The Daily Planet - Superman News and Speculation Thread

[Marvel united]

Black Superman? Ta-Nehisi Coates?


They got my attention

 

[Deck Rickard]

Yeah, I’m still waiting for a great Superman movie. I had such high hopes for Man of Steel, and while I do enjoy it, it wasn’t as inspiring or moving as I wanted it to be. And the movies since then have been garbage. So I would like to see them get Clark Kent right before they move on to alternate universe Supermen. But if they want to make Clark Black, Latinx, Asian, etc., go for it. Just give me a good script and good direction. Something this series has sorely lacked for a long time.

 

[Invader Joker]

The only thing that worries me (and it worries me a lot) is that Coates is not a fan of Superman. If he wants to do a black Kal-El that's fan but if he's not even a fan of the character in general and doesn't connect with him that's really worrisome, I fear that he'll lose the essence of the character since he doesn't even like it.

 

[SwordOfMorning]

I, frankly, don’t see why any role where race isn’t narratively relevant shouldn’t just have colour blind casting calls. That’s just limiting the talent pool for no reason. There are artistic reasons for diversity as well as political.

 

[SwordOfMorning]

The only thing that worries me (and it worries me a lot) is that Coates is not a fan of Superman.

People are making mountains out of a molehill. He’s also expressed enormous affection for the DCAU and there are plenty of amazing adaptations out there by writers who didn’t have any prior relationship with the text.

Dude was explicitly saying he wasn’t well-read or versed. Never said he hated it. Opinions change.

 

[flickchick85]

The only thing that worries me (and it worries me a lot) is that Coates is not a fan of Superman.

Yet he loved STAS and JLU. Frankly, I think context is important in this quote - he's just saying why he was drawn to Marvel Comics growing up instead of DC. While trying to promote his new Marvel Comic. That's not his definitive statement on DC characters or anything.

 

[Invader Joker]

Yet he loved STAS and JLU. Frankly, I think context is important in this quote - he's just saying why he was drawn to Marvel Comics growing up instead of DC. While trying to promote his new Marvel Comic. That's not his definitive statement on DC characters or anything.

When did he say he loved STAS and JLU?

 

[flickchick85]

When did he say he loved STAS and JLU?

In another interview. Said those shows were better than Avengers or anything you'll see with superheroes on film.

EDIT: Here ya go -

That might've even been the same interview, lol.

 

[dhandler01]

Yet he loved STAS and JLU. Frankly, I think context is important in this quote - he's just saying why he was drawn to Marvel Comics growing up instead of DC. While trying to promote his new Marvel Comic. That's not his definitive statement on DC characters or anything.

I have said this in another thread but...most people connect more with Marvel than DC at his age which is why Marvel owns the market share for comics.

I dont need him to love DC to write a DC Film. Kevin Smith looooooooooooooooves DC (and I love him) but I don't want him writing an actual film about a DC character.

 

[dhandler01]

In another interview. Said those shows were better than Avengers or anything you'll see with superheroes on film.

EDIT: Here ya go -

That might've even been the same interview, lol.

I am pretty sure it is

 

[Spider-Aziz]

Adding to what's already been said; I think I remember seeing a video about writers for some comic book movies reading the material for the first time while doing research for their scripts to add as much authenticity as possible to the adaptions they worked on.

When it comes to someone like Superman or Batman the quest will be much more grueling and demanding than it will be for someone like Oliver Queen given the volume of material they would need to experience and explore for each character.

 

[Spider-Aziz]

I think I recall someone wanting a Superman story written by Christopher McQuarrie and directed by Brad Bird, there still is time for one of the two to come on board this project.

I dont need him to love DC to write a DC Film. Kevin Smith looooooooooooooooves DC (and I love him) but I don't want him writing an actual film about a DC character.

Was him writing Cacophony any influence on this stance?

 

[SwordOfMorning]

Less fanboy baggage in general would be good for most franchises. Like, as a random example I don’t need any more Star Wars movies or TV shows by devout fans.

 

[Marvel united]

I think that's why Stephan James would be a good get. He's not a household name, but he's no slouch either.

Yooo I was thinking the same thing! He'd be perfect!

 

[idiot09]

If they really have the balls, and if they really want to make a statement, make Clark Kent black.

Doing Calvin Ellis or whatever is just the easy way out, and what I think WB will do to avoid any "not my Superman" stuff. Very clever way to bypass all drama.

 

[idiot09]

Sure, you want to give that character 75 years to catch up to the iconic status of Superman first?

I advocate for black Clark Kent, but this is not good logic. Marvel made Black Panther a billion dollar franchise in like couple of years, and is now probably more popular than Superman in popculture.

Give me black Clark Kent. But also give me more Cyborg and Jon Stewart.

 

[Prison Mike]

If they really have the balls, and if they really want to make a statement, make Clark Kent black.

Doing Calvin Ellis or whatever is just the easy way out, and what I think WB will do to avoid any "not my Superman" stuff. Very clever way to bypass all drama.

If they’re smart, they would bypass all that unnecessary drama. It would just detract from the actual movie. A black Clark Kent would just profit off of the history of the character rather than making a statement that there can be a successful black Superman that stands on his own as an original character.

Unfortunately I don’t think WB has the balls to do that. They know that the Clark Kent Superman is a proven money maker so they’ll rather change skin tone than use a different character.

 

[FunkMiller]

Sorry, but objecting to an alien character being black, when he’s always been white before just smacks of racism to me. Superman’s meant to represent the best in people. Sad that casting a black guy in the part would in reality bring out the worst.

No good story or character reason why Superman can’t be black. None.

 

[Marvel united]

Telling on yourself if you don't think a black person can be an American icon.

Falcon And The Winter Soldier (2021)​

 

[idiot09]

If they’re smart, they would bypass all that unnecessary drama.

Here's the thing. They would just play it off as "oh they dont like it because we made Superman black". It gives them a shield, like they did with Ghostbusters. A very cynical take from me, I know, but from what I keep hearing, a lot of these hollywood people seem more interested in performative activism. I do think the creatives JJ and the writer have their heart in the right place though. And I do think they will do right with the character, and I also think its a new place where the character should be taken. I think making Superman mexican would also be a great move, and topical considering his immigrant origins. Also as a brown person, I wanna see more brown superheroes.

People saying "its not that safe a decision because you have people complaining"...well by that same logic I will say Star Wars TFA is not a safe movie, because there were people complaining its safe. But it absolutely was.

I think this is a safe movie in some ways, but also very bold in anothers. But I definitely feel like WB are being cynical and clever with this move. They need to get Superman right, and the complaints always have been "Not my Superman", so they went a route to bypass all that, and look good in the process in the aftermath of the Ray Fisher incident. 2 birds, one Stone(pun unintended).

 

[Marvel united]

Yes. I've wanted a Cyborg solo movie for a while. But instead of getting that or another original black hero, we get a reskinned Superman and we're supposed to be happy about it? Its dumb, lazy, and insulting.

But Cyborg isn't Superman. They aren't interchangeable just because both may be black now. These characters have completely different stories

You talk about checking boxes, you talk about tokenism... But this quite literally that. Superman is checking the box that Cyborg otherwise should have in your opinion.. Just because he's Black.

 

[Boy Scout]

I’m black and don’t have a problem with it. It’s not an either/or situation. Superman can be black and John Stewart can still get a movie.

 

[flickchick85]

Keep it civil, folks. That means keeping inflammatory language to yourselves.

 

[Aurakles]

So Abrams is producing, but not writing or directing?
...ok, I think I can live with that.

 

[C Prometheus]

So Abrams is producing, but not writing or directing?
...ok, I think I can live with that.

Speaking of, I really wonder who Abrams will wind up getting to direct the film! I don't know how plausible this is since he's already busy directing that Lion King prequel film, but I think Barry Jenkins could make for an interesting choice, for instance.