The Spawn reboot has been in the developmental hell for years. The film has gone through several writers and directors, including creator Todd McFarlane since it was announced. Jamie Foxx and Jeremy Renner have been consistent mainstays for the superhero reboot. As the reboot inches closer to production, Blumhouse honcho Jason Blum has teased what the horror-centric studio will bring to the remake.
The horror-focused studio might be the best fit for the superhero remake given the source’s graphic and supernatural nature. So, of course, Blum wants to bring out the horror factor in the underworld-centric comic. After the upcoming film underwent a massive rewrite, the horror film producer explained to ScreenRant how the genre would influence the Spawn reboot, saying:
I'm going to bring the Blumhouse edge. It's going to be edgy and original as compared to other superhero movies. It's gonna definitely feel like the Blumhouse version of a superhero movie.
If you watched the original HBO animated series, it sounds like Blumhouse will amp up the gore, frights, and psychological mind games fans love. Of course, avid fans loved the style and vibe of the original Spawn, but some fans felt it didn’t tap into the horror enough. The 1997 film ended up being a critical and commercial disappointment during its original run. It later found cult status through video rentals and TV viewings. Now it appears the demonic remake will hit on every angle that made the comic book a cultural phenomenon.
As mentioned earlier, the superhero reboot has gone through several turnovers. Todd McFarlane was attached to write and direct a small-budget remake of the 1997 cult classic early in the film’s development. After McFarlane completed the script in 2016, Broken City scribe Biran Tucker was hired in 2021 to draft a new script under Blumhouse’s leadership with McFarlane reportedly still directing the film. However, the film faced other behind-the-scenes changes as it was announced rising Hollywood writer Matt Mixon was teaming up with superhero film vets Scott Silver and Malcolm Spellman to rewrite Tucker’s script. They were reportedly close to finishing the new screenplay before the WGA strike began. It is unclear if McFarlane will still direct the revival. The Spawn creator hinted he might relinquish the director’s chair to the new team in a recent update. It appears that the comics artist will remain with the production in some capacity if he doesn’t helm the film.
News on the upcoming film is good so far, but there might be two factors holding it back. The project won’t be able to film until the SAG-AFTRA strike is over unless everyone involved gets an interim agreement. So the writing team might be back to craft the script after the writers’ strike ends, but actors aren’t available to work yet.
The other stumbling block might be relate to stars Jamie Foxx and Jeremy Renner. Both Hollywood A-listers have faced health issues since their involvement was announced in 2018. Foxx suffered a still-unknown medical crisis earlier this year. He’s only made a few public appearances since then, including returning a fan’s lost bag. Renner has laid low as well since suffering a traumatic snowplow accident earlier this year. He has kept fans updated online by posting jokes and adorable photos on social media. He even showed Foxx some love after the latter gave a positive recovery update.
So, time will tell when the Spawn reboot finally starts filming and whether Jamie Foxx and Jeremy Renner are still attached. Both actors also have busy film slates in the coming years. In the meantime, check out the original Spawn through an Amazon Prime Video subscription. Come back to CinemaBlend for more updates on the new Blumhouse version.
