Image source: IGN
As comics continue to make the leap to the big screen, Spawn has once again joined the trend.
Although there was a movie more than two decades ago, Image’s beloved comic book superhero/antihero is getting a reboot.
The project recently received its latest announcement on Twitter.
The announcement
Creator and artist Todd McFarlane shared the great news Thursday that Spawn’s film has three writers on board: Malcolm Spellman, Scott Silver, and Mathew Mixon.
Malcolm Spellman helped write the Marvel series The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, while Scott Silver contributed to the gritty Joker movie in 2019.
While not much is known about Spawn’s reboot, actor Jamie Foxx is associated with the project as Al Simmons/Spawn.
However, a director has not yet been found and the full cast has not yet been announced.
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Spellman’s enthusiasm for the project
Malcolm Spellman shared his excitement to get started on the project, saying:
“I grew up in Berkeley, which is a comic book city,” he started.
“Todd McFarlane’s Spawn character was always one of my favorites — a Black superhero that was no bullshit, he was cool and dealt with modern issues.”
“Myself, Matt Mixon, and Scott Silver are pledged to honoring what Todd started and what Spawn is at its core, delivering something that’s relevant and edgy and unlike any other superhero movie out there.”
The long wait
A Spawn movie was released in 1997 with Michael Jai White and John Leguizamo, but was panned by critics.
While the film’s reception wasn’t great, a sequel was in the works.
However, it has made no progress.
Since then, fans have been waiting for Spawn’s return to the screens for years as McFarlane teased a film adaptation.
Over the years, he kept assuring them that Al Simmons would be back.
“We’ve had some announcements of people who are attached to it, but not all of them,” explained McFarlane.
“We just wanna hold a little bit longer until we’re a little bit closer to the final script that we’re going to be selling out in Hollywood, so the buzz will be big.”
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Todd McFarlane
Creator Todd McFarlane has been sympathizing with frustrated fans eager to get a formal announcement for years.
Despite their frustrations, he kept quiet about the Spawn project, saying:
“I know when people don’t get concrete names and information and stuff, and when I have to say, ‘Stuff’s happening. Just wait,’ that’s not a very satisfying answer.”
“And that’s what’s frustrating, because I know that it’s way more than that happening.”
While fans expected McFarlane to share new details at San Diego Comic-Con this year, he explained that the plan was changing.
Spawn’s creative team held talks to reveal key details during the event, but decided to save it for New York Comic-Con 2022.
Meanwhile, Jamie Foxx shared that production has yet to begin but has seen early concept art for the suit that will be used in the film.
“I’ve seen a lot of concepts,” he said.
“Because Todd, what he does it, every single day he’s doodling and he’s fixing and he’s doing some things that, to me, I think is gonna be like way out when you see it.”
Reference:
Todd McFarlane’s Spawn film taps Joker, Falcon and Winter Soldier writers