New Superman movie in development with JJ Abrams but may not feature Henry Cavill in the role UPDATED: Set to be ‘Black Superman story’

So, today we have the news we hoped was coming… but it may be a double-edged sword.

It has been revealed thatJJ Abrams is currently developing a new Superman movie – constant readers will know that this has been a rumour for a long time and, indeed, he was attached in 2002 to the horrendous sounding Superman: Flyby which was “an origin story that included Krypton besieged by a civil war between Jor-El and his corrupt brother, Kata-Zor. Before Kata-Zor sentences Jor-El to prison, Kal-El is launched to Earth to fulfill a prophecy. Adopted by Jonathan and Martha Kent, he forms a romance with Lois Lane in the Daily Planet. However, Lois is more concerned with exposing Lex Luthor, written as a government agent obsessed with UFO phenomena. Clark reveals himself to the world as Superman, bringing Kata-Zor’s son, Ty-Zor, and three other Kryptonians to Earth. Superman is defeated and killed, and visits Jor-El (who committed suicide on Krypton while in prison) in Kryptonian heaven. Resurrected, he returns to Earth and defeats the four Kryptonians, while the script ends with Superman off to Krypton, leaving a cliffhanger for a sequel”.

Anyway, the new movie will be penned by author and Black Panther comic writer Ta-Nehisi Coates and will be a solo movie along the lines of Man of Steel.

“To be invited into the DC Extended Universe by Warner Bros., DC Films and Bad Robot is an honor,” Coates’ statement reads. “I look forward to meaningfully adding to the legacy of America’s most iconic mythic hero.”

“There is a new, powerful and moving Superman story yet to be told,” Abrams added. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to be working with the brilliant Mr. Coates to help bring that story to the big screen, and we’re beyond thankful to the team at Warner Bros. for the opportunity.”

Now, given the subject matter of Coates’ writing, this has led to rumours that we would be seeing a black Superman for the first time on screen, leading to many believing that current Superman Henry Cavill will not be starring in the role (the article states an actor is being sought), despite having apparently signed on for more appearances… this could tie into the rumours we heard sometime ago that Warners were pursuing Michael B Jordan as Superman.

Indeed, recently Shazam! Fury of the Gods director David S Sandberg addressed rumours of Cavill appearing in the Shazam! sequel, after Superman was shown from the neck down in the first movie, saying: “Not going to comment on casting rumors for several reasons. One being you can’t be sure about anything until it’s happened. Halfway through shooting Shazam the plan was still for Cavill to be in it. Scoopers could have scooped that and been right at the time but wrong in the end.” Hmmmmmmmmm…

Now, before you start shouting that there is a Black Superman, we are well aware of Calvin Ellis but we’re hearing this will be Clark Kent, hence a complete revamp of the classic character.

However, there is another possibility…

Could this Superman belong in the same universe as the upcoming The Batman?

Recently there was rumours that The Batman would feature a prominent nod to Lexcorp and, based on this story, it’s fair to assume the rest of the Justice League exist in that world. So, it’s not entirely impossible that this new Abrams’ Superman – which has no director at present – will belong in a different corner of the DC universe. After all, once The Flash movie opens up the DC Multiverse, nothing is impossible.

Personally, I’m all for new take on Superman or a movie based around Calvin Ellis’ Superman which could be a real game changer, but I don’t want to see either of these at the cost of Cavill’s Superman which deserves to have many more times in the (red) sun.

Makes you wonder where the new Supergirl fits in, doesn’t it?

UPATED:

As speculated above, THR has now confirmed this will be a “Black Superman story”.

Thoughts?

Source: THR