Warner Bros and DC are reportedly searching for a Black director to take the helm for the next Superman movie. 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 a Superman movie featuring a Black actor in the role of the Man of Steel. Coates is famous for writing extensively on the subject of race in America, as well as penning the acclaimed Black Panther Marvel 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.
RELATED: Michael B. Jordan Addresses Whether Or Not He Will Play Superman
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Abrams is not being considered for the role of director, despite his resume. Instead, the Force Awakens director 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 that Henry Cavill's version of Superman will 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 upcoming Flash movie, DC will take advantage and experiment with different ideas set in alternate worlds and timelines, in the vein of Todd Phillips' Joker and the upcoming Matt Reeves/Robert Pattinson The Batman reboot.
Marvel is also looking to tap an accomplished Black director for their upcoming Blade movie. 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's Watchmen writer 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 include Moonlight director Barry Jenkins, Steven Caple Jr. of Creed II, One Night In Maimi director Regina King, and Shaka King, who has seen recent acclaim for his Oscar-winning film Judas and the Black Messiah. Other names being floated include Ryan Coogler, but considering his current commitment to the upcoming Black Panther sequel titled Wakanda 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. The studio is currently developing a Blue Beetle movie focused on a Latino lead and The CW’s Arrowverse will be introducing its second Black female superhero series with Ava DuVernay’s Naomi. The script for Superman expected to be done by December and Blade scheduled for a 2022 release.
No casting is confirmed for Superman, 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 can check out the other Superman movies on HBO max.
MORE: The New Superman Needs To Do This To Succeed
Source: The Hollywood Reporter