Will this superhero, mocked in 1997, soon return to cinema in a “dark” and “different” film?

In 1997, Batman wasn’t the only one to make it to the cinema. Because it was also the year that Spawn, admittedly little known to the general public, made his first and last career appearance on the big screen.

Directed by Marc Az Diepe, who worked on the special effects for Abyss and Terminator 2, the feature film gives the ultra-violent superhero a false start to the competition.

Because despite a worldwide box office total of $87.8 million (40 for a budget), the result remains one of the worst films of the genre. One of the ugliest.

Batman has since ascended thanks to Christopher Nolan, Zack Snyder and Matt Reeves, and superheroes have become the kings of the box office, although Barbie and Oppenheimer have recently challenged their supremacy.

And it’s only natural that Spawn would want to take advantage of this update, a project that has struggled to really take shape for several years.

In May 2018, Jamie Foxx was confirmed to play the mercenary killed in the explosion, who makes a deal with the Dark Lord to see his wife again and becomes the infernal warrior Spawn.

But comic book creator Todd McFarlane eventually relinquished command of the project, which he was supposed to pursue while the actor recovered from recent health issues.

Like its main character, the film is not buried. Blumhouse, which specializes in horror, owns the rights to make its debut in the superhero register. And the studio is going to impress: “Yes, we’re going to use the Blumhouse touch”– said producer Jason Blum New York Comic Con.

“It’s going to be dark and original compared to other superhero movies. You’ll really feel like you’re watching the Blumhouse version of a superhero movie.” A promotional speech by a producer who is obviously going to preach to his congregation? Or does Jason Blum have a nice surprise for us?

Given the source material, Spawn can be placed on the darker and more violent side of the genre if fidelity is required. And break away from the usual narrative jacket. However, we will have to wait until we know for sure.