After it was revealed that Ta-Nehisi Coates and J.J. Abrams are teaming on a Superman movie reboot for Warner Bros., a new report suggests this Man of Steel project will star a Black leading male."Will audiences be introduced to a Black Superman? That is the intent and something that the studio has been trying to find a way in for months if not a year or two, according to sources," THR reporter Borys Kit tweeted following the news of Coates and Abrams' Superman.
"To be invited into the DC Extended Universe by Warner Bros., DC Films and Bad Robot is an honor," Coates told 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," J.J. Abrams said in a statement to Shadow and Act.
"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."
Warner Bros. has reportedly been mulling a new take on Superman since 2018, with reports pointing to Black Panther and Creed star Michael B. Jordan in consideration for the role. For his part, Jordan fueled the rumors during an interview with Oprah Winfrey, where he namedropped Calvin Ellis.
"It's tough. I hate being a businessman and understanding both sides of the situation," Jordan said. "There is a huge upside to it, but being under that microscope, being picked apart and compared to so many different versions of Superman... I would rather do something original. I'll be Calvin Ellis."
Created by Grant Morrison and Doug Mahnke, Calvin Ellis is President Superman of Earth-23 and debuted in 2009's Final Crisis. Michael B. Jordan and WB also discussed a Black Superman pitch in 2019, though with his busy schedule, Jordan could not make a full commit at that time.
Another Black Superman in the DC Universe is Val-Zod of Earth-2. Created by Tom Taylor, Nicola Scott and Robson Rocha, Val-Zod made his debut in 2014's Earth 2 #19.
Source: Twitter