DC’s Black Superman Update: Michael B. Jordan Suiting Up For The Role?

Warner Bros. “Superman” reboot will star a black character as the Man of Steel. Reports reveal that the upcoming Superman film is a standalone movie within the evolving DC Multiverse while retelling the original “Superman” origin story.

J.J. Abrams will serve as the producer for the new “Superman” film, and Warner Bros. has recruited acclaimed author and writer Ta-Nehisi Coates to pen the script.

“To be invited into the DC Extended Universe by Warner Bros., DC Films and Bad Robot is an honor,” Coates told Shadow and Act.

“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,” said J.J. Abrams in the statement to Shadow and Act.

The idea is to bring a “Black Superman” to the screens, with the production company committed to recruiting a Black director for the film.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Coates will create a Kal-El similar to the original “Superman” comics, set in the 20th century. In addition, DC may be on the lookout for an unknown actor to play Kal-El in the movie.

While fans clamor that “Black Panther” actor Michael B. Jordan will be perfect for the role, the actor said it’s unlikely he’ll be playing the part. “I’m flattered that people have me in that conversation. It’s definitely a compliment, but I’m just watching on this one,” he told THR.

For the uninitiated, the “Black Superman” character was launched somewhat a decade ago. Creators Robson Rocha, Nicola Scott, and Tom Taylor debuted in 2014, a character named Val-Zod from Earth 2 #19 and was among the survivors from Krypton, apart from the original Superman (Kal-El a.k.a Clark Kent).

Meanwhile, Grant Morrison and Doug Mahnke launched their “Black Superman” character in 2009 (inspired after President Barack Obama) in Final Crisis #7. Calvin Ellis, this version of the Man of Steel, happened to be the United States president on a different Earth.

It’s unclear which story arc will Coates bring to Warner Brothers. According to reports, this announcement will be unveiled in December this year or January 2021.