Warner Bros. Reportedly Courting A Black Director To Helm Ta-Nehisi Coates’ Superman Movie

A few months ago, it was revealed that Warner Bros. had tapped Between the World and Me writer Ta Nehisi Coates to pen the screenplay for a new, fresh spin on a classic hero. With J.J. Abrams on board to produce, the Coates will write the studio’s upcoming installment on the iconic Superman franchise. According to a new report by The Hollywood Reporter, Warner Bros is looking to hire a Black director to helm the film once the script is complete.

Additionally, it appears the film will see the live-action debut of a Black Superman. Per the initial report, directors Barry Jenkins, Steven Caple Jr., J.D. Dillard, Regina King, and Shaka King are all possibilities are all in running to direct the feature. Since the news first dropped, many have assumed the new version of Superman would be Black with social media users immediately fan-casting Michael B. Jordan in the role. However, it appears the studio is looking to cast a relatively unknown actor to star in the film.

Moreover, it sounds like the film will live in its own universe, separate from the established DCEU. Sources close to the story claim that Coates is penning a story that follows Kal-El in the vein of the original Superman source material. Coates’ version of the character will also hail from Krypton and venture to Earth as a child. Additionally, the story is being developed as a period piece and could potentially take place sometime in the 20th century. In DC Comics, a Black character named Calvin Ellis is also a Kryptonian name Kalel. Ellis serves as Superman as well as the president of the United States on a different Earth in the Multiverse.

READ: ‘Between the World and Me’ Review: “Finding A Way To Live Within The All Of It”

The news stems from a year filled with allegations of racism from Justice League star Ray Fisher. The actor has been amidst an investigation hoping to hold the likes of Geoff Johns, Walter Hamada, and Joss Whedon accountable for their racist antince during the production of the 2017 film.

This will be the first Superman solo film since 2013’s Man of Steel. Since then, the character has appeared in 2016’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and 2017’s Justice League portrayed by Henry Cavill. The character currently stars in the CW’s Arrowverse series Superman & Lois, with Tyler Hoechlin donning the classic red cape.

Are you excited about a new Superman feature film? Who would you like to see play the character? Let us know in the comments below!

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