Todd McFarlane, the visionary behind the long-awaited Spawn film, has been ardently promoting the project for ages, candidly acknowledging the arduous test of patience it's posed for the impatient comic book maestro. Yet, a pivotal chapter in its tumultuous development journey is finally drawing to a close, ushering in a fresh start for this ambitious endeavor rooted in the Image Comics universe, where a former black-ops operative strikes a fateful bargain with a demon after being treacherously slain.
King Spawn, the latest iteration, now boasts a fully fleshed-out screenplay—a testament to the unwavering faith McFarlane and producer Jason Blum of Blumhouse have in its potential, prompting them to embark on a quest to find the perfect directorial voice for the big screen adaptation. This milestone comes two years after they entrusted up-and-coming scribe Matt Mixon, alongside the creative forces behind Falcon and the Winter Soldier's Malcolm Spellman and Joker's Oscar-nominated Scott Silver, with penning the script.
With a director in sight, the team will venture forth to court studio partners, leaving open the question of Jamie Foxx's continued involvement as the lead, given that the incoming helmer will likely bring their own vision to the table. McFarlane envisions this as a mid-budget film, striking a delicate balance between the grandeur of blockbuster spectacles and the intimacy of Blumhouse's usual fare.
As they gear up for negotiations with studios, McFarlane notes a timely tailwind: two of the year's most anticipated films, Deadpool & Wolverine (releasing this weekend) and October's Joker: Folie à Deux (co-written by Silver), are poised to redefine the landscape for R-rated comic book adaptations. "Deadpool offers a playful edge, while Joker 2 delves into the depths of darkness. Our film aims for the latter, promising a deeply serious, gritty, and emotionally weighty experience," he asserts. "If you relish serious drama imbued with meaningful themes that resonate with our world, this movie is tailor-made for you."
McFarlane, who ignited the Spawn franchise in 1992, once flirted with the idea of directing the project himself, encountering setbacks like the pandemic's industry slowdown and the writers' strike. Known for his relentless drive, he admits that waiting has been a challenge. Yet, Blum's words of wisdom, once a source of frustration, now resonate deeply. "During a lull in the pandemic, he said something that's proven to be incredibly insightful," recalls McFarlane. "'Todd, a movie gets made when it's ready.' I thought, 'Easy for you to say, you've got a slate of projects!' But he was right. Rushing it would've compromised the vision. It's about letting the project mature organically."
On Monday, both McFarlane and Blumhouse shared a glimpse of the King Spawn script's opening page, marking a significant milestone for the project. "This is a major hurdle cleared," declares McFarlane, "a moment we've been eagerly anticipating."
