Warner Bros. announced in February that acclaimed author Ta-Nehisi Coates was writing the screenplay for a new Superman movie to be produced by J.J. Abrams. Insiders told THR that “Warners and DC are committed to hiring a Black director to tackle what will be the first cinematic incarnation of Superman featuring a Black actor, with one source adding that putting Abrams at the helm would be ‘tone-deaf.’”

The Hollywood Reporter continues: “In a fitting twist, the director search is pitting DC against none other than Marvel. As Warners looks to fill its Superman vacancy, Marvel is on the hunt for a Blade helmer and is combing through the same list. But the question will come down to what kind of filmmaker Bad Robot and Warners want: an up-and-comer who can be backed by Abrams, who knows his way around tentpoles and franchises? Or an established filmmaker like a Barry Jenkins or a Ryan Coogler?” Related ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’ Will Be ‘Epic’ in Mold of ‘Big Avengers Movie,’ Says Director Young ‘Superman’ Movie Written by James Gunn First Film on DC Studios Slate, Henry Cavill Steps Aside Related Oscars 2023: Best Documentary Feature Predictions Influential Awards Bodies Reshape 2023 Best Documentary Feature Race
Marvel’s Blade movie is set to star Mahershala Ali in the title role and is targeting a July 2022 release date. It was announced in February that “Watchmen” scribe and WGA Award winner Stacy Osei-Kuffour is penning the upcoming resurrection of Marvel’s vampire franchise. THR reported at the time that Marvel spent six months meeting with potential writers for the movie. Ali was directly involved with the screenwriter search and only Black writers were “seriously considered” as the film centers on a Black character. Osei-Kuffour is now Marvel’s first Black female writer on a feature. Nia DaCosta, set for the upcoming “Captain Marvel” sequel (now titled “The Marvels”), is set to become the studio’s first Black woman director. Warner Bros. has not assigned a release date for the Abrams-produced Superman movie. THR reports Coates is on tap to submit a draft of the script by December. The studio is also searching for a Black actor to play the superhero. Superman rumors have long circled Michael B. Jordan, but the actor said earlier this month he’s merely watching this new project play out from the sidelines. Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our Email Newsletters here.