The planned film based on DC Comics' Plastic Man has found a new screenwriter, with the project now being described as a "female-leading vehicle."
Per The Hollywood Reporter, screenwriter Cat Vasko has been tapped to pen the Plastic Man movie for DC. Two years ago, in December of 2018, it was reported that a Plastic Man film described as a "comedic action-adventure" was in the works from screenwriter Amanda Idoko, with Warner Bros. confirming the news several days later.
With Vasko now taking over, the project looks to be going in a new direction. According to THR's sources, the Plastic Man movie "is in the earliest stages of development" and "will now become a female-leading vehicle." At this time, it is unclear which character (or characters) will share top-billing with the eponymous hero. Furthermore, it is also unknown if this shift in focus will result in a title change for the film.
Created by Jack Cole, the character of Patrick "Eel" O'Brian/Plastic Man first appeared in Police Comics #1, which was published by Quality Comics in 1941. A criminal turned superhero, Patrick was a gangster who was shot, covered in chemical liquid and left for dead during a botched heist. The liquid granted him the ability to stretch his body, with the reformed crook taking on the mantle of Plastic Man. Quality went under in 1956, with DC Comics acquiring the rights to the character after the fact. Plastic Man has since gone on to appear as a member of the Justice League and, more recently, The Terrifics, among a host of other superhero outfits. He has also appeared in a number of screen projects, primarily in the realm of animation.
Cat Vasko is known for writing the 2015 film Grrl Scouts. In addition to the Plastic Man movie, the up-and-coming screenwriter is attached to a number of projects currently in development as well, including Queen of the Air, Life After Life, Consume and Lady Death.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter