You’ll recall, the first time a Black Superman project was mentioned by Warner Bros. and the trades, Michael B. Jordan was the first name involved alongside J.J. Abrams. Abrams is already developing a Black Superman project for Warner Bros. with famed writer Ta Nehisi Coates, and well, Jordan is apparently too. While it’s not clear if Jordan and Abrams could not see eye to eye on the initial project originally, Collider reports that Jordan and his production company Outlier Society are developing their own Black Superman project for HBO Max. This version reportedly centers on the Val-Zod incarnation of the character, a Kryptonian from Earth-2.
The outlet says Outlier Society has hired a writer who is currently working on the script, though their identity is unknown at this time. Collider also says the “Val-Zod” Superman project is currently being written as a limited series that Jordan will produce and possibly even star in, though he has yet to commit on the latter front officially.
READ MORE: Michael B. Jordan Denies Those Superman Rumors & Is “Just Watching On This One”
This wouldn’t come as a total surprise as Warner Bros. and DC Films execs earlier this year announced a goal of making more mid-sized movies for HBO Max and more DC Comics-centered limited series for the streaming channel. Taking a page from the Marvel playbook seemingly—they have six superhero limited series projects airing in 2021 alone—WB is definitely looking to boost their subscribers on HBO Max with more premium content like this project.
In the works for HBO Max are “Batgirl,” “Blue Beetle” movies specifically made for HBO Max, a “Static Shock” project that Jordan is already involved in, a “Justice League Dark” project that likely could be a series and a “Constantine” limited series in the works (he’s also a member of JLD).
Jordan recently shot down rumors that he would be part of Abrams’ Superman project a few months ago. “I’m flattered that people have me in that conversation. It’s definitely a compliment, but I’m just watching on this one,” he said.
A recent editorial for Black Girl Nerds with some new elements to it said sources told them, “Jordan has not wanted to engage in conversations about racebending Kal-El for the same reasons many of the fans are pushing back on the current Warner Bros. re-imagined version of Clark Kent, but that he would be interested in engaging on a Black Superman project centering on the Val-Zod storyline.” It looks like that idea turned out to be true.
READ MORE: Ta-Nehisi Coates Hired To Write New ‘Superman’ Film Produced By J.J. Abrams
Update: THR’s HeatVision newsletter confirms the report. They do suggest creative friction between Abrams and Jordan’s camp. “Depending on who you talk to, it fell apart because Jordan wanted too much control over the project or Warner Bros. was shifting away from actors having control as producers, which sounds like different sides of the same coin to us.”
After Jordan walked away, “The HBO Max side of the business then approached Jordan and asked him if he’d like to try his project for them. It was either synergy or, at the time, a surprise, depending on who you talk to. No overlap is seen, however, as Jordan’s is considered to be early development and on a different time track.”