John Singleton is directing a superhero movie, although which movie is up for debate. The director has signed on for adaptations of Marvel’s Black Panther and Luke Cage, both of which have faced quite a few production delays.
Blackfilm.com spoke with Singleton about his upcoming movie Illegal Tender and the subject of the comic book movies came up. He told the site, “There is a race to see if I'm going to do 'Luke Cage' first or 'Black Panther'. I really wanted to do both of those pictures. I've always been a fan of Marvel comics, so it depends. I can do 'Cage' or 'Black Panther'.”
So what’s the hold up? Singleton has an interesting insight: “Hollywood has a very limiting view on what makes a pop culture picture. If you put a black face on it, they think it's black thing; but yet we have all these movies that have come up and whenever they any black people in it, they make all this money.” It’s a fair complaint. There’s really nothing specifically “black” about Cage or Black Panther that makes them inaccessible to other audiences. They are super heroes. The color of their skin is irrelevant.
At the same time, the notion that it’s a “black” thing does keep Singleton working, at least as far as these projects go. You’ve not really heard other names tossed around to direct Black Panther or Luke Cage – just John Singleton. I don’t doubt that comes from the same ignorance that considers the movies to be a “black” thing. Thankfully, he’s just a good director all around, so regardless of the content or it being a white/black/polka-dotted thing, the final product should have some potential.
It’s an added bonus that he’s a fan of Marvel stories, and even more that he’s aware of what he wants to make: It's not going to be a small stupid movie like 'Meteor Man'. I'm trying to make 'Luke Cage'.” Excellent!
