Spawn Returns! Academy Award Winner Jamie Foxx Is Set To Star!

Hello nerds!

For the last two decades, we've been reeling from the mostly wasted potential of 1997's Spawn and dreaming about what could have been. Happily, it seems the time for redemption is at hand, because not only is a reboot officially happening, but they've also nabbed a brilliant lead.

Per an exclusive from Deadline, Jamie Foxx is officially set to star in the reboot of Spawn being written and directed by creator Todd McFarlane, under Blumhouse Productions. The reboot will be going R-Rated and will have a fairly modest budget of $10 - $12 million. I can't really complain about anything, given the amazing people involved in every step of this reboot and how excoted they are to be involved.

In fact, Jason Blum sounds absolutely over the moon about Foxx's inclusion in the project and the chance to re-introduce Spawn to the world. 

“We are thrilled Jamie Foxx will be playing the title role in our movie adaptation of Spawn. He is an incredible actor and a huge fan of the Spawn Universe that Todd McFarlane created. With the depth of talent Jamie can commit to the role and Todd at the helm bringing the world of Spawn to life, we could not be more excited for this film.”

You know what Jason? I could not be more excited for this film either.

Spawn is a story that deserves to be told on the big screen. It's dark, gory, supernatural and ultra-violent and entirely entertaining. This first film largely fell flat, but in no way is that due to the fantastic performances of Michael Jai White and John Leguizamo. The problem was they tried to do a campy origin story for a character that doesn't fit into the mold.

Todd McFarlane also shared some words about the film and he makes two things abundantly clear. This reboot will be vastly more faithful to the source material than its predecessor and if you don't know shit about Spawn going into this movie, you might be shit out of luck. 

“The scariest movies, from Jaws to John Carpenter’s The Thing, or The Grudge and The Ring, the boogeyman doesn’t talk. It confuses people because of the comic book industry, and because they all default into their Captain America mindset and I keep saying, no, get into John Carpenter’s mindset or Hitchcock. This is not a man in a rubber suit, it’s not a hero that’s going to come and save the damsel. It’s none of that. At the end of the movie, I’m hoping that the audience will say either, is this a ghost that turns into a man, or is it a man that turns into a ghost? I’ve got a trilogy in mind here, and I’m not inclined in this first movie to do an origin story. I’m mentally exhausted from origin stories.”

Translating the story of a former assassin turned Hellspawn warrior requires a more adept hand, and thankfully that's exactly the issue they'll be fixing in the reboot under Blumhouse, McFarlane and star Jamie Foxx, whom as it turns out has had his eye on this role for quite some time. 

“He was taken aback when I told him with the enthusiasm of a young child that more than anything I wanted to put my name in the hat to embody his beloved character SPAWN. I told him no one would work harder than me if given the opportunity... well... the opportunity is here!! I’m humbled and ready to transform... and to top things off the young Jason Blum is lending his brilliance to the project! Time to be great!!!!”

Fuck yes man! I'm always more invested in something if the people involved in creating it are truly passionate about what they're doing. Especially, when they're as talented as Jamie Foxx is. The dude can seriously do everything in existence, so seeing him play a superhero is long overdue. and the more I read, the more worked up I become over how great this movie could be. And honestly, it's about fucking time Spawn got another shot. Some things are just left better unexplained, and an origin story about a demon-superhero is one off them.

Any Spawn fan will be well-versed enough for this movie to not go the traditional superhero route and "do origin". For those whom are unfamiliar with the world of Spawn and don't have the time and/or desire to read the amazing comic, you should check out the HBO animated series. Besides starring the legendary Keith David, it also ranks among the best comic book adaptations to exist. Animated or otherwise.

All in all, it looks like all the pieces are being put into place for one hell of an intriguing story and it's one that is long overdue.