Todd McFarlane has provided an exciting update regarding the upcoming film “King Spawn,” which is based on characters from Image Comics. As the President and co-founder of Image Comics, McFarlane has been at the forefront of this project, which has been in development for several years.
Recently, McFarlane revealed that a script for “King Spawn,” crafted by writers Matt Nixon, Malcolm Spellman, and Scott Silver, is ready for production. However, he clarified that the title is merely a working title at this stage. The film will not be a direct adaptation of the comic book series.
In an interview with ComicBook, McFarlane expressed his thoughts on the title, stating, “It’s probably just a working title. I think it’s cool. It’s strong.” He emphasized that the choice of title was intentional, aiming to convey that the film will not simply replicate past iterations of the franchise. He noted that calling it just “Spawn” might suggest a reboot, which they wanted to avoid.
The “King Spawn” comic series debuted in August 2021 as the first spinoff of the original “Spawn” series. The character of King Spawn is portrayed as an anti-hero who wields his powers on Earth by corrupting souls, with only Spawn aware of his existence.
Scott Silver, one of the writers for the film, is known for his work on the critically acclaimed “Joker” alongside Todd Phillips. While the script is complete, McFarlane mentioned that the next step involves finding a director. He indicated that they are closely monitoring the box office performance of upcoming films like “Deadpool” and “Wolverine,” as well as the sequel to “Joker,” to bolster their case for producing an R-rated film.
“I know it’s frustrating to people, but having a script is a giant hurdle to get over, and we’re over (it),” McFarlane explained. He expressed optimism about the project, stating that the completion of the script is a significant milestone. The focus now shifts to assembling the right team to bring the film to life.
McFarlane revealed that they have a list of potential directors in mind but have yet to finalize their choice. He hopes to find a director who can enhance the project and excite the studios involved. “Because if the studios feel confident that they got a team that they can just say ‘Go, Here we go. We bought it, now go,’ that will just speed up all of this that much faster,” he added.
The anticipation surrounding the “Spawn” franchise has been building for nearly a decade. McFarlane first partnered with Jason Blum’s Blumhouse Productions in 2017 to develop a new chapter in the story of the human-turned-Hellspawn. In 2018, Oscar-winning actor Jamie Foxx was announced as the lead, set to portray the titular antihero.
During a recent panel at San Diego Comic-Con, McFarlane shared insights into the film’s development. He praised the screenwriters for staying true to the spirit of the original material, emphasizing that the script needed to be “badass.” He expressed confidence that the final product would resonate with audiences, even those unfamiliar with the “Spawn” universe.
McFarlane promised a bold and different take on the character, one that does not shy away from being R-rated. He explained that the next step for the filmmakers is to secure the right director for the project. In the meantime, he is closely watching the box office results of other R-rated comic book films, particularly the upcoming “Deadpool & Wolverine.”
“That movie is going to open up giant — it’s going to be a giant, giant number,” McFarlane predicted regarding the Marvel film’s box office potential. He believes that the success of such films will encourage Hollywood to embrace R-rated comic book adaptations more readily.
McFarlane also anticipates that the industry will further embrace this trend following the release of “Joker 2” later this year. He noted that the filmmakers of “Spawn” are not looking to replicate the formulas of Marvel or DC. Instead, they aim to carve out their own unique identity within the comic book film landscape.
“If we try to do a watered-down version of Marvel or DC, it won’t work,” McFarlane stated. He reiterated the importance of creating a distinct vision for “Spawn,” one that reflects the eclectic nature of Image Comics. He emphasized the need for a studio that understands they are not getting a diluted version of existing franchises but rather an original take on the material.
The “Spawn” comics, which first hit the shelves in 1992, follow the story of Albert Francis “Al” Simmons, who transforms from a human into a Hellspawn. The character possesses a range of abilities, including superhuman strength, speed, and near-immortality. The original “Spawn” film was released in 1997, featuring Michael Jai White in the lead role, and was notable for being one of the first films to showcase an African American actor as a major comic book superhero.
In addition to the film updates, McFarlane also discussed various “Spawn” titles during the panel, including “Rat City,” “No Home Here,” “Spawn Kills Every Spawn,” “Medieval Spawn,” “Deadly Tales of the Gunslinger,” “She Spawn,” “The Freak,” and “Violator.” He also invited actor David Dastmalchian to the stage to discuss their new comic book project, “Knights vs. Samurai,” which promises to blend elements of metal fantasy and samurai lore.
As the search for a director continues and the excitement builds for “King Spawn,” fans of the franchise are eager to see how McFarlane and his team will bring this iconic character back to the big screen. With a strong script in hand and a vision for a unique take on the material, the future of “Spawn” looks promising.
Source: ComicBook, Variety
