernay’sNaomi.The script forSupermanexpected to be done by December andBladescheduled for a 2022 release.
No casting is confirmed forSuperman,but actor Michael B. Jordan has been rumored to be in talks for the role for a while now. However, he seems to have shut down those rumors in a recent interview.
In the meantime, you may check out the otherSupermanmovies on HBO max.
