TheSpawnmovie is moving ahead with new writers who have lent their respective talent toCaptain America 4andJoker. The creator of the character, Todd McFarlane, is attached to produce and had glowing things to say about the new trio that’s set to helm the script.
Spawnwas a launch title for Image Comics. The story centers on Al Simmons, a Marine who is betrayed by his commander and killed. Making a deal with a demon, he returns to life, albeit horribly scarred and amnesiac. He eventually recovers his memories and discovers it’s been five years since his death, his wife has moved on, and he’s stuck living life as a Hellspawn. The anti-hero has previously had a film back in 1997, but it was not received well. McFarlane has been attempting a remake for decades now, andSpider-Man: No Way Homestar Jamie Foxx, who’s no stranger to superhero films, is still attached to play the title role.
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According toThe Hollywood Reporter, the newSpawnfilm has found its scribes inJokerwriter Scott Silver,Captain America: New World Orderwriter Malcolm Spellman, and rising writer Matthew Mixon. Of the three, McFarlane is reported as saying, “If we’ve got an A-list actor, A-list producers, A-list writers, then do you want to shoot for A-list directors, A-list cinematographers? The answer is, ‘of course.’ Let’s keep the momentum going.” He particularly seemed excited to work with Silver, being a fan of his work onJoker,wondering, “why not just go for the guy who wrote the movie?” After Silver joined, Spellman and Mixon signed onboard as well.
Spellman spoke of what the character meant to him and how he and his co-writers intended to honor the character. “I grew up in Berkeley, which is a comic book city. Todd McFarlane’sSpawncharacter was always one of my favorites — a Black superhero that was no b*******, he was cool and dealt with modern issues. Myself, Matt Mixon, and Scott Silver are pledged to honoring what Todd started and whatSpawnis at its core, delivering something that’s relevant and edgy and unlike any other superhero movie out there.” TheCaptain America: New World Orderscribe appears to be excited to get a chance to take a crack at the character. With Silver and Mixom alongside him, theSpawnfilm will, no doubt, be as dark and gritty as the character is in the comics.
Spawnis one of those superheroes who first appeared in the ’90s, a decade in comics where grit, darkness, and edginess ruled the scene. Unlike some of the characters, who have not aged well, Spawn has retained his place as a fan favorite. His fanbase is ardent, andMcFarlane is passionate about Spawn, even wanting to make a new game about the character.
In an age where superhero films have lost some of their bite and have taken on a tamer tone, a more out-there, edgy superhero could be a breath of fresh air. There have always been dark and gritty superhero films, of course, but none quite like what Spawn provides audiences. And, hopefully, the film injects some new life into the property.
