The world of superhero movies constantly evolves, with rumors and speculation swirling around the latest projects and casting decisions. One of the most exciting rumors of the past two years has been the possibility of Michael B. Jordan taking on the role of Black Superman in an HBO Max project.
However, recent reports suggest that James Gunn has canceled Jordan’s project in favor of Superman: Legacy, leaving fans wondering if they will ever see Jordan’s iteration of the Kryptonian hero.
What Happened to the Black Superman Project?
Rumors about Michael B. Jordan’s portrayal of Val-Zod, an alternate Kryptonian hero from the more well-known Kal-El, began almost two years ago. Collider reported that early development on a Black Superman project with Jordan had started, sparking excitement among fans of the actor and the character.
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However, there has been little news about the project’s progress, and fans have been left wondering whether it will ever see the light of day. With no mention of the project on James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DCU slate, hope for the Black Superman project may seem futile.
During a recent red carpet event for the upcoming Creed film, Michael B. Jordan was asked about the rumors that he would be taking on the role of Black Superman. Jordan initially denied having heard rumors about the project, but his past comments suggest otherwise.
In a 2021 interview with ET, Jordan supported Black leads and heroic roles in superhero movies. However, he admitted that he knew little about the Black Superman project.
“I mean, I don’t know. I think you know there’s a…I don’t really know what is going on with that in particular, but I think everybody’s want and desire to see Black leads and heroic roles I think is really important. Representation is important.”
Given that Superman: Legacy is set to focus on Clark Kent, it seems unlikely that Michael B. Jordan would appear as Black Superman in the main DCU continuity. However, there is still the possibility of the project being a standalone Elseworlds story. Until more information is revealed, fans can only speculate about the fate of the Black Superman project.
What Is Superman: Legacy About?
Superman: Legacy is the major Man-of-Steel-related project in James Gunn and Peter Safran’s Gods and Monsters DCU chapter. The project is set to focus on Clark Kent, making it unlikely that Michael B. Jordan would appear as Black Superman in the main DCU continuity, at least not yet.
However, there is still the possibility of the Black Superman project being a standalone Elseworlds story. This type of story allows characters to exist outside the main continuity and explore alternate universes and timelines. This would be a perfect fit for Val-Zod, who exists in a separate continuity from Kal-El and could offer a fresh take on the iconic superhero.
Despite Jordan’s denial of having heard the rumors, his past comments and the lack of official news about the project have left fans wondering if the Black Superman project is officially dead. While it is possible that the project could still be in development, the news of James Gunn canceling it in favor of Superman: Legacy suggests that it may not be a priority for DC.
The project’s cancellation could be a huge disappointment for fans looking forward to seeing Michael B. Jordan take on the role of Val-Zod. The actor has proven his talent in various roles, and his portrayal of Black Superman could have been a groundbreaking moment for diversity in superhero movies.
The idea of a Black Superman is important, as it represents a step towards greater representation in superhero movies. The success of movies like Black Panther has demonstrated that audiences are hungry for more diversity in their heroes. It is exciting to see the DC universe potentially following suit.
