Without a doubt, one of the most talked-about 2026 movie releases yet to release is Craig Gillespie’s DCU debut Supergirl, even if a lot of the talk centered on the upcoming superhero feature has skewed less than positive. I’m all about bringing more sloppy drunks into the DCU,, so I’m keeping an open mind about Milly Alcock’s full-length portrayal of Kara Zor-El, but wowzers is it hard to avoid the litany of potshots being aimed at a new line of Supergirl action figures.

Every modern comic book movie seems destined for toy lines, with McFarlane Toys among the most utilized companies, for better or worse. And “worse” would probably be what a lot of fans would use to describe their feelings about the impending figure releases designed to resemble Alcock’s heroine, as well as the special edition figure honoring Melissa Benoist’s Supergirl who helped keep the Arrowverse safe. Fans have long debated which actress owns the role, but most seem to be in agreement that their toy likenesses suck.

Fan Comments About Milly Alcock's Supergirl Figure

Starting with the first McFarlane Toys post showcasing Supergirl and her sword, with posts about the Deluxe Theatrical Edition featuring Krypto to follow, fans immediately went in on just how wildly inaccurate and non-detailed the figure looks. Most honed in on the facial features,

• The face 😭😭😭
• Butterface
• Her face looks like something from White Chicks 🤣
• Did Todd hire a blind raccoon to do the head sculpt?
• I especially like that she has no neck.
• This dude couldn’t do a good face sculpt if his life depended on it.

I tend to avoid agreeing with mindless complaints being shared online, but I also got White Chicks vibes when I first caught sight of these figures. Maybe it's the general squareness of the sculpt. Or maybe Shawn Wayans actually was used as the 3D model for these.

Meanwhile, others on X were also quick to criticize the plastic Supergirl's thin appendages, as well as the general shoddiness for a toy promoting one of the most advertised movies of the year.

• i’m sorry but why did they give her noodle arms.. the rest is fine ig but why are her arms like that
• Long a-s skinny arms that likeness is ROUGH!
• I really appreciate McFarlane Toys being so awful that I don’t have to collect them.
• This may be one of mcfarlanes most embarrassing figures holy s--t
• One of the worst McFarlane DC figures of all time.

To be sure, some of the commenters are likely the same ones who populate social media with other forms of Supergirl hate, but for what it's worth, most of the negativity I saw aimed at the toys were wholly on topic, without taking direct aim at Alcock herself, who has spoken out about facing fandom toxicity from her relatively short stint on HBO’s House of the Dragon.

I do wonder if the actress would agree with the online sentiment that the designs look off, or if she will embrace the toys regardless. Probably the latter, but I bet the former happens at least once behind closed doors.

Melissa Benoist's Supergirl Figure Also Earns Tons Of Flak

Though the Arrowverse went defunct several years ago, James Gunn's DCU has given The CW shows' fanbase reason to continue decrying new cast members in favor of those who donned the capes and tights on the small screen. Once again, though, it seems all impulses to debate issues are quelled by the need to agree that this figure's face design is just as wonky as the one for Alcock. Check it out below:

Which then sparked comments such as those seen below:

• Please tell me youre gon a fix her face 😬😬
• I would've given that face another couple passes before finalizing the design.
• Benoist's smile is iconic and yall go with a smirk?
• Sweet baby Jeebus !. The f--k is that face ??
• Dear god what did you do to her face?!
• It took me some time to realize that it was supposed to be Melissa's Supergirl. I couldn't tell by how terrible the face is. Hurrah for McFarland's.

Yikes, amirite? At least when it comes to the actual humans themselves, Benoist has been supportive of Alcock taking over the role, and doesn't want to echo the internet's less than savory sentiments.

Create your own Kara toy line to celebrate the upcoming DC movie Supergirl hitting theaters on June 26, 2026.

Last year’s Venom: The Last Dance closed out a chapter of MCU-buttressing history that the 2025 movie schedule, as well as the upcoming Marvel movies lineup, probably won’t see a return from. Despite arguably being the symbiote core of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, Venom and other webslinger-adjacent baddies likely had their fates sealed by Kraven the Hunter's poor box office and audience reactions.

With that in mind, the MCU will probably want to bring the Lethal Protector back into the fold at some point. And considering what co-creator Todd McFarlane has said about what he’d do differently, I can’t knock this notion by a long tongue. Errr. by a long shot, rather.

Todd McFarlane’s Problem With How Sony Handled Venom Is Still Valid

On hand for Orlando’s Megacon event for a panel with Todd McFarlane, CBR reported the the creator of the cult comic classic Spawn discussed how he’d take a crack at Eddie Brock’s Symbiote-enhanced double life in live-action. But to truly understand why he holds his current opinion, one first needd to know what Mr. McFarlane thinks of the Tom Hardy trilogy.

Here’s Todd McFarlane’s views on how Sony handled Venom's three films, which I think plenty of fans could agree with, regardless of one's mileage. In his words:

As far as the current Venom trilogy is concerned, Mr. Brock and his Symbiote were a pair of goofy anti-heroes that may or may not have loved each other. The co-creator's comments about the character's turn to non-villainy are definitely reflected across the three Tom Hardy-starring films, which became increasingly more ridiculous as Venom and Eddie's relationship ebbed and flowed. So to have someone like McFarlane step in and turn Venom back into the comics' hellacious monster for the MCU? Yes, please.

While Venom’s Co-Creator Made His Peace With Tom Hardy’s Movies, I’d Still Watch An R-Rated Reboot

What we’ve called “The Great Venom Debate” in the past is a larger sticking point that we’ve seen recur throughout the history of Todd McFarlane’s work being adapted. Just as the 1997 film version of Spawn delivered a PG-13 version of the wildly graphic and hard-edged comic to the silver screen, the same happened with Venom.

Though McFarlane was “hands off” on Venom for his own reasons, here’s what his more hands-on approach would have been like:

History seems to be echoing itself at this current moment, as Todd McFarlane’s still developing Spawn reboot is the closest thing we’ve seen to the very R-rated creator reimagining a creation in his own image. While he doesn’t outright say it in this Megacon panel, I wouldn’t be surprised if the comic genius in question would grab that brass ring and bring his version of Venom to the movies.

Which would be kind of fantastic, especially if Todd McFarlane was given his mature-skewing dream ticket. I don't think it'd be the first bite of the apple, but eventually if the McFarlane saga became a hit, I'd bet that Carnage would be re-done in that R-rating we wished was present for Venom: Let There Be Carnage.

That potential, and any other hypotheticals, are something that probably sits off in the distance, especially with Spider-Man 4 on the fast track for July 2026, and the MCU’s other R-rated reboot Blade currently being stuck in a holding pattern. While the issue of older critics opinions on Venom may still be a bit of a problem by time this possibility is even considered, I think even the most cynical parties would buy a ticket to see how a McFarlane variant of his Marvel villain would play out.

In 1997, five years after the Image Comics character Spawn debuted to the masses, Michael Jai White brought the demonic antihero to life in a live-action movie that even White admitted wasn’t any good. Now it’s coming up on nearly a decade since Spawn creator Todd McFarlane started trying to get a reboot off the ground with Blumhouse Productions, which will deliver its trademark “edge.” While there’s still no timeframe on when this project will be slated on the schedule of upcoming superhero movies, McFarlane has provided an update in its status and revealed a connection to the Joker franchise.

It was announced in 2022 that Joker co-writer Scott Silver was teaming up with Malcolm Spellman and Matt Mixon to pen a new Spawn script. While speaking with Comicbook, McFarlane shared that Silver is still on board the project, and they’re hoping to finally find Spawn a studio home ahead of Joker 2’s release on the 2024 movies schedule. In the comic book creator’s words:

As with the first movie, Scott Silver wrote Joker 2, a.k.a. Joker: Folie à Deux, with director Todd Phillips, and the long-awaited movie pairing Joaquin Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck with Lady Gaga’s Harley Quinn will come out on October 4. Ahead of that though, McFarlane is hoping that after so many years spent in development hell, Spawn can finally be set up somewhere and begin production. However, that will only happen if Silver, Todd McFarlane and the other writers can ensure that the script is the best it can be.

On that note, McFarlane also said in this interview that he’s had “intense storytelling conversations” with Silver, and the latter is specifically hoping Spawn’s ending will “have some meaning and some purpose, not just that the good guy won.” McFarlane continued:

Considering how long we’ve been waiting for the Spawn reboot, it’s difficult to say whether McFarlane and his team will be successful in partnering with a studio or if they’ll need to come up with a new game plan for 2025. In 2018, Jamie Foxx was cast to play Spawn, originally known as Al Simmons, and there hasn’t been any mention of him exiting the role. Jeremy Renner was also cast as Detective Twitch Williams that same year, but it’s unclear if he’s still attached to the project.

Rest assured that whenever the next major, concrete Spawn update comes in, we’ll pass it along. For now, the original Spawn movie can be streamed on Tubi, and the animated series that ran for three seasons on HBO can be accessed with a Max subscription.

For more than half a decade now, Spawn creator Todd McFarlane has been working to get a reboot of the Image Comics character off the ground at Blumhouse Productions. While there have been a handful of updates over those years about the project’s progress, it’s been a while since we learned where things currently stand. Well, good news for the Spawn fans out there, after a long wait, it’s been revealed that the reboot starring Jamie Foxx as the title character has received a new jolt of energy by hiring some major Marvel and DC talent.

When we last we heard in August 2021, Broken City’s Brian Tucker had been hired to rewrite the Spawn script, but over a year later, Scott Silver and Malcolm Spellman are teaming up with rising writer Matt Mixon to draft a new Spawn script for Blumhouse. Both Silver and Spellman have experience within the comic book movie space; the former co-wrote Joker and its upcoming sequel with director Todd Phillips,  and the latter was the head writer on The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (which can be streamed with a Disney+ subscription) and is now penning Captain America: New World Order with Dalan Musson, who also worked on the Marvel Cinematic Universe limited series. Mixon is best known for helming the 2017 documentary Yesterday Was Everything.

In addition to sharing the news about the new Spawn writers, THR also spoke with Todd McFarlane, who wrote an earlier draft of the reboot and had been looking to direct the Blumhouse flick. However, McFarlane is now willing to drop the helming reins now that Scott Silver, Malcolm Spellman and Matt Mixon have come aboard, saying:

As indicated earlier, Jamie Foxx is still expected to star in Spawn as Al Simmons, the black ops agent who is betrayed and murder, but strikes up a deal with a demon to return to Earth and exact revenge, though he is now severely disfigured and has special abilities. It was also announced in 2018 that Jeremy Renner had joined Spawn to play “Twitch” Williams, an NYPD detective who frequently crosses paths with Spawn in the comics. However, Renner’s involvement now reportedly hinges on how the new Spawn script comes together. McFarlane mentioned that while he originally intended for the Spawn reboot to be a low-budget affair, there might be a little more money thrown in now that a studio partner is being sought out.

This will be the second time that Spawn has cinematically adapted, with Michael Jai White having first portrayed the character on the big screen just five years after the Spawn comic book launched. Alas, the 1997 movie fared poorly critically and commercially, resulting in plans for a sequel being scrapped. Spawn was also voiced by Keith David in an HBO animated series that lasted 18 episodes, and the character had a blink-and-you-miss-it cameo in 2018’s Ready Player One. While the Spawn comic book continues to be published at Image Comics, Blumhouse’s Spawn reboot would certainly boost the character’s profile among the general public. So fingers crossed that with Scott Silver, Malcolm Spellman and Matt Mixon now writing Spawn, this will be the take that finally gets the reboot in front of rolling cameras.

CinemaBlend will pass along more major Spawn updates once they come in, but if you’re itching for more information about comic book film adaptations, browse through out guides detailing upcoming Marvel movies and upcoming DC movies.

For more than half a decade, Spawn creator Todd McFarlane has been working to bring cinematic redemption to his Image Comics character, as Spawn’s 1997 film debut was not critically well received. It’s been a while since we got any significant updates on the Spawn reboot that’s in development over at Blumhouse Productions, but word’s come in that the project has picked up steam thanks to scoring a new writer.

Rather than use the Spawn script that Todd McFarlane wrote himself and completed in February 2016, Brian Tucker, who wrote the Russell Crowe and Mark Wahlberg-led movie Broken City, has been hired to pen a new draft of the reboot. The report didn’t clarify if Tucker’s version of the Spawn reboot will draw from anything McFarlane previously put on paper or if he’s starting from scratch, but this adds another notable property to Tucker’s resume, as he’s also writing The Fugitive remake.

Brian Tucker’s hiring also potentially affects the involvement of Jamie Foxx and Jeremy Renner, who were previously announced to be playing Spawn and Detective Twitch Williams, respectively. Because so many years have passed since they signed on to the Spawn reboot, it’s unclear if the actors are still attached, but insiders told THR that Foxx and Renner could be re-approached after Tucker’s script is finished. Todd McFarlane is still primed to direct the reboot and will produce alongside Blumhouse founder Jason Blum, while Carla Hacken will executive produce.

If Brian Tucker is indeed starting with a clean slate on the new Spawn movie, then folks who’ve been anticipating the project should prepare for the possibility that the final product will look quite different than what Todd McFarlane has been teasing for years. Among the details McFarlane has shared about his version of the Spawn reboot is that it wouldn’t depict the character’s origin, Spawn would communicate in an unusual way and this was intended to be an R-rated movie that would make children cry. But if McFarlane is collaborating with Tucker in any way on the script, then I suspect some elements from McFarlane’s Spawn story will be retained, but we’ll have to wait and see if that’s the case.

This update comes over a year after Jason Blum said there had been had been “an enormous amount of activity” on Spawn, but wasn’t willing to divulge any specifics. Next year marks Spawn’s 30th anniversary, with his ongoing series having been published continuously since that time alongside a number of spinoff series, including the soon-to-launch King Spawn. The character also led his own animated series on HBO in the late ‘90s and cameoed in 2018’s Ready Player One.

As soon as more concrete details about Spawn’s progress are revealed, we here at CinemaBlend will let you know. In the meantime, keep track of movies that are coming in the near future with our 2021 release schedule and 2022 release schedule.

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Celebrity deaths are known for having an effect on the general public. This is especially true for the recent passing of actor Chadwick Boseman, who recently died after a private battle with colon cancer. His death has hit fans hard, especially due to his iconic tenure as Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and status as a real-life hero for many. Plenty of tributes have been pouring in as a result, including in the comics. And that extends to the new issues of Spawn, with creator Todd Mcfarlane transforming Boseman into the titular antihero.

Chadwick Boseman's career and life has been celebrated by countless figures since his sudden death at the end of August. Boseman played a variety of historical Black figures in biopics, and also broke new ground in regards to representation in Ryan Coogler's Black Panther. His loss was felt by countless fans, and the latest tribute to the late actor had added T'Challa to the Spawn universe. Check it out below.

Wakanda forever, indeed. The above image is an awesome crossover moment, where Chadwick Boseman's Black Panther was given the power of Spawn. And while this isn't a pairing that we'll ever see on the big screen, seeing these two comic properties combine is a great way to pay tribute to Boseman's ongoing legacy.

The above image comes to us from the Twitter of Spawn creator Todd McFarlane. While the writer has been busy developing a new silver screen adaptation for his character, Chadwick Boseman's sudden death was a seismic event in the comic book world. Marvel comic put out new issues dedicated to Boseman's memory, and Image Comics followed suit with the above cover art.

Chadwick Boseman's tenure in the MCU can be re-watched on Disney+. You can use this link to sign up for the streaming service.

After revealing the gorgeous Spawn comic book art that pays tribute to Chadwick Boseman's legacy, Todd McFarlane also went on to explain why Black Panther and his character crossed over in this unique way. As he put it,

Well said. Chadwick Boseman's legacy is something that will last years after his death. His starring role as Black Panther in the MCU was a major step forward in regards to diversity and representation in the superhero genre. What's more, Ryan Coogler's blockbuster broke records at the box office, and earned a whopping seven Oscar nominations, taking home awards for its score, costuming, and production design.

CinemaBlend will keep you updated as more tributes honoring Chadwick Boseman's legacy become public. In the meantime, check out our 2020 release list to plan your next movie experience.

Academy Award-winning actor Jamie Foxx has given us a number of great performances in a variety of roles over the years, and it sounds like he’s about to give another one in a Mike Tyson biopic. But while he’s played all kinds of characters, there's one role that he's been campaigning to play for a while -- Spawn. And while the project has had its starts and stops, Foxx still isn't giving up on it, which is great to see.

With the success of Black Panther, Jamie Foxx recently said that there’s never been a better time to make a Spawn reboot happen. His commitment to the project has been impeccable, and it's definitely shone through every step of the way. Here's what he said during that recent interview:

Good grief, just give the man the role already! Obviously, Jamie Foxx is an incredible actor and, with the right script and creative talent, he could knock Spawn out of the park. Honestly, at this point, I think it would be more of a surprise if Foxx didn’t end up being cast.

Jamie Foxx has been campaigning for the role of Al Simmons/Spawn since 2013. Fans undoubtedly know that the role was previously played by Michael Jai White in the 1997 film. However, the actor wasn't seriously considered for the part until several years later when Spawn creator Todd McFarlane signed on with Blumhouse Productions to write and direct the film.

Aside from Jamie Foxx making his case for the role and many fans wanting it, he also has support from within Blumhouse. It turns out Todd McFarlane himself is also on board with Jamie Foxx playing the titular character. Supposedly, Jamie Foxx flew out to see Todd McFarlane just to talk to him about his interest in the character and the movie. Later, Todd McFarlane said that he needed the lead to be able to nail six moments, moments he felt only Jamie Foxx could pull off. That's practically a ringing endorsement.

Unfortunately for both the writer and star, while the new script has been written by Todd McFarlane, things have been slow to take off for the project. Early last year, Todd McFarlane explained the reason for that—money, and he was waiting for everyone to agree on the script before they put in their money. He also said he didn't want too many changes to the script, otherwise, he might just walk away. So that kind of pressure might be slowing things down a bit for Jamie Foxx's Spawn debut.

Fast forward a year and Jason Blum, of Blumhouse Productions, confirmed that Spawn is in active development, but he didn’t have much else to say on the topic except more news could be coming soon.

Despite the ups and downs the project has faced, one just can't help but take note of Jamie Foxx's commitment. Some might say that anyone would obviously want to play a superhero on the big screen, so his campaigning should come as no surprise. However, Spawn isn't exactly a household name and doesn't stand to make the amount of money that a Marvel or DC film would earn at the box office. So taking this into consideration, one would have to conclude that Foxx's motivation isn't money but a sheer love for the character and a desire for further representation in the superhero genre.

It's been a while since we've had a Spawn movie but, hopefully, the folks at Blumhouse can get things worked out so that the character will make his long-awaited return to the cinema. And let's be honest, Jamie Foxx more than deserves it and fans need to see it. Until we hear more news, be sure to stay tuned to CinemaBlend for the latest movie and TV news.

Did you know that there’s a reboot of Spawn in the works? You’d be forgiven for forgetting because it seems like it’s been a while since we’ve heard much about Todd McFarlane’s feature film adaptation of his comic book character. The author and artist finished the script for the film three years ago and partnered with Blumhouse Productions two years ago, but despite all that and even having cast members on board, Spawn still hasn’t went into production. So why is it taking so long?

Well, according to Todd McFarlane, it’s a matter of money and differing creative visions, as he explained:

It seems that Spawn is taking so long because disagreements among all the various parties invested in its production are holding it up. This isn’t an issue of Todd McFarlane not being able to find anyone interested in financing the movie; the money is there, it’s just that those involved need to agree on the script for the film. That’s difficult because as Todd McFarlane told Comicbook.com, everyone has a slightly different version in their head of what Spawn should be.

Those differing visions make getting everyone on the same page to give him the green light a real challenge. The movie doesn’t get made without the money, and because they’re investing in it, the moneymen have a say in what Spawn is. If the script for the film doesn’t work for them, that money disappears. Everyone wants Spawn to be successful and to recoup their investment, but at the moment they seem to be at an impasse.

That's not entirely surprising considering that Todd McFarlane has talked about his Spawn being a low budget, true R-rated superhero film that is meant to make little kids cry and isn't filled with comedy in the way many modern superhero movies are. While that sounds awesome to many of us, to those fronting the bill that probably sounds like a very difficult film to sell.

The result of this is that it essentially sounds like Spawn is being pulled in multiple directions and Todd McFarlane is having to make concessions and changes to his script and his vision to appease those holding the pocket book. This is apparently why the reboot is taking so long; all the various parties are trying to come to an agreement on a creative direction for the film, and that back and forth process takes time.

Todd McFarlane is trying to be accommodating, but that will only extend so far. He seems willing to just walk away if his hand gets forced and he has to make too many changes that alter the core of what he’s trying to do. In the past, Todd McFarlane has been adamant that he write, produce and direct Spawn and that those points are non-negotiable. Although he is apparently making some changes to his script, that staunchness is evident here.

It’s a somewhat understandable position for him. Todd McFarlane has seen his creation ruined in a feature film once before in the 1997 film and he’s clearly not willing to let that happen again, and thus will only allow a small degree of control to be wrested from him.

So now it seems that it is just a waiting game to see if everyone signs off on Todd McFarlane’s script so that it can go into production. Should that happen, Spawn already has some solid talent lined up, assuming of course that this long process doesn’t result in people dropping out.

Todd McFarlane is set to write and direct Spawn (his first feature film) with Jamie Foxx on board to play Al Simmons/Spawn and Jeremy Renner attached to play Twitch Williams. The Walking Dead’s Greg Nicotero and his KNB Group will help handle practical effects and makeup.

No release date has yet been set, but hopefully things get worked out and that happens soon. We’ll keep you updated as the Spawn reboot makes its long journey to the big screen. In the meantime check out our 2019 Release Schedule to see what’s headed to theaters this year.

Sony's Venom was the symbiote's second outing on the big screen following his disappointing turn in Spider-Man 3, and this version much more closely resembled the character who has been gracing comic book pages since the late '80s. Yet, while Venom in Ruben Fleischer's film looked closer to what Todd McFarlane co-created, the comics legend was totally hands off for the movie, as he explained:

Todd McFarlane wasn't involved in Sony's movie, but his attitude about others deciding what to do with a character he helped create is a generous one and shows that he is not overprotective or selfish about Venom. The comic creator is willing to share his toys and doesn't feel the need to throw his weight around, complain or say to the filmmakers that they should really be doing things a different way.

Of course, Todd McFarlane has his preferences and he liked Venom's depiction of the character more than in Spider-Man 3 because the character was big like he designed him, but he's still fine with sitting back and letting others have a turn. So he was happy to see a big Venom onscreen even if the character didn't have his traditional chest logo. As he told Heroic Hollywood, Todd McFarlane likes to watch other people take a character he helped create and see what they do with him.

It's a really cool way of thinking about things, because although he may not have been involved in Venom, he got to see how something he created inspired other people to do something different. Todd McFarlane actually likes seeing other creatives put their personal touches on his character and all the countless permutations that can arise from one base idea.

When Todd McFarlane came in to the Spider-Man comics, the alien suit already existed; it was McFarlane and writer David Michelinie that made Venom. So he knows what it is like to take something someone else created and run with it in new and exciting directions. It is commonplace for creative teams to come and go from different comics, and when those comics get adapted to films and other mediums, other people are having their input.

Spider-Man's Stan Lee and Steve Ditko are gone, as are Batman's Bob Kane and Bill Finger, but they each wove the first thread in what has become a massive, never to be finished tapestry, where many people have wove their own pieces that all make up the history and mythology of their respective characters.

Todd McFarlane may like to see what other people do with his characters, but he still likes do things with them himself. The comic creator is currently working to reboot his character Spawn on the big screen in a film that he would both write and direct. In that instance, Todd McFarlane will be completely hands on.

Venom is now available for home video on both digital and physical formats. Todd McFarlane's Spawn hasn't begun shooting yet, but it looks to be shooting for a 2019 release date. For all of the movies definitely hitting next year, check out our 2019 release schedule.

Although Venom has proven itself to be an outstanding commercial success since being released in October, critically speaking, the movie has fared poorly. Most of the reviews for the symbiote-powered adventure have been negative, but Todd McFarlane, who co-created Venom for Marvel Comics with David Michelinie, thinks that the critics are wrong about this one, something he attributes to their age. In McFarlane's words:

So from Todd McFarlane's perspective, he thinks that the critics are overthinking Venom and not taking into account how the younger crowd will feel about it, or even how those same critics would react if they were watching the movie as a teen. Describing Venom as a "big roller coaster ride" with everything "coming at you" visually, McFarlane was clearly happy with Venom's entertainment value, and thinks that critics would be better off focusing on that aspect rather than the overall quality.

The issue with this mindset is that not all of the critics who gave Venom bad reviews are in their 40s. Look around and you'll see that there were plenty of younger people who didn't like Eddie Brock's cinematic tale. Obviously taste if subjective with movies and any art form, and if you liked Venom, you're welcome to that opinion. But the negative reaction towards Venom isn't something that's limited to older audiences. I myself found Venom to be like The Room of comic book movies: bad, but incredibly entertaining.

In any case, Todd McFarlane was pleased with how Venom turned out, saying during his conversation with Yahoo that the movie succeeded with giving him a depiction of the character that matched how McFarlane first illustrated him three decades ago in the pages of Amazing Spider-Man. As McFarlane put it:

Todd McFarlane then briefly talked about the previous cinematic depiction of Venom: 2007's Spider-Man 3, where Eddie Brock was played by Topher Grace. In McFarlane's opinion, that Venom "didn't really add a lot of weight" because of his reduced size. The artist specifically designed Venom to be bigger to make it feel like Peter Parker was going up against an elephant and requiring the Web-Slinger to use brains over brawn to defeat said elephant. This latest cinematic Venom definitely wasn't lacking in size, although his debut saw him using his power against fellow symbiote Riot rather than Spider-Man.

Venom ranks at 28% on Rotten Tomatoes, but critical reception clearly hasn't affected its box office draw. Made off a budget somewhere between $100-$116 million, Venom has hauled in more than $854 million worldwide, making it the 10th highest-grossing movie in the United States this year and the fifth-highest grossing worldwide. Venom has performed particularly well in China has even managed to outgross 2002's Spider-Man and Wonder Woman. Venom is now available on home media too, a mere two months after arriving in theaters, so who knows how much more money that will tack on.

Although a Venom movie has been in development in one form or another ever since Spider-Man 3 was released, the version that made it to theaters saw Eddie Brock's origin story with the symbiote unfolding without Spider-Man's involvement, a sharp departure from the comics. It's still unclear whether or not Tom Hardy's Venom and the Web-Slinger, whether he's played by Tom Holland or a different actor, will ever cross paths, but clearly Spidey's absence didn't hinder people from flocking to see Venom on the big screen.

Despite its less-than-stellar critical reaction, Venom's impressive commercial performance means that a sequel is almost certainly on the way. Sony hasn't officially announced that it's given Venom 2 the green light yet, but the studio did schedule an "untitled Sony-Marvel sequel" for October 2, 2020. Assuming this is Venom 2, that will make it the third entry in Sony's live action Spider-Man-less cinematic universe, following behind an ""untitled Sony-Marvel project" that's coming out on July 10, 2020, which is expected to be the Jared Leto-led Morbius.

Venom certainly set the stage for a sequel through its mid-credits scene, as Eddie Brock was seen meeting incarcerated serial killer Cletus Kasady, played by Woody Harrelson in a ridiculous wig. As comic book fans know, Cletus is the main host of the Carnage symbiote in the comics, and since Harrelson's Cletus blatantly said there would be carnage once he escaped, we can be sure that when Tom Hardy's Venom returns to the big screen, he'll be clashing with Carnage, who lacks any moral compass.

There's no word yet on if director Ruben Fleischer would return for Venom 2, but writer Jeff Pinker has already revealed that he won't be writing a sequel. I do wonder if Venom's critical reaction will be taken into account when this new story is being crafted. Will a concerted effort be made to "improve" the story and make it more palatable for critics, or will they stick to the same formula that worked for Venom?

As for Todd McFarlane, while he doesn't appear to have any direct involvement with Venom's cinematic future, he's hard at work trying to bring another one of his creations back to theaters. McFarlane has written and will direct a Spawn reboot, with Jamie Foxx attached to play the eponymous demon. That project is tentatively scheduled to begin production next summer.

You can catch Venom on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD now, and be sure to read CinemaBlend's review of the movie. Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for more coverage on this movie and any updates on Venom 2. If you want to find out what movies are heading to theaters next year, look through our 2019 release schedule.

It looks like Spawn might finally be making his way into the world of Mortal Kombat, and that's coming directly from the character's creator, Todd McFarlane. An agent of hell punching faces in Outworld? Yes, please.

Todd McFarlane -- best known for creating Spawn, co-creating Venom, and even being the first guy to draw Spider-Man moving around more like a spider than a man -- recently popped onto Reddit to host an Ask Me Anything with the community. Despite the fact that he even introduced himself as "co-creator of Venom," the big question that popped to the top of the conversation was whether or not Spawn will make an appearance in the upcoming fighting game, Mortal Kombat 11.

Todd McFarlane is a pretty direct guy and simply said, "I believe he's on his way..." Plenty of folks shared their enthusiasm for the news in the following comments, along with requests to see Spawn in another standalone game at some point.

If you're unfamiliar with the character of Spawn, he's actually a perfect fit for the Mortal Kombat universe. A soldier with a lot of guilt on his shoulders known as Al Simmons in life, this perfect killing machine was murdered by his best friend and then recruited to serve as a leader in Hell's army. The character has an extremely sinister design, complete with a cape and chains that can be used in all sorts of violent ways.

Spawn has been going strong in comic form for decades, had a popular anime based on him, and has even appeared in the SoulCalibur fighting game series. There was also a live-action movie that got terrible reviews but, hey, I kind of loved it as a kid. Given the fact that a new Spawn movie is in the works, it makes sense that Todd McFarlane would want to get the character back out in conversation.

But while plenty of other characters have appeared in Mortal Kombat games -- Predator, Jason Voorhees, Freddy Krueger, and more -- Spawn has always been on the player wish-list but never invited to the fight. It's worth noting, however, that a deal was struck back in 2015 to get Spawn into Mortal Kombat X but, for reasons unknown, that never actually happened. But with that arrangement in place and based on Todd McFarlane's claim that he believes it's going down this time around, maybe we'll finally get the brutal badass in Mortal Kombat 11.

As for the new Mortal Kombat, it's coming out very soon -- even though it was only just recently announced. During last week's airing of The Game Awards, Ed Boon walked out on stage to present the honors for the best sports/racing game. In the middle of his presentation, though, the lights went down and we got an official announcement for MK11, which is due out on April 23 for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC and, somehow, even the Nintendo Switch.

Todd McFarlane has been very open about his Spawn movie being scarier and more graphic than your average superhero effort. He even said Deadpool was essentially a PG-13 movie with some butts and F-bombs. So, the idea of pushing the boundaries has never really been in question, but some fans were still surprised this week when the director took it a step further, saying he's interested in making the type of movie that would make children under 10 cry.

Here's a quote he dropped at New York Comic-Con, courtesy of IGN...

Not to pick on any specific movie, but I think McFarlane's larger frustration here isn't necessarily with the end results as much as some of the things directors and producers say while films are being made. They tend to hype these projects up to try and appeal to certain elements of the fanbase and go on and on about how "gritty" or "dark" the movies are, but usually, they're only a little grittier or a little darker than other superhero movies that have come before, not grittier or darker than actual dramas or sci-fi movies critics might describe as "gritty" or "dark".

As for where this leaves Spawn, the jury is still out. It's safe to say the final product will be pretty intense, but will it be intense to the point it turns off your average moviegoer? Or will it be on the right side of the line for most adults but simply too much for younger children? We shall see.

The new Spawn movie is short on details at this point. We know it will star Jamie Foxx as the main character and Jeremy Renner as Twitch Williams and has been earmarked for a 2019 release. Thanks to McFarlane's comments, we know it'll be pretty extreme and may even feel like a horror movie at parts. He's said in the past Spawn might not actually be featured in any of the trailers. The whole thing sounds really original and exciting, but as with all movies, every exciting idea is ultimately rendered meaningless if the final product doesn't fulfill any of the lofty goals.

We'll keep you updated as more information emerges. Until then, think of all the despicable things and cross your fingers they'll be found in Spawn's final runtime.

The 1990's were a time when looking cool was paramount for new comic book characters. And that decade spawned a ton of characters who simply put, looked awesome. The likes of Deadpool, Carnage and Cable all made their debuts at this time. But perhaps no character looked as unbelievably badass as Spawn. The character's popularity saw him get a big screen adaptation that preceded even Blade. Now, over two decades removed from that ill-received cinematic effort, Spawn is finally heading back to the big screen. But this time his badass look might be different from what we are expecting. Todd McFarlane explained what we can expect from the new Spawn costume, saying:

Spawn has to have his cape so everyone can breathe a sigh of relief that he still will in this new film. Speaking with ComicBook.com here, Todd McFarlane seems to be implying that although the new Spawn portrayed by Jamie Foxx will retain some of the character's signature visual elements, he will not look exactly like him. This new Spawn won't be directly ripped from the pages of the comic and put onscreen. However he also won't be completely unrecognizable. I wouldn't expect to see a bright and fluffy Hellspawn.

How the changes will manifest is anyone's guess, but it sounds like the actual design will be different. Perhaps the lines of the mask or the cape or some of the colors will be changed, but will still retain the spirit of the character. Todd McFarlane has been teasing a horror-inspired movie where Spawn will mostly function from the shadows, so we might not get a clear look at the character's costume until late into its runtime.

Costumes rank up there with casting as things that comic book movie fans sometimes jump to conclusions about, sometimes causing the community freak out prematurely. It's ultimately coin toss as to whether criticism was premature, or the fandom's fears become fully realized. This all gets back to a desire for faithfulness to the source material, which helped to create the audience in the first place. Too much deviation from that can seem like a bastardization. The situation with Spawn is especially unique because the man writing, directing and bringing this character back to life on the big screen is the very man who created him in the first place, Todd McFarlane. So you've got to think that whatever he does with Spawn's costume, it will remain true to the spirit of the character and probably look ridiculously badass.

In addition to Jamie Foxx as the demonic anti-hero, Spawn will also star Jeremy Renner as Max "Twitch" Williams, and The Walking Dead's special effects and makeup artist Greg Nicotero and his KNB group have signed on to work on Todd McFarlane's reboot. The R-rated Spawn is expected to be shooting for a 2019 release but we don't have an exact date yet. CinemaBlend will keep you updated on the latest from the new Spawn and you can check out movies hitting theaters still this year in our premiere guide.

While a look back at 1997's Spawn might certainly send chills down spines, it won't for the reasons intended by creator of the Image Comics character, Todd McFarlane. The poorly-received superhero flick was incredibly cheesy, especially for a story about a character who has just come back from a stint in hell. Now under Blumhouse Productions with McFarlane as writer and director of the upcoming Spawn reboot, however, the new movie should conjure up some truly entertaining frights. That's especially true now that special effects legend and Walking Dead special effects makeup artist Greg Nicotero and his KNB Group have signed on to work on the antihero film. McFarlane shared his enthusiasm to have Nicotero on the project with him, saying,

With Jamie Foxx as the titular antihero and Jeremy Renner as "Twitch" Williams in the live-action comic book adaptation, Todd McFarlane's announcement to ComicBook adds some more excitement to the film. Greg Nicotero not only worked on the original Spawn film in the '90s, but he has generated quite the name for himself in special effects as he has worked hard on zombie makeup in other comic genre ventures such as The Walking Dead, Fear the Walking Dead, Preacher and Sin City among his long and impressive resume. McFarlane may not have a big budget, but implementing practical effects with the help of a pro like Nicotero and his team seems like a natural decision for the director to make for this project.

Todd McFarlane and Greg Nicotero have been friends since the original Spawn movie and are now collaborating again, over 20 years later. However, McFarlane is not going for the same approach that the filmmakers took when creating the first live-action Spawn film. The team took about six weeks to come up with the concept art, which is going to implement much more horror elements and likely veer toward R-rated material. With plans underway for the visual look of the upcoming Spawn, McFarlane hopes to begin production on the project in early 2019, but the film has yet to get a release date.

With superhero movies and major franchises proving the most profitable genre in filmmaking, every studio is trying to get in on the action. For Sony, this includes its still infant Spider-Man universe, which will be largely disconnected from the MCU, and the famous wall crawler. The first of these movies is Ruben Fleischer's Venom, starring Tom Hardy as the title character. Comic book creator and artist Todd McFarlane created the symbiote, and seems thoroughly jazzed about the movie's upcoming release. But that doesn't mean he wouldn't tweak Venom's look if he could. McFarlane recently posted a Facebook video showing what changed he'd make to Venom's CGI rendering, and its thoroughly delightful. I mean, just listen to his sound affects.

It's Todd McFarlane's type of childlike wonder that so represents the comic fandom. It's a community that has filled endless halls and convention centers, and what keeps the genre so viable over the years. But as so many comic fans feel about big screen adaptions, McFarlane has ideas for how Venom could be closer to the source material.

Todd McFarlane's video shows the writer and illustrator editing a shot from the upcoming Venom movie, in an attempt to make the fan favorite symbiote creature closer to his original rendering. McFarlane does this with a few details, primarily Venom's eyes. First he extends the tip of the large white eyes, therefore putting them a bit closer together. This was a purposeful choice by McFarland when he was creating the character, believing that it made Venom more animal-like and scary. He also changed the overall shape, extending the eyes into half moons. This allowed for more overall black in the character's face, and transforming Venom's appearance in just a few short strokes.

Aside from Venom's eyes, Todd McFarlane also changed how the character's mouth was rendered. He prefers less of a smile from the symbiote character, therefore hiding some of his rows of teeth. If you can't watch the full video, here's more of what the writer had to say.

Todd McFarlane mostly thinks Venom's appearance works, and he is admittedly excited about his character's upcoming live-action solo film. Actor/director Elizabeth Banks threw some shade Venom's way when the character's first appearance was revealed in the full trailer. She claimed Venom's tongue looked strangely phallic, and essentially broke the internet with just one tweet as other famous figures responded and riffed off her joke.

The pressure is on for Ruben Fleischer to deliver with Venom, and hopefully herald Sony's Spider-Verse and a new franchise for Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams, and the rest of the cast. The trailers and first looks have been met with varying levels of success, so we'll just have to wait and see what the final product looks like.

Venom will arrive in theaters on October 5, 2018. In the meantime, check out our 2018 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

Superhero properties are continuing to be the most profitable genre in filmmaking, so there's plenty of comic book adaptations coming to the silver screen. While most of them are in behemoth properties like the Marvel Cinematic Universe or DC Extended Universe, there are certain franchises operating on their own. Perhaps the most obvious is Todd McFarlane's developing Spawn movie, based off the dark character he created. McFarlane will be directing and writing the project, and has enlisted talent like Jamie Foxx and Jeremy Renner to lead the cast. And now it looks like a major Walking Dead contributor is joining the project: makeup supervisor and director Greg Nicotero.

It's been an exciting few weeks for the Spawn movie, and things are finally moving forward as a team of cast and crew are being assembled. Now Greg Nicotero has reportedly joined the upcoming supernatural horror flick to handle the makeup. Walking Dead fans know what fantastic work he's capable of, so this is an exciting indication of what might come from Todd McFarlane's upcoming flick.

Reports of Greg Nictero's involvement in Spawn come from Omega Underground, and have yet to be officially confirmed by Todd McFarlane or anyone from the team. But it does stand to reason. After all, Nicotero actually worked on the original 1997 movie, working on animatronic creature effects and special makeup effects. Now that he's a giant success from The Walking Dead, having Nicotero's potential involvement in Spawn may help drum up more excitement for the developing movie.

Greg Nicotero has made his long career in Hollywood, creating some of the most grisly and bloody scenes in film history. Starting with George Romano's Day of the Dead, he's been involved in every bloody project from Tarantino's Kill Bill and The Hateful Eight, to horror classics like the Scream franchise. The Walking Dead is currently his bread and butter, as Nicotero is constantly challenged to make new and exciting zombies. He's also a director on the show, having helmed 26 episodes to date.

Scott MacFarland's upcoming Spawn movie is going to be in stark juxtaposition with the 1997 film. It seems the titular character will function largely as a mysterious shadow, with the signature body and costume not necessarily coming into play. MacFarland has teased he's shooting for an R-Rated supernatural horror film, so don't expect heroes in tights duking it out across epic landscapes. Spawn's trying something new, and it might be exactly what the comic book genre needs. We'll just have to see if Fox gets ahead of the horror/superhero subgenre with The New Mutants.

CinemBlend will update you on all things Spawn. In the meantime, check out our 2018 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

Back in late May, Jamie Foxx - who previously played Electro in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 - joined the cast of the Spawn reboot to play the titular anti-hero... but it seems that the production isn't done adding comic book movie veterans to the ensemble. It's now being confirmed that the film is now adding Jeremy Renner, best known at this point for playing Clint Barton a.k.a. Hawkeye in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Deadline has the details of the casting, noting that Jeremy Renner will be playing the role of Detective 'Twitch' Williams in the movie. The Blumhouse Studios production will mark the directorial debut of comic book legend Todd MacFarlane, who has been developing the feature for a number of years. The story follows Al Simmons (Jamie Foxx), a CIA Black Ops killer who is double-crossed, murdered, and sent to hell. While there he makes a deal with the devil to return his soul to Earth - but doing some contracts him as a hellspawn - a minion of the dark underworld responsible for collecting evil souls.

Essentially waging a war against evil on Earth isn't exactly a mission that can be achieved alone, however, which is where Twitch Williams comes in. He is an NYPD homicide detective, and partnered with his best friend Sam Burke they help Spawn achieve his goals. He is not only a brilliant mathematician and essentially fearless, but he also happens to be a shooting prodigy and is often depicted utilizing a set of twin pistols in battle. We assume that Sam will be a part of the new Spawn movie as well, but we do not yet know who will be playing him.

With the exception of his work with The Avengers, Jeremy Renner has mostly been sticking to non-blockbusters in recent years. Since Captain America: Civil War in summer 2016, his work has been more focused on smaller and more dramatic fare, such as Denis Villineuve's Arrival, Taylor Sheridan's Wind River, and Jeff Tomsic's Tag. Marvel fans were shocked earlier this year when Hawkeye didn't even make a momentary appearance in Avengers: Infinity War, and he won't be in the upcoming Mission: Impossible - Fallout either, but he will be back in tentpole mode next May when he will reprise his most popular part in the untitled Avengers 4.

According to the new trade report, the next step for Spawn will be figuring out its distributor - which shouldn't be too hard given the popularity of comic book properties at the moment. The movie is going to be made with a much smaller budget than most superhero adaptations, looking at something in the $10-12 million range, and it will be R-Rated. We're following this project very closely here on CinemaBlend, so be on the look out for all of the latest updates in the days, weeks, and months ahead.

Venom and Spawn may hail from different comic book companies, but both characters have one thing in common: Todd McFarlane. McFarlane co-created the symbiote-powered villain/anti-hero for Marvel with David Michelinie, and a few years later, he brought Al Simmons' demonic self to life over at Image Comics. Because they exist in different fictional universes, the chances of Venom and Spawn crossing over on the big screen are slim, but McFarlane already has an idea on this could be pulled off. As he sees it, Sony Pictures, which is releasing the Venom movie later this year, just needs to distribute the upcoming Spawn reboot, thus putting the characters under the same studio umbrella. McFarlane explained:

After years of languishing in development, it was announced at last year at San Diego Comic-Con that the Spawn reboot, which Todd McFarlane is writing and directing, is finally moving forward at Blumhouse Productions, but it has yet to be revealed which studio will distribute it. Meanwhile, Sony is releasing Venom as the first movie in its lineup of Spider-Man spinoffs that don't actually include the Web-Slinger. But as McFarlane told Comic Book Resources, if Venom ends up being successful, then Sony would be wise to bring Spawn into the fold so that it could have two of his most famous creations as part of its cinematic offerings. From there, if Sony wanted, it could pair Venom and Spawn together in a crossover event, and I would imagine that McFarlane would play some kind of role in bringing that story to life.

The comic book version of Spawn is certainly no stranger to crossovers with characters from other companies, as he teamed up with Batman twice in the printed pages. However, even if Sony oversaw both the Venom and Spawn film series, there's no guarantee that they would ever meet on the big screen. In the coming years, at least, the studio will no doubt want to see these characters carry movies on their own, and in Venom's case, he'll probably team up other Spider-Man characters long before crossing paths with Spawn. Still, if Sony decides to distribute the Spawn reboot, at least the option would be on the table.

While Spawn doesn't have an assigned release date yet, production is expected to begin later this year, with Jamie Foxx occupying the eponymous role. As for Venom, which stars Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock, it will be released in theaters on October 5. Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for updates on both comic book movies.

Even though Marvel and DC have the market cornered when it comes to comic book movies, every now and then moviegoers are treated to a cinematic tale that hails from a different company. Over in the Image Comics realm, arguably its most popular character, Spawn, is still leading his own comic book series after more than two decades, but his first theatrical outing back in 1997 was not received well, to put it lightly. Fortunately for fans of Spawn, he will soon be getting some much needed cinematic redemption.

It was announced at the 2017 San Diego Comic-Con that the long-awaited Spawn reboot is finally moving forward at Blumhouse Productions, and since then we've slowly learned how this movie will differentiate itself from the first Spawn movie. With that in mind, here's everything that's been revealed so far about the new Spawn.

What Is Spawn's Release Date?

Currently, Spawn doesn't have a release date assigned, but it sounds like we won't have to wait several years for it to come out. Before the reboot's main star had been cast, it had been reported that production was aiming to begin in August. Now that we know who's playing this new Spawn (we'll get to him later), that likely means we'll soon find out who else is rounding out the cast. That means there's a good chance that Spawn will meet that August production start, and since this reboot is working with a lower budget (like most Blumhouse productions), it's not like the post-production process is going to be extremely lengthy. Therefore, Spawn will probably be ready for release in 2019, and if I were a betting man, I'd say it will come out in either late September or October to fit in with all the spookiness of that time of year.

What Is Spawn's Rating?

Technically, Spawn hasn't been rated by the MPAA yet, but it's practically guaranteed that it will walk away with an R rating. First off, look at the source material. With all the violence and demonic elements in the Spawn comic books, you wouldn't be able to pull off a proper cinematic adaptation within the confines of a PG-13 rating. This is, undoubtedly, one of the reasons why the 1997 Spawn movie failed to be a critical hit, as it tried to appeal to both adults and moviegoers on the younger side of the spectrum (although an R-rated director's cut was later released). Rather than repeat that mistake, the Spawn reboot will waste no effort in aiming for an R rating. Spawn is a scary property, and with Blumhouse Productions having a good track record with horror and thriller movies, that, ideally, bodes well for Spawn finally being adapted properly for the big screen.

Who Is Spawn's Director?

Rather than let someone else handle his creation again, Todd McFarlane will oversee the Spawn reboot's production. That's right, the man who brought Spawn to the Image Comics pages more than 25 years ago wrote the script for the new Spawn movie and will also direct it. In addition to creating Spawn, McFarlane's other notable comic book credits include illustrating The Amazing Spider-Man series at Marvel (during which time he co-created Venom alongside writer David Michelinie) and being one of the illustrators on Batman: Year Two over at DC Comics. Although McFarlane does have some experience working in the television realm (more on that later), the Spawn reboot will mark his first major foray into the world of film, which includes this serving as his directorial debut. Another notable comic book creator who directed a film based on his own creation was Frank Miller with the Sin City movies, although he co-helmed them with Robert Rodriguez, while McFarlane is going at it solo. However, Miller also went on to write and direct The Spirit (created by Will Eisner) by himself, only for that to be a critical and commercial failure. So, here's hoping that McFarlane has better luck with Spawn.

What Is Spawn About?

So far no specific details about the Spawn reboot have come out yet, but some tidbits have come out regarding how this movie will differ from its predecessor. First off, rather than show Al Simmons being turned into this demonic antihero while in Hell and tossed back to Earth, the new movie will not be an origin story. When we first see Spawn in this tale, he'll have already been this way for some time. In fact, who knows how much, if any, of Spawn's past will be explored. And despite the name of the movie and the character's prominence in the story, Spawn also won't technically be the main character. Instead, we'll follow along with two main human characters, who will serve as the audience's eyes, so to speak. Beyond that, it's unclear what villain or threat Spawn and these human characters will be dealing with, but whatever demonic craziness goes down, it'll happen in New York City (even though, by Todd McFarlane's admission, the movie's main shoot will end up happening in places like Detroit, Cleveland or Toronto).

Spawn

Before he was running around in a cape and looking all kinds of ugly, the entity we know as Spawn was Al Simmons, a Marine who was recruited into a black ops CIA program. When Al started questioning the morality of the CIA's operations, Jason Wynn, the head of the United States Security Group, tasked Bruce Stinson, a.k.a. Chapel, Al's friend and partner, with killing Al. Because he had assassinated so many people during his life, Al was sent to Hell. However, in exchange for giving up his soul and becoming a Hellspawn, Al was able to return to Earth. Unfortunately for him, on top of now being a caped demon, Al came back five years after his death, and during that time Al's wife, Wanda Blake, had married Al's best friend, Terry Fitzgerald, and together they had a daughter named Cyan. Al was also brought back as an amnesiac, though he soon regained his memories. As Spawn, Al boasts numerous special powers, which include super strength, immortality, a healing factor, shapeshifting, phasing and harnessing necroplasmic energy.

As mentioned earlier, the Spawn reboot won't be an origin story, so even if we do see snippet of a human-looking Al, don't expect this particular story to shed a lot of light on his past. As for who will occupy the eponymous role, that honor belongs to Jamie Foxx, who already has some comic book experience under his belt from playing Max Dillon, a.k.a. Electro, in 2014's The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Foxx is still one of Hollywood's biggest stars, so for him to be leading Spawn is a major score for Todd McFarlane and Blumhouse. That said, Foxx has also been interested in playing Spawn since 2013, so he'll bringing a lot of enthusiasm to the role. One especially interesting thing to note is that Foxx's Spawn will not say a word during the movie, though McFarlane has clarified that the character will communicate in a special way.

Twitch Williams

The only other established character who's been confirmed for the Spawn reboot so far is Detective Maximillian "Twitch" Williams, who has been part of the Spawn mythology since the beginning. In the comics, Twitch is paired with Detective Sam Burke, with Sam serving as the brawn and Twitch serving as the brains. Although Sam and Twitch are best known as supporting characters in the Spawn comic book, the NYPD duo became popular enough to lead their own series for a few years.

The Spawn reboot's version of Twitch hasn't been cast yet, but unlike his printed page counterpart, he won't be paired with Sam. Well, not at first. Todd McFarlane said that instead Twitch will be paired with a different partner who's "quasi-Sam." The only other thing we know about the cinematic Twitch is he will be the main human character of the movie, so we'll get to know him quite well. There's no word yet on who will play Twitch, but if production is beginning relatively soon, we shouldn't have to wait much longer to learn the actor's identity.

What Other Characters Might Appear In Spawn

Along with Spawn and Twitch, Todd McFarlane has said that the Spawn reboot will feature a female lead who's "not a love interest or any of the typical movie tropes," but he wouldn't identify who she is. So, for now, that's all we have to work with cast-wise. However, at over 286 issues and counting (and that's not including spinoff series), the Spawn mythology is one of the most rich across the comic book genre, so there's definitely no shortage of characters that this movie could throw in. Though, if Spawn's origin isn't going to be deeply explored, that probably rules out folks like Wanda Blake, Terry Fitzgerald and Jason Flynn from appearing.

There are three characters in particular I suspect stand a decent chance of appearing in the reboot, though I wouldn't expect all three of them to be participating together. First, we have Malebolgia, the entity responsible for creating Spawn. Malebolgia is one of the many rulers of Hell (he hails from its Eighth Circle), and while he initially assumed the transformed Al Simmons would be one of his many minions, eventually Spawn was the one who decapitated him (although Malebolgia was later resurrected). Even if we don't learn the details about Spawn's past in the movie, I wouldn't be surprised if Malebolgia is the threat that our hero is working to neutralize from the shadows.

Second is The Violator, who's known in his human form simply as Clown. The oldest of five demon siblings known as the Phlebiac Brother, he was was initially charged with training fresh Hellspawn so they could lead Hell's armies, but ever since he first looked after Al Simmons, he's continually tried to prove that demons are far superior to Hellspawn for this task. Violator has been the most recurring villain in the Spawn mythos, continually manipulating and toying with the protagonist. Like Malebolgia, Violator could easily work as Spawn's main antagonist, although it might be wiser to use him as a supporting baddie in this movie and have him graduate to the big villain in a sequel.

Finally, there's Cogliostro. Initially, he was Spawn's mentor, as he too was a Hellspawn who had escaped Malebolgia's grasp. Initially presenting himself as a homeless man, Cogliostro has used what little necroplasmic energy he had left to stay alive for centuries on Earth, but upon crossing paths with Spawn, he began advising him on how to use his powers for good rather than in the service of evil. However, it was later revealed that Cogliostro was Cain. Yes, the same Cain from The Bible. It turns out that all his time he had been working to become the new ruler of Hell, and he ultimately succeeded. For the sake of the Spawn reboot, it would probably be best just to keep him as the mentor figure, and if he returned for another movie, then his past could slowly be revealed. Of course, if Cogliostro were to appear in the Spawn reboot, an arrangement would need to be worked out with Neil Gaiman, as he owns 50% of the character.

It's worth a reminder that like other Blumhouse films, Spawn isn't working with a large budget, and who knows how much money it will cost to make the eponymous character look realistic and terrifying. So, while there's a good chance that at least one or a few other mystical characters will show up, don't expect the visual effects in this movie to be as crazy as what you'd see in a Marvel or DC movie. That being said, there's that old saying, "A little goes a long way," so maybe Blumhouse will still be able to work visual magic with its smaller budget.

Previous Spawn Depictions

As mentioned earlier, Blumhouse's Spawn movie isn't the first time the character has appeared outside of the comics. Only five years after his printed page debut, Spawn starred in his own blockbuster movie, with Michael Jai White in the title role and the supporting cast including John Leguizamo, Martin Sheen, Theresa Randle, Nicol Williamson and D.B. Sweeney. The movie was a straightforward origin story, but it only made $87.8 million worldwide and was met with a lot of negative reviews. Fortunately, from what's been revealed so far, it sounds like this reboot will feel significantly different from its predecessor, akin to the tonal differences between Batman Begins and the Tim Burton/Joel Schumacher Batman movies. Spawn also cameoed earlier this year in Ready Player One during the climactic conflict in the OASIS.

Away from the silver screen, Spawn led his own animated series on HBO, which aired three seasons of six episodes each from 1997 to 1999. Featuring Keith David as the voice of Spawn, this series earned a much better critical reception than the first Spawn movie, and it's available on HBO's streaming platforms for anyone who wishes to check it out. Spawn also starred in several video games between 1995 and 2003, which included being a guest character on the Xbox version of Soulcaliber II. It's also worth mentioning that there is a Sam and Twitch TV series has been in development for BBC America since 2017. Spawn himself isn't expected to show up, but if it's like the duo's comic book series, it would be a procedural mixed with supernatural elements.

The superhero genre is currently in overdrive with the recent releases of films like Avengers: Infinity War and Deadpool 2. That said, audiences will get something noticably different from Blumhouse when Todd McFarlane's Spawn makes its theatrical debut. Much has already been said about the fact that the Jamie Foxx-fronted Spawn movie won't be anything like traditional comic book movies, and McFarlane recently opened up and admitted that we would not even see this new incarnation of Spawn until the movie debuts. In an interview, McFarlane said:

In stark contrast to most other comic book heroes, Spawn is more of a deadly boogeyman who lurks in the dark than a wholly good symbol of hope. True to that nature, it looks like we won't get any good looks at the titular badass in the film's marketing campaign, and the film itself won't include any of those traditional "hero shots" that we have become used to seeing in projects from the Marvel Cinematic Universe or the DC Extended Universe.

Todd McFarlane has talked about this idea before. In fact, earlier this year he drew comparisons to Jaws by emphasizing the shark-like, predatory nature of Spawn in the new movie. However, these new remarks take it one step further by fleshing out just how little of Spawn we will actually see in the film. In fact, elsewhere in Todd McFarlane's comments to Syfy Wire, he made sure to note that Jamie Foxx won't be his usual charming self as Spawn, so don't expect much wise-cracking in this take on the demonic entity.

Of course, Todd McFarlane's emphasis on the horror genre stylings of Spawn makes sense when we consider the creative forces behind the film. Spawn is being developed over at Blumhouse, which has made a name for itself with successful scary romps like Split, Happy Death Day and the Insidious franchise. Blumhouse is a company that knows how to create and sell a creepy film, so leaning into this specific genre arguably seems perfectly in-line with Blumhouse's MO.

Make sure to stay tuned for more updates about Todd McFarlane's upcoming hard-R Spawn reboot as new information related to the film is made available to us. Until we learn more about the film, you can head over to our movie premiere guide to get more details on the movies set to debut in 2018!

Like any good reboot, the upcoming Spawn is taking steps to ensure that there's enough different about it from what came before. While there will still be some superhero elements in the reboot, it will be more firmly rooted in the horror genre than its 1997 predecessor. Spawn creator Todd McFarlane, who's directing the new movie, also recently said that this version of the character will not speak. However, that doesn't mean we won't be able to understand Spawn, and McFarlane has elaborated on how the protagonist will communicate, saying:

So in sharp contrast with Michael Jai White's Spawn, who spoke like a normal human after dying and being reborn as a demonic creature, this new version of Spawn won't be going around being a chatterbox. I'm sure I'm not alone in saying I'm glad they he won't be loudly boasting his arrival when he's fighting the forces of evil in the Blumhouse production. Fortunately, we'll still have insight into Spawn's thoughts and feelings. While McFarlane didn't directly reveal to Comicbook.com exactly how Spawn will communicate, he did note that longtime fans of the Spawn comic book will be able to figure out how this will be accomplished. As McFarlane put it:

Although Spawn will obviously have a heavy presence of the upcoming reboot, he will not be the main character. Todd McFarlane also recently said that the movie will have a heavily police presence, primarily represented through Detective Maximillian "Twitch" Williams. So whenever Twitch and his fellow law enforcement officers run into Spawn on the streets of New York City, they're not going to hear a word from this terrifying being. Given how little we know about the movie, it remains to be seen if this "voice" will allow the human characters to understand Spawn or if only the audience will be directly clued in on what he's thinking and feeling. Either way, no doubt this "voice" will be one of the many ways that the Spawn reboot will supply creepiness and earn its hardcore R rating.

Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for more updates on how the Spawn reboot is coming along. In the meantime, take a look through our 2018 premiere guide to plan your trips to the movie theater this year accordingly.

Marvel and DC may be putting out multiple superhero movies a year, but there are other smaller superhero projects worthy of attention. Supernatural anti-hero Spawn is one of them. Todd MacFarlane has been attempting to get his original creation a big screen redemption, and the project gained serious steam when it was picked up by Blumhouse. The Spawn reboot is noteworthy for being a hard R-rated horror movie, but it may be the first superhero movie where the superhero isn't even the main character. Here's what MacFarlane said about how Spawn will handle its title character.

We don't often think of Jaws as a horror movie, but that's exactly what it is. The shark is as much of a villain as Freddy Kreuger or Jason Voorhees, picking off his prey one by one until he's finally put down by the hero. Jaws is barely seen in the movie, but that's exactly what makes him so terrifying. Evidently, Todd MacFarlane will be taking a page out of Steven Spielberg's book, by making Spawn the unseen force in his movie.

Todd MacFarlane explained to azcentral that his Spawn move isn't going to go the way that most were likely expecting. The character Spawn isn't the main character; that luxury goes to an unnamed human cop. Spawn is more like a looming presence, popping up to cause a little trouble and then disappearing. Apparently, Spawn won't even say one word in the movie. Spawn isn't mute in the comics; he has whole thoughts and opinions on things, but it sounds like this movie may work better if Spawn is more of an enigma.

This is definitely a bold choice for the movie, but far be it from me to question the creative decisions of the man who knows Spawn better than anyone. It's likely a choice for the better, as even just the few details we already know set Spawn apart from its superhero competition. Todd MacFarlane wrote the script and will direct and produce (which was a non-negotiable point for MacFarlane) the film, which is a limited budget horror movie set in New York City.

Spawn is still in the earliest stages of development, but be sure to check back with CinemaBlend and we'll keep you updated with all the newest information as soon as it is available.

There are a few comic book movies outside of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and DCEU worth getting excited about over the next few years, but nothing quite like Spawn. Many fans have demanded a more faithful take on the character since the mediocre 1997 movie, and while a reboot is definitely coming, we still don't know much about it. That said, it now looks like we can finally confirm that the 2019 Spawn reboot will take place in the heart of The Big Apple. Spawn creator Todd McFarlane, who's also directing the reboot, addressed the New York setting and explained:

This revelation shouldn't necessarily be too surprising, as New York City is a familiar setting for Spawn stories; the first movie took place there as well. It also seems to line up with other recent rumors suggesting that the story won't dive too far into the world of the supernatural (aside from Spawn himself) or have him battle a supervillain. The story needs a grounded and gritty setting where it can let its demonic anti-hero run wild, and New York is pretty much perfect for that, even if the film doesn't actually do much shooting there.

Todd McFarlane's emphasis on thrifty location scouting in his remarks to Comicbook.com is also going to be essential for the Spawn reboot because every dollar is going to count in the upcoming film. Unlike movies like Avengers: Infinity War or Justice League, Spawn won't have a massive budget, and it will try to get by with less -- not unlike recent R-rated X-Men films like Deadpool and Logan. Cheating a cheaper city like Detroit or Cleveland will save money in the long run, and that can go a long way towards locking down better effects or performers to help bring the story to life. McFarlane has also reportedly expressed interest in locking down Leonardo DiCaprio for the role of Twitch Williams, so it certainly makes sense that he wouldn't want to blow his budget on a costly shooting location.

With a New York setting and some tentative shooting locations officially locked down, it seems that Todd McFarlane's Spawn reboot is finally coming together. The film is expected to begin shooting next year, but until then, make sure to check out our 2018 movie premiere guide for more information on the upcoming year of film debuts!

One wouldn't be blamed for thinking at first that Todd McFarlane's reboot of his beloved Spawn would be an origin story, what with the 1997 film from New Line existing long enough in the past that we could use a refresher. Though depending on who you ask, it's probably a good thing that the film stay in the shadowier parts of our memories, as Spawn was received with a mixed reception that trended towards terrible.Which is probably why it's a good thing that McFarlane isn't interested at invoking or replacing that original film at all, as he summed up his reasoning for avoiding showing how the demonic protagonist came to be with the following:

For someone who got into the movie game right about the time the comic book movie market crashed due to Batman & Robin's egregious failure to impress, Todd McFarlane seems to have learned as many lessons about the film industry as he has about the comic industry. In particular, he understands that while audiences new and old have a hunger to learn the origins of whatever character they're about to see, they don't always need it to tell a good story. To be honest, Spawn does seem like the perfect type of film to pull just that sort of introduction off, as the canonical origin story is pretty simple.

All you really need to know about Spawn is that his human form, Al Simmons, was a Special Ops soldier who was murdered in the line of duty -- simply because he was growing a conscience. In exchange for seeing his wife again on Earth, he was turned into the disfigured Hellspawn he is today and sent back to the surface. Now as far as a comic book, or even a standard type of comic book movie is concerned, this is rich material to mine for a solid first act in a 2-2.5 hour movie. Which again, there's nothing wrong with that. But considering McFarlane's budgetary concerns, as well as his personal tastes, that sort of dog won't hunt.

Knowing that Todd McFarlane is putting some of his own money into the film, as well as trying to sell investors on a pre-distribution deal to make Spawn happen, that's enough of a reason for him to tighten his belt. But as he told Yahoo at New York Comic Con, there's another reason that he needs to keep his newer film leaner and meaner: it almost ensures he gets to direct it. So if stripping down Spawn into a John Carpenter/Steven Spielberg exercise in measured tension and acts of bad-assery is what it takes to keep the creator of the franchise at the wheel, he'll do it. And it could be just what the industry needs.

With films like Logan, Deadpool and New Mutants reimagining what the comic book movie can be, Todd McFarlane's Spawn feels ready to make its own mark on the world of R-rated comic filmmaking. Exchanging a standard opening with the usual backstory, in order to deliver the world of Spawn to audiences like a boot to the face, is something that just further changes the game for the better.

We'll see if this lives up the hype whenever Spawn gets out of its pre-production phase and into production in the near future. In the meantime, check out our 2017 release schedule to see what's coming to theaters to whet your appetite for superheroes and/or violent anti-heroes.

Some substantial changes are on the horizon for the world of Spider-Man, as Sony has begun to invest in a series of spinoff films set in Peter Parker's neighborhood -- but focused on other characters in the Spidey lore. The first project on-deck is the Tom Hardy-fronted Venom film, and it's a movie that has gradually gotten many fans very excited. In fact, it looks like Venom creator Todd McFarlane is also quite interested to see the film, and recently revealed that he's most excited to see how far Sony will push the R-rating. McFarlane said:

Venom has thus far only appeared in one other live-action film: Spider-Man 3. Widely regarded as the weakest entry in Sam Raimi's original Spider-Man trilogy, one of the major contributing factors to the character's failure arguably was the restrictive PG-13 label. Venom is a brutal and violent bad guy (and sometimes anti-hero), so if Sony wants to go all in on making a David Cronenberg-esque horror film dedicated to Eddie Brock's arc with the Symbiote, then an R-rating will be help explore the balance of his humanity and his monster side. Now it's just a matter of seeing how far Sony decides to push the R-rating, and the degree of the film's rating (whether it's a light R or a hard R) has Todd McFarlane particularly intrigued.

This emphasis on an R-rated comic book adaptation seems to have become a running theme for Todd McFarlane recently. In addition to his vocal support for the Venom film in his comments to Screen Geek, the comic book legend also currently finds himself hard at work on a reboot of the Spawn franchise -- which will similarly aim for a hard-R rating from the MPAA. With X-Men films like Deadpool and Logan proving the financial viability of an R-rated comic book adaptation, projects like Venom and Spawn now have the opportunity to take the ball and run with it.

That said, the R-rating apparently isn't the only thing that has Todd McFarlane excited about Sony's Venom film. McFarlane continued by addressing his enthusiasm to see what Tom Hardy does with the role and said:

Although it's still relatively early in the film's development, the Venom cast already looks fantastic. In addition to Hardy, the project has also locked down Michelle Williams (possibly as Eddie Brock's ex-wife Anne Weying), Riz Ahmed (perhaps as Carnage?), and most recently Saturday Night Live alum Jenny Slate. With such a stacked cast and a rare R-rating shaping its story, Venom could handily become one of the most unique comic book adaptations that we have ever seen.

Venom will debut in theaters next year on October 5, 2018. Are you excited to see Eddie Brock get his solo movie? Give us your take on the project in the comments below.

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It is not a proper Marvel movie without a cameo by Stan Lee. Even before the creation of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the guy appeared in all sorts of Marvel properties -- ranging from X-Men to Daredevil. However, it now looks like he may soon even appear in a non-Marvel comic book movie, as Spawn creator/director Todd MacFarlane recently admitted that he is trying to sneak Lee into the upcoming reboot. MacFarlane said:

It will be surprising to see Stan Lee in a movie like Spawn because most of his cameos (looking beyond the strip club scene in Tim Miller's Deadpool) have been pretty family-friendly. To build off of the fact that he intends to make his Spawn reboot a gritty, violent, and downright nasty cinematic outing, MacFarlane has described Stan Lee's potential appearance in the movie as an "anti-cameo," in the sense that he will not be the friendly, happy-go-lucky guy that we see in most of his on-screen appearances. Based solely off of that description alone, it seems reasonably clear that Spawn is shaping up to give comic book icon a role that's a far cry from his typical fare.

To date, Stan Lee has appeared in an insane number of Marvel properties -- with characters ranging from a Hugh Hefner-esque figure in Iron Man to a skeptic about superheroes in The Avengers, and several different security guards across different films. Todd MacFarlane continued and explained that he wants to go the "gnarly" route with regards to how he portrays Lee in his low-budget project -- so that already seems to promise something fresh and exciting.

Just make sure not to get too excited about this possibility too early. Despite Todd MacFarlane's comments to Comicbook.com about getting Stan Lee in the Spawn movie, it is worth paying close attention to how he phrased the remarks. Specifically, MacFarlane used the word "maybe," lending the sense that none of this is set in stone yet. The Marvel master apparently wants to appear in Spawn, but we will have to wait and see if it happens.

Of course, at the end of the day, a potential Stan Lee cameo in Spawn is one of many reasons to start getting excited about the upcoming, hard-R comic book romp. The Spawn reboot is expected to debut in theaters on 2019; until then, take a look at our 2017 movie premiere guide and our 2018 movie premiere guide to see what other great projects the next year has in store on the silver screen.

Superhero movies are a dime a dozen these days. Between the Marvel Cinematic Universe, DC Extended Universe, and X-Men franchises, you can't go more than two months without a new comic book adaptation arriving in theaters and raking up the cash. It's easy to lump the whole genre together, but a few superhero movies are trying to make a more original film that will set itself apart from the crowd. Case in point: the upcoming Spawn movie, which will be more like a horror movie than a superpowered adventure that we're used to seeing. Producer Jason Blum recently revealed how the new film will be different from most of its peers, saying:

If there's one thing that comic book movies have never been called, it's low-budget. Each installment of the MCU costs million and millions of dollars, making up to a billion at the box office. But according to Jason Blum's comments to Collider, Spawn film will be decidedly cheaper-- which sounds like an intriguing choice for an otherwise formulaic genre.

Indeed, Todd McFarlane is hoping to make a Spawn that won't even relate to the film of the same name from the 90s. Rather than a dark caped crusading anti-hero, Spawn as a character will function more like a horror movie villain. He won't be fighting villains and saving the day, but instead acting more like a ghost or specter. While the audience will know it's Spawn, the new movie seems almost nothing like the 1997 version.

It's this emphasis on horror that no doubt got Blumhouse's attention. The production company is responsible for some of the best modern scary movies, including Get Out, The Conjuring, and Don't Breathe. Blumhouse is the go to place for horror, and is releasing a handful of new releases over the next few months before Halloween.

While it's unclear exactly what the budget of Spawn will be, cheaper superhero movies have been proven to be wildly successful in the last year. Deadpool seemed to be a game changer for the genre, proving that a lower budget and R-rated superhero movie could still make a ton of money and become an instant classic. This was followed up by James Mangold's Logan, which was an intimate and brutal X-Men film that only contained a handful of recognizable characters. But if Spawn is made on a horror movie budget, it should be significantly cheaper than even those two.

It's currently unclear exactly when Spawn will arrive in theaters, but we'll be sure to update you as details become public. In the meantime, check out our 2017 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

Fans of Spawn were excited during San Diego Comic-Con to learn that creator Todd McFarlane is working to bring his most famous creation back to the big screen. Now, the writer explains why he decided to go with a smaller production company for his comic book movie. Spawn is a comic book character and so one might expect to see the Spawn film done in the style of a Marvel or DC movie. However, Blumhouse is known for making much smaller horror movies. As it turns out, this is actually the precise reason that McFarlane decided to make the Spawn movie there. He says Blumhouse founder Jason Blum has found success with this formula, and as a first-time feature director, McFarlane knows he needs that level of success behind him. According to McFarlane...

Blumhouse has had a remarkably good year already in 2017. As the studio behind both Get Out and Split, two movies that are still among the top box office winners of the year, the studio has shown it knows how to make horror movies that can be successful without having major blockbuster budgets. Todd McFarlane tells comicbook.com that he doesn't see the new Spawn as that sort of movie and that he also doesn't see a larger studio actually being successful with a smaller budget film, which led him to Blumhouse. As he says, they can make the lower budget movie, others simply can't.

While Spawn would qualify as a superhero comic, it's also, without question, a horror comic. Previous attempts to adapt the character for the screen have focused less on the horror element, but it seems clear that McFarlane's new script is geared much more toward this idea. Clearly, he sees the new Spawn film as an R-rated affair and a larger studio movie with a larger budget on the line would probably be hesitant to green light a movie like that. It might not be impossible, but it would certainly be difficult.

It should also be pointed out that Todd McFarlane has never directed a feature film before. While there's certainly an argument to be made that the creator of the character would be a valuable director, a larger studio might also be hesitant to give a larger budget to a first time director. McFarlane realizes this, which is why he says he needs Blumouse to help him look good.

While we're still in the very early stages, it does seem like Blumhouse is the right place for Spawn to return to the big screen. If they can revitalize the character the same way they have with the career of M. Night Shyamalan, maybe there really could be something great on the way.

While making a decent amount of money at the box office, the 1997 Spawn movie was a critical bomb. But in the years since its release, the character's creator, Todd McFarlane, hasn't stopped trying to give the demonic anti-hero another shot at big screen redemption. It hasn't been an easy endeavor, but with San Diego Comic-Con in full swing right now, McFarlane has confirmed that his work has finally paid off, as the Spawn reboot is officially moving forward as a Blumhouse production.

Todd McFarlane has teamed up with Blumhouse to bring Spawn back to the big screen, and this movie will mark McFarlane's directorial debut. Watch the video below to see McFarlane announce the big news on Facebook with director Kevin Smith.

With this revelation, the hypothetical has now become reality for Todd McFarlane and the Spawn fans. McFarlane had been working on the new Spawn movie's script for years, finally completing it last year. Aside from needing to polish the story, it sounded like the reboot was ready to go, but the main obstacle that prevented the cinematic Spawn tale from being picked up was McFarlane wanting to direct and produce it. That's been a non-negotiable condition for McFarlane, and while that may have prevented studios from picking Spawn up before, now the comic book writer and artist has found a kindred spirit in Blumhouse Productions, which is responsible for horror content like the Paranormal Activity series, The Purge series, the Insidious series, Split, The Belko Experiment and Get Out.

Unlike 1997's Spawn, which leaned heavily on action, the Spawn reboot will not be a superhero movie, instead resting comfortably in the horror and thriller genres, hence why Blumhouse is a good home for it. Let's not forget that Spawn came out a couple years before the comic book movie genre really started to take off. Most of those blockbusters are traditional superhero tales, but movies like Deadpool and Logan have shown that R-rated comic book content can be both critically and commercially successful, while at the same time being more tonally unique to stand out from the crowd. And unlike most other superhero movies, Spawn won't be made with a large budget, as McFarlane only wants to spend around $10 million on it.

More details about the Spawn reboot are supposedly arriving soon, so stay tuned to CinemaBlend for those updates. The Spawn mythos may also be getting some attention on the small screen in the near future, as Kevin Smith is developing a Sam and Twitch TV series for BBC America.

Superhero movies are huge right now and if anything is even vaguely superhero-y, then there's a solid chance it'll get that big screen adaptation. Spawn is one of the properties that's been trying to do just that, with creator Todd McFarlene working on writing the script with the hopes of directing it as well. McFarlene has been pretty clear on what his vision for the film is, but that might be what's slowing down progress on the movie. The comic book writer and artist isn't swaying one bit on what he wants, which may be giving studios hesitation on picking up the project.

Todd McFarlene has already written a rough draft for his Spawn movie, but that doesn't mean things will start moving quickly for the reboot. Even though he's got a finished draft of the screenplay, McFarlene isn't actually selling it to studios yet. McFarlene says a number of big and small time producers have reached out to him in the four months since he finished the first draft, but he tells each one of them that he must produce and direct the film or there's no deal. That's a fairly dig demand from someone who's never directed a movie before, so any hesitation to reach a deal with McFarlene is understandable.

However, as Todd McFarlene goes on to note in an interview with SYFY WIRE, he knows that studios won't trust a first time director with a big budget film. That's why he's written a "tight" script that believes he can make with a small budget of $10 million. That way the risk is at least minimized for the studio that's fronting the money. There have certainly been plenty of supernatural horror films with small budgets that have gone on to become smash hits in recent years, so there isn't any reason to think that won't happen for Spawn.

We don't know very much about the new Spawn movie right now due to it being in the early stages of development. We do know that Todd McFarlene is aiming for the film to be rated-R due to Spawn's audience mainly being adults now. It will also focus more on the supernatural horror aspects of the character rather than being a full-on superhero movie.

There are bound to be more updates on the Spawn movie in the future, so stick with CinemaBlend and we'll keep you updated with all the latest information as soon as it becomes available. In the meantime, check out our 2017 movie release schedule to learn more about what's hitting theaters near you soon.

With every comic book and graphic novel under the sun getting adapted into Hollywood movie, it might finally be Spawn's turn for a second chance on the big screen. It's been a long time since the last film, and Spawn creator Todd McFarlane has been hard at work developing a reboot that strikes closer to his source material. McFarlane has his heart set on directing the film, but he admits that that might be the biggest obstacle standing in the way of this movie.

Todd McFarlane spoke with ComicBook about the state of his new Spawn film. McFarlane admitted that progress is slow, and negotiating with studios aren't going to make it move any faster. McFarlane has long had the idea that he would really like to direct that film. However, he realizes that studios aren't going to take a $100 million gamble on a first-time director. It's one thing to have an indie or two under your belt, but Spawn would be McFarlane's first time in the chair. Luckily, he thinks he's got a way to work around that.

The director went on to say in the interview that he is not making the new Spawn for the superhero audience; it's for horror fans. The movie will be an R-rated horror film, with Spawn serving as a sort of specter in the background, as opposed the rubber suited beat 'em up of the 1998 film. The talented comic book artist/writer is currently working out the financials of making the movie on a low budget, perhaps $10 million. Studios make successful horror films on minuscule budgets all the time, and it's certainly an easier pill to swallow than a big budget superhero movie.

Spawn depicts the story of Al Simmons, a soldier/assassin who is murdered and then transformed into Spawn, a supernatural meant to lead hell's army against heaven. Spawn is an anti-hero who brutalizes the guilty and was created in 1992. He fights all manner of demons, angels, and monsters, but his new movie may take a more subtle approach and focus on his supernatural aspects in order to really scare some people.

In 1997, the superhero genre was still in the earliest stages of its infancy. Characters like Spawn could make their way to the silver screen, but proper adaptations were a rarity. Two decades later, we will finally get the Spawn movie that we have always clamored for, and according to Spawn writer Todd McFarlane, it will be incredibly different from the original movie. McFarlane explained:

During a recent interview on Geeking Out (Via Comicbook.com) Spawn writer Todd McFarlane opened up regarding the tone and style of the upcoming Spawn movie. Apparently we should ignore everything from the original Spawn from 1997, because Spawn 2 will take the franchise in a very different direction. Gone are the super villains and dastardly plots of the first film. Instead we will be treated to a movie that feels as realistic as possible -- with the exception of Spawn himself. He's not a superhero in any traditional sense. He's a mysterious force lurking in the shadows; the audience just happens to know who he is and what he's capable of. McFarlane himself likened his script to The Exorcist in the sense that the movie feels real and raw, but it features a singular supernatural entity in the form of Spawn.

Of course, it's still worth noting that while this is very much a deviation from the original Spawn movie, it shows that the film franchise is endeavoring to move much closer to the actual source material. Although the first Spawn movie (which starred Michael Jai White) has become reviled for its campiness (although some would argue that such campiness gives it a distinct B-movie charm), the comic books that the character hails from are typically known for their graphic, unrelenting content and overwhelming levels of grit. If this is the direction that Spawn 2 is heading, then it sounds as though true Spawn fans can rest easy knowing that their character will finally come into his own.

With that in mind, this seems to mean that the new Spawn movie won't feature the titular anti-hero facing off against John Leguizamo demons and giant monsters. Don't expect any scenes like this in the upcoming film:

Earlier this year it was reported that McFarlane had already completed substantial work on a script for the Spawn movie, so there's clearly an existing story just waiting to be told. The guy knows Spawn inside and out, so we cannot even begin to express our excitement for the character to finally debut in the modern age of superhero movies.

Cinema Blend will bring you any and all relevant details related to the upcoming Spawn movie as more information becomes available to us. There's currently no confirmed release date for the film, but we will continue to keep our fingers crossed that it materializes sooner rather than later. Stay tuned for more details!

With Deadpool riding high on the crest of box office glory it found this past weekend, other studios are more than likely going to feel emboldened to start venturing into R-rated superhero flicks themselves. So naturally, Todd McFarlane's Spawn seems to be back in play, and his new concept for the hellbound hero promises an exciting ride ahead.

This news comes on the heels of Todd McFarlane's announcement that his first draft for the Spawn reboot has been officially completed, which is cause enough to celebrate. But as you'll see in the following statement, from an exclusive interview with ComicBook.com, McFarlane outlined his concept for how his iconic character will interact with the world as follows:

Basically, what Todd McFarlane is proposing with his new film adaptation of Spawn isn't a film that's focused on the origins, or even the actions of his famous character. Instead, he wants to focus on how Spawn affects the world at large. So instead of giving the bad assed avenging angel a wife and family to pine over, it sounds like we'll see the world of the organized crime being torn apart by the ever encroaching shadows surrounding them. It's a novel approach, and it tracks well with a previous proposal the director had for a sequel to the previous film starring Michael Jai White. Though McFarlane's refreshed approach serves another purpose close to his own heart: he wants to direct the film himself.

Further along in the report is the mention that the first draft of Spawn is about to undergo the editing process, so as to be a lean and mean product that Todd McFarlane can sell around Hollywood. With a budget and scope as focused as possible, McFarlane has his own interests in mind as he hopes to be able to convince whomever invests in the picture to let him head up the gamble himself. Considering how hard the original 1997 film adaptation stumbled, it seems like a safe, Deadpool style bet to put Spawn back in the hands of its passionate creator.

The era of getting it right the second time around is upon us, and with Deadpool opening doors for both reviving, and maturing, comic properties that were once slighted by a PG-13 only mindset, a Spawn film is a natural next step. The fact that Todd McFarlane wants to give his fans the "true believer" version of his creation is a decision that should make for an easy yes, especially if the price is right. We'll see if fortune breaks in his favor, especially if Deadpool continues to keep the head of steam its built up this past weekend.

In the meantime, a vote for Deadpool is a vote for an R-rated Spawn, as well as R-rated comic films everywhere. So get out and vote with your wallet as many times as you can.

Comic book adaptations are getting braver, there's simply no denying it. As audiences become more familiar with the genre, studios have started to get bolder and less conventional with the content that they produce. No longer are we stuck with just Batman, Spider-Man, and Superman; characters on the fringe have long waited for their chance to shine, and now it seems that they will get their moment in the spotlight. One such character that has faded into obscurity in recent years is Spawn, but now it looks like the demonic anti-hero has just taken a major step forward towards his next on-screen outing.

According to ComicBook.com, Screenwriter Todd McFarlane revealed that he has officially finished writing the script for the upcoming Spawn film:

Even cut down to 140 pages, that’s still incredibly long for a superhero movie. It's a smart bet that the film would focus on the origins of the character and devote a great deal of time to explaining him to audiences that may not be familiar with his nuances. As a highly trained soldier resurrected after being sent to hell, his origin story is as complex as it is badass. With that in mind, they will likely need to pad the film with extra amounts of exposition to get mainstream audiences on board. Another reason for the increased length of the script is that Todd McFarlane – an avid Spawn fan – is writing the script in the hopes that he himself will actually get to direct the project when it goes into production

We should note that recent developments in the world of superhero cinema seem to be paving the way for Spawn to be an incredibly faithful adaptation of the hard-hitting source material. By his very nature, Spawn is a violent character and wholly deserves a hard R-rating. The unprecedented success of Tim Miller’s Deadpool may serve as the catalyst to finally give R-rated characters like Spawn the silver screen treatment that they deserve.

It’s been almost 20 years since we last saw Spawn on the silver screen, and most fans of the source material would agree that they would rather forget that movie ever even happened. Released in 1997, the original Spawn starred Michael Jai White, John Leguizamo, Melinda Clarke, and Martin Sheen. In case you haven’t heard of that particular movie, check out the trailer below and you will immediately understand why people don’t talk about it.

So it looks like the character Spawn may have found new life after all. Are you excited to see the character return to the silver screen? Let us know below.

It wasn't too long ago that Gaming Blend had a list of guest characters that would be perfectly suited for the Mortal Kombat universe. One of those characters was Todd McFarlane's Spawn. Well, it appears McFarlane agrees that Spawn would be a perfect fit for Mortal Kombat X.

In an interview with GamerFitnation, the creator of the deadly anti-hero spoke up about the possible inclusion of the iconic character in NetherRealm Studios' upcoming game.

If you have seven minutes to spare and an opportunity to crank up the volume, you can check out the interview with McFarlane in the video interview below from the 2015 Toyfair.

If you don't really have time to listen to the entire interview, the bits you'll want to take away from the interview is that there could be hope of seeing Spawn in the upcoming release of Mortal Kombat X.

When asked about whether or not we could see a new game starring Spawn or whether or not he'll appear in any new games, McFarlane stated...

McFarlane later mentions that the deal they have right now allows the studio access to Spawn for a few games. However, Spawn won't be appearing in Injustice 2, the sequel to Injustice: Gods Among Us.

According to McFarlane, there's a window of time for NetherRealm and company to use Spawn in a few games, so it's entirely in their ballpark if they want to use Spawn.

Really, there wouldn't be a better time to have the undead character appear in a Mortal Kombat game. He was really unsuited for the more tame atmosphere of Namco's Soul Calibur, in which he appeared as a guest character on the Xbox version of Soul Calibur II. Spawn couldn't do the ripping, shredding and murdering that he's known for.

In Mortal Kombat X it would be a perfect opportunity to help reintroduce the character to the gaming world in a really big and visually impactful way. Also, Spawn would be dead-on perfect for the new three-variation fighting style system that NetherRealm is employing for the newest game; Spawn could have one style focusing on his chains as grab and pull moves for mid-screen control, or his green necroplasm for long-range projectiles, or his cape and spiked gauntlets for close-range combat.

I mean, saying Spawn would be a perfect fit for Mortal Kombat X almost feels like an understatement. NetherRealm would be kind of silly to pass up the opportunity – especially while they have open access to the rights of the character – to include Spawn as a guest fighter in Mortal Kombat X. But as McFarlane said, the ball is in the court of NetherRealm and Warner Bros. So we'll see what they come up with.

Mortal Kombat X is due for release on April 14th for the Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS3, PS4 and PC.

In the late 1990s, Spawn had a bigger presence in non-comic book media than most superheroes, featuring in both a live-action film AND an animated series. He’s mostly been absent from our screens since then (aside from a few video games), but that will soon change. Today, creator Todd McFarlane teased a new Spawn animated project by releasing several pieces of early concept art. Check it out, below.

Post by Todd McFarlane.

The most prominent of the images posted on McFarlane’s Facebook page are of NYPD detectives Sam Burke and Maximilian “Twitch” Williams. Sam and Twitch have been part of the Spawn book since the beginning, and while they originally found themselves at odds with original Spawn Al Simmons, eventually they developed a respect for him and assisted the anti-hero from time to time. As their appearances suggest, Sam and Twitch are foils for each other, Sam being the tough, headstrong “brawn” of the partnership, while Twitch is the slender, calculating “brains” who consistently calls his partner “sir.” The characters were so popular that they starred in their own series spinoff series from 1999-2003 called Sam and Twitch, which lasted 26 issues. If Spawn is returning to the screen, it makes sense to include these two. They may not be demons or angels or any of the other weird entities running around, but they’ve more than proved their worth over the years to earn a place in the main cast.

Post by Todd McFarlane.

One of the primary locales in the Spawn book is New York City, and while McFarlane didn’t say where this animated project would take place, this filthy environment certainly bears resemblance to one of NYC’s mean streets. It’s the perfect locale for a story about a Hellspawn fighting the forces of evil...well, other than Hell itself. The image below is a detailed sketching of the same gritty area with what look like 70s era cars.

Post by Todd McFarlane.

Spawn debuted in May 1992 in the first issue of his self-titled book, which will release its 250th issue in the coming months. Although the live-action movie was released in August 1997, Todd McFarlane’s Spawn premiered on HBO in May 1997, where it aired for three seasons and won two Primetime Emmys. For years there have been efforts to create new Spawn content, but this is one of the few concrete pieces of proof that something is in the works. It’s unclear whether this project is a TV series or show for the Web, but with an audience still interested in what is arguably Image Comics’ most famous character, anticipation is likely to be high to get Spawn back on our screens. Now McFarlane just needs to post an image of Spawn himself!

If you remember director Mark A.Z. Dippé’s 1997 looser-than-a-goose adaptation of Todd McFarlane’s highly popular Spawn comic series, chances are it’s because of how utterly disappointing it was. Though Michael Jai White’s performance was notable enough, when you’re playing opposite Fat John Leguizamo Clown, it isn’t hard to look amazing in comparison. McFarlane has been talking about bringing Spawn’s hellacious universe back to cinema for years now, and now has rather excitedly reconfirmed this news.

Speaking with MTV recently near a McFarlane Toys display at the TIA Toy Fair, McFarlane not only talked about the possibility of a multi-film Spawn franchise, but also of another animated series that isn’t only a possibility, but is actually already halfway finished.

Just as he did when talking to Nerdist a couple years back, McFarlane once again mentioned the unnamed Academy Award-winning actor who is interested in taking on the superhero role, saying, “Every three weeks he’s on the phone going, ‘Todd, where’s the script? Todd, where’s the script?’” The two have already gotten together for a pitch meeting, and McFarlane says, “The pitch I gave was that we could do ten of these for the next ten years and he wouldn’t have to be 22 for the rest of his life.” So this probably means the character will be crafted mostly by CGI, but that might not be such a bad thing, should the script (which McFarlane is writing at a rate of “a page here and there”) capture the insane artwork of the comics.

As far as the animated series is concerned, the plan is to release a film with the show to follow and capitalize on success. Voiceovers and background work completed already, with the series just needing to go to the animation studios, . And McFarlane points out that animation is leaps and bounds ahead of what it was when HBO aired an animated take on the character back in 1997. Watch the full interview below.

So while 2013 probably won’t see any of Hell’s Army crossing theater screens, 2014 is looking promising. Or maybe 2015...look for 2016’s Spawn film coverage here on Cinema Blend!

Electronic Arts announced today that they will be publishing 38 Studios' first game, a single-player RPG called Project Mercury. Mercury is being developed by Rise of Nations creators Big Huge Games, a subsidiary of 38 Studios.

Though very little is known about Mercury, it's received a lot of attention due to the big names attached to the project. Development is overseen by Ken Rolston, formerly lead designer for Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind and Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. R.A. Salvatore, the popular Dungeons & Dragons novelist who created the character Drizzt Do'Urden, is constructing the game world's story. Spawn creator Todd McFarlane, meanwhile, is handling art direction. If that's not enough star power for you, then it's worth pointing out that 38 Studios was founded by former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling.

No release date has been set for Mercury yet. Big Huge Games is developing it for the Xbox 360, PS3, and PC.

If you remember back in August, it was rumored that Dakota Fanning was going to be put in a priority mail package and shipped off to the wonderful land of Oz in a “darker and more action-packed” manner. Since then, it seems like there's been quite a misunderstanding and subsequent shake up concerning the sequel to one of the most beloved movies of all time.

Soon after the Dakota Fanning announcement, Josh Olsen was brought on to pen a script, but not for McFarlane's Oz. The script Olsen came back with was for a much more family-friendly version, staying much truer to the actual book sequel written by L. Frank Baum. It seems like studios met with McFarlane and forgot to mention to him that they weren't going to use his idea, but they were going to move forward with a sequel anyway.

Currently, Pajiba is reporting that their inside source has confirmed that the story Warner Bros. will be moving forward with is Olsen's, based on the film's title, Oz: The Return to Emerald City, and this synopsis provided by the Hollywood Cog:

It’s a modern-day sequel. The story centers on Dorothy Neil, a bright and ambitious young lawyer for a prestigious law firm in Chicago. Neil is the grand-daughter of Dorothy Gale, who is now an old woman living in Kansas and telling her tales about her time in the land of Oz to a new generation of kids. However, trouble is afoot in Oz, as a new witch is destroying the magic that keeps the entire place running. While babysitting her boss’ kid, the kid and Dorothy Neil are brought back to Oz and united with the Cowardly Lion, the Tin Man, and the Scarecrow and tasked with killing an evil witch and restoring order in Oz.

This sounds much better than McFarlane's original pitch, which just basically sounded like a Clive Barker movie. The world will have their finger on the pulse of this project, more news to come the minute it's available.

So maybe you’re such a fanatic of Guitar Hero that not only is it essential to have played the game until your carpet has a bald spot from all the knee-sliding, but you also must have the latest in Guitar Hero action figures. Well, we have some good news for you: Todd McFarlane’s Guitar Hero action figures are now available for purchase, and we have some screenshots, as well as a link for winning a set of your own...for free.

In today's economy, anything that doesn't carry a pricetag must be worth owning, unless it's a free membership into a Barney fanclub revival. But in this case, there's nothing purple or prehistoric about the free items of this news topic. For hardcore Guitar Hero fans, you can actually own a brand new set of action figures, which are now available at Toys 'R' Us. You can check out who's going to be available for purchase below:

• Lars Ümlaut

• Johnny Napalm

• God of Rock

• Axel Steel

While you're here you can also check out some screenshots of the figures as well. And if you’re down with winning some of these kick-butt rockers, don’t hesitate to Click Here to find out how to enter to win.

For more information regarding some of the Todd McFarlane figures, you can visit the Official Website. And remember, you can look for the toys at your local Toys ‘R’ Us, and don't forget to check for Guitar Hero: World Tour when it launches on October 25th for major game consoles.

Be sure to stay tuned in with Blend Games for more news and info on the latest games – and in this one particular case, action figures. You can also drop by the Blend Games Forum for discussions on the hottest titles.