Warner Bros. Reportedly Dismissed a Black Superman Movie For Being “Too Woke” (But DC Might Still Make It)

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Today, as James Gunn’s Superman takes flight on the big screen, an explosive report from The Wall Street Journal has disclosed that a different Superman project was halted by the top executive at Warner Bros. Discovery. Allegedly, a script for a Black Superman film, penned by acclaimed author Ta-Nehisi Coates, was personally put on hold by CEO David Zaslav in 2022. The explanation given by sources close to the situation was that the movie, a period piece set amidst the American civil rights movement, was considered “too progressive.” This revelation offers a clear reason for the prolonged pause in the production of the eagerly awaited Superman film from producer J.J. Abrams. Although the report describes a definitive halt at the highest levels of corporate management, it also hints at potential future revival of the project by the new heads of DC Studios, James Gunn and Peter Safran.

Prior to the merger between Warner Bros. and Discovery, the studio was working on two distinct adaptations of Black Superman. The initial project was a movie collaboration between Coates and Abrams, planned as an individual film set in an alternate universe. The second venture was a limited series for HBO Max, spearheaded by Michael B. Jordan’s production company, Outlier Society. This series focused on the comic book character Val-Zod, and in October 2021, it was revealed that Darnell Metayer and Josh Peters were hired to write the script. Both initiatives sparked considerable enthusiasm among fans, but they ceased development after the corporate reorganization and the appointment of Gunn and Safran to head the newly established DC Studios.

In simpler terms, if Coates’ script is excellent and the circumstances are favorable, there’s a good chance that the project could become an “Elseworlds story” like the movie “Joker.” The Elseworlds label is DC’s method for sharing tales outside of the main DC universe, enabling distinct directorial ideas. At present, only one project, titled “The Batman – Part II,” is being developed under this banner, and it has been pushed back to October 1, 2027 due to a prolonged script-writing phase.

The DCU Just Launched Its Own Superman in Theaters

Although it remains uncertain when, or even if, a Black Superman project will materialize, the DCU’s current Superman movie has been unveiled to remarkable acclaim. The film, debuting today, has received a flood of favorable critical appraisals, boasting an “Certified Fresh” rating of 82% on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics are widely praising the hopeful and heartfelt tone of Superman, the heroic portrayal by David Corenswet, and James Gunn’s dynamic direction. Although some reviews comment that the script seems overburdened with characters and narrative threads, the general agreement is that this film marks a triumphant beginning for the new DCU. This positive sentiment resonates strongly among audiences, who have bestowed the movie with a remarkable 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with surveys from early screenings indicating a final CinemaScore within the “A” range.

The exceptional response from both critics and audiences is propelling “Superman” towards becoming an undisputed blockbuster. After raking in $21 million during its Thursday night previews, the film is expected to earn anywhere from $120 million to $135 million in its domestic opening weekend. If it reaches the higher end of this projection, it would rank among DC’s most successful debuts, offering strong commercial backing for the new studio management. Most significantly, the movie’s success offers Gunn greater creative liberty to delve into other daring projects, such as a Black Superman film.

Superman flies into theaters on July 11th.

Given the optimistic shift at DC Universe, is it feasible to consider the prospect of a film featuring Ta-Nehisi Coates’ interpretation of Superman? Perhaps as part of an Elseworlds series? Let’s share thoughts and ideas below!

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2025-07-11 09:39