The Hollywood Reporter has pulled back the curtain (cape?) on Ta-Nehisi Coates and J.J. Abrams' Superman reboot, confirming that the latter will not be taking the helm. The Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker filmmaker is still producing, but insiders tell the trade that Warner Bros. is committed to finding a Black director and Abrams taking charge of the project would be "tone-deaf."
Among those being considered are Steven Caple Jr. (Creed II), J.D. Dillard (Sweetheart), Regina King (One Night in Miami), and Shaka King (Judas and the Black Messiah).
Barry Jenkins and Ryan Coogler are also among the possibilities, but the latter is unlikely as he's going to be pretty busy working on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever for the foreseeable future. It is, however, worth noting that Coates isn't expected to deliver his Superman script to Warner Bros. until mid-December.
Here are the biggest reveals, though:
It's said that this Superman movie will not be part of the DC Extended Universe, and will instead take place in its own world similar to The Batman. The trade also reveals that "Coates 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."
It's possible that the lead will still be Calvin Ellis instead of Clark Kent, but it's hard to say.
Interestingly, there have been discussions about making the reboot "a 20th century period piece," but it doesn't sound like anything has been decided yet.
Are you excited to see Coates' take on the Man of Steel?