DC Films and Warner Bros.' Superman reboot from J.J. Abrams and Ta-Nahesi Coates will reportedly center on a Black version of Kal-El, not Val-Zod.
Sources for The Hollywood Reporter say Coates, who is writing the movie, is "crafting a Kal-El in the vein of the original Superman comics and will have the protagonist hail from Krypton and come to Earth." Beyond that, the film has the potential to be a period piece set sometime in the 20th century.
Created by Robson Rocha, Nicola Scott and Tom Taylor, Val-Zod first appeared in 2014's Earth 2 #19 and hales from an alternate universe separate from Prime-Earth in DC Comics' New 52 continuity.
A Black Kryptonian, Val-Zod's parents were executed by Krypton's courts prior to the planet's destruction, making him the last member of his House. He was one of the few to escape Krypton before its demise, along with Kara Zor-El and Kal-El. Over the course of his journey to Earth-2, Val-Zod became a pacifist while studying recordings left to him by his parents. He also developed agoraphobia after being in his capsule for so long, but was eventually able to step outside and absorb his super-powers from Earth's sun, paving the way to him assuming the Superman mantle.
In Feb. 2021, Warner Bros. announced it had tapped Coates to write a new Superman movie, with Abrams producing under his Bad Robot studio. "To be invited into the DC Extended Universe by Warner Bros., DC Films and Bad Robot is an honor," Coates said. "I look forward to meaningfully adding to the legacy of America's most iconic mythic hero." Shortly after, it was reported that Coates intended to center the project around a Black version of the Man of Steel.
While Warner Bros. has yet to reveal the film's director, the studio is reportedly looking at a number of up and coming Black filmmakers, including Creed II helmer Steven Caple Jr. and Sleight's J.D. Dillard. Oscar-winner Regina King, who is coming off her acclaimed directorial debut on One Night in Miami, is also among the listed contenders, along with Judas and the Black Messiah director Shaka King.
What's more, it's long been rumored that Warner Bros. was eying Creed and Black Panther star Michael B. Jordan to play a Black Man of Steel. Jordan recently admitted he's "humbled" to learn fans want him to play Superman, but indicated it's unlikely to happen.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter