When you are thinking of the best male actors working today, Jake Gyllenhaal has to be in the conversation. And when you talk about the best up-and-coming action filmmakers in the business right now, Sam Hargrave is definitely in the conversation. So, combining those two people for a comic book film has to be good, right? Apparently, we’re going to find out in the upcoming “Prophet.”
According to THR, Studio 8 has brought on Sam Hargrave to direct a film inspired by the comic book series, “Prophet,” and Jake Gyllenhaal is already onboard as the title character. For those not familiar with ‘90s comic book superheroes, “Prophet” was created by “Deadpool” creator Rob Liefeld and tells a story that is very similar to another superhero you might have heard of before—Captain America. In “Prophet,” Jake Gyllenhaal will play John Prophet, a poor man that decides to take part in German experiments during World War II, turning him into a supersoldier. He is then effectively put on ice for 20 years and awakens, disoriented, in the mid-‘60s and has to save the world, naturally, as evil folks try to replicate the supersoldier program decades later.
Yes, that sounds like Captain America, but if the “Prophet” comics are any indication, the bright colors and aw-shucks-iness of Steve Rogers is replaced by a more grim and gritty take on the idea of a supersoldier from another time. And Gyllenhaal has yet to really get his own superhero role, as of now, so it’ll be fun to see him put his own spin on a tried-and-true story. (Yes, he has already shown up as the villain Mysterio in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but he hasn’t been a good guy, yet.)
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“It’s been a goal of ours to work with Jake and Sam for quite some time, so we’re very excited to finally be collaborating with them on this unique, action-packed genre film,” Studio 8 CEO Jeff Robinov said. “I’m looking forward to seeing what they envision for bringing this story to life — a story we’re sure will stand out in the comic book world as a powerful, emotionally charged, and visually distinctive film.”
As mentioned, Hargrave is the director of the feature, coming off his immensely popular debut film, “Extraction,” which still sits as one of Netflix’s most popular pieces of original programming to ever grace the streamer. He is also set to return as the director of the upcoming “Extraction” sequel which will arrive on the platform next year. Marc Guggenheim, who is probably best known for his work in the CW Arrowverse, is writing the script for “Prophet.”
It’s unclear when “Prophet” might go into production, but when it does, it’ll definitely be one of our most anticipated films.