The DC Cinematic Universe has found itself in an interesting place. With Warner Brothers starting to accept more anthology installments, a shared universe future seems bleak. Successful solo outings from 2019’s Joker and Shazam caught WB’s attention. With Matt Reeve’s upcoming Batman portrayal stepping outside of their shared universe, the next Superman film will also break the norm. The film was knowingly going to be different from any other Superman interpretation. Now, fans fully understand why that’s possible. The Hollywood Reporter announced Warner Brothers current search for a more diverse Superman story. After Ta-Nehisi Coates signed on to write the feature film, WB is now looking for a black director and actor to serve as the first Black Superman on film.
Insiders say Warners and DC are committed to hiring a Black director to tackle what will be the first cinematic incarnation of a Black Superman. Directors Barry Jenkins, Steven Caple Jr., J.D. Dillard, Regina King and Shaka King are all possibilities https://t.co/WvWjAwIgCm
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) May 5, 2021
What Would a Black Superman Film Be Like?
The concept of a more diverse Superman story is not without precedent. The comics first introduced the characterization of a black Superman with Calvin Ellis in 2009 after Final Crisis. This Superman was modeled after the 44th United States President and esteemed boxer Muhammad Ali. While the details of what a film interpretation would look like for a Black Superman, it seems that WB wants to keep the origins the same.
With the film’s overall plot and structure still in development, we can anticipate more details to trickle throughout the next few years. In contrast, it might still be too early to speculate a release date considering the superhero backlog of films yet to release. It’s clear the success that DC has had in recent memory for stories that break the mold and tell a different side. With so many iterations of Superman already, it seems only right for WB to change the formula.
