A new Superman film is in development at Warner Bros. The news comes from African entertainment website Shadow and Act, which received exclusive statements confirming that the potential reboot was being written and produced by Ta-Nehisi Coates and J.J. Abrams, respectively. Coates is an acclaimed author and essayist who, in addition to various bestsellers such as The Beautiful Struggle and Between the World and Me, wrote comic book series for Black Panther (2016–2018) and Captain America (2018–2020) for Marvel Comics.
“To be invited into the DC Extended Universe by Warner Bros., DC Films and Bad Robot is an honor,” said Coates in a statement sent to Shadow and Act. “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. 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,” said J.J. Abrams in the statement.
“Ta-Nehisi Coates’s Between the World and Me opened a window and changed the way many of us see the world,” added Toby Emmerich, Chairman, Warner Bros. Pictures Group. “We’re confident that his take on Superman will give fans a new and exciting way to see the Man of Steel.”
Shadow and Act’s coverage also noted that a search for an actor to play Kal-El/Superman hasn’t started yet, which seems to imply that Henry Cavill will not be returning to the role. Judging by Coates’ previous work, the popular theory is that Warner Bros. is planning to introduce a Black Superman. Actor Michael B. Jordan (Fruitvale Station, Black Panther) reportedly tried to get a Black Superman project off the ground with Warner in 2019.
According to sources, the project is being set up as a Black Superman story, something Michael B. Jordan tried to do with the studio back in 2019https://t.co/LMiD82NWJ2
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) February 26, 2021