Summary:
- J.J. Abrams’ Black Superman movie, by Ta-Nehisi Coates, is still in development at DC Studios.
- Separate from “Superman: Legacy,” it explores a Black Superman in a 20th-century period piece.
- DC Studios embraces a “multiverse” concept for Batman and Joker across distinct continuities.
Ahead of principal photography on Superman: Legacy, DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn has confirmed that J.J. Abrams’ Black-led Superman movie has not been scrapped and is still in development at the studio.
Back in 2021, it was reported that Ta-Nehisi Coates, author of We Were Eight Years in Power, was penning a new Superman script described as “a 20th-century period piece.” The film would revolve around a Black version of the iconic Man of Steel. With J.J. Abrams attached as a producer, fans were intrigued by the project’s potential.
Despite the reorganization of priorities following Warner Bros. Discovery’s appointment of Gunn and Peter Safran to oversee DC Studios, the Ta-Nehisi Coates-written Superman film may still be on track. Gunn recently clarified that Superman: Legacy and Coates and Abrams’ would-be film “are totally unrelated.”
“Those two things are totally unrelated,” Gunn said. “That’s an exciting movie. I know that Chantal Nong, who is the executive on that project, is extremely excited about it. So if it comes in and it’s great, which I haven’t read the script, and if the timing is right, that could absolutely happen. That’s totally unrelated. It would be an Elseworlds tale like Joker.”
Gunn’s reference to the “Elseworlds” imprint is significant. Just as Matt Reeves’ Batman and Todd Phillips’ Joker films coexist in their own respective continuities outside of the primary cinematic universe, Abrams’ Superman movie could similarly carve its own path. Gunn emphasized that if the script is great and the timing aligns, it could indeed happen.
The prospect of multiple live-action Batmen appearing on screen simultaneously has sparked debate among fans. Will casual audiences be confused by this seemingly unorthodox approach? DC Studios, however, appears confident in its strategy of embracing a “multiverse” concept.
In the coming years, DC will deliver two distinct cinematic takes on the Dark Knight. First up is Matt Reeves’ “The Batman Part II” starring Robert Pattinson, arriving in October 2025. Following that is “The Brave and the Bold,” a DC Universe film featuring a new actor as Batman, existing alongside the continuity established in “Superman: Legacy” and other interconnected projects of the new DCU.
This strategy extends beyond Batman. While not directly featuring the Caped Crusader, “Joker: Folie à Deux” (starring Joaquin Phoenix) presents an alternate version of Batman’s archenemy within the DC Elseworlds banner, a separate continuity from both the DCU and Reeves’ Batman universe. Joker: Folie à Deux” is also slated for release in October 2025.
While details remain scarce, fans can look forward to a fresh take on the Man of Steel. As we eagerly await further updates, it’s clear that DC Studios is exploring exciting possibilities for its superhero roster.
