It's one of the year's biggest pieces of news: Steven Spielberg is joining the DC cinematic universe. Many, myself included, didn't expect this, especially when the franchise led by Zack Snyder was hanging by a thread. Blackhawk will be the comic that finally gets the big-screen treatment, and we have some details to share.
DC's Current State
After the success of Ready Player One, Steven Spielberg enters the world of superheroes for the first time, specifically the DC universe. The most important science-fiction director joins a project that steps away from the main continuity, whose latest installment was Justice League (2017). In the shadow of Marvel, which is about to release Avengers: Infinity War, DC seeks a rebirth, and what better than having the creator of Jaws, E.T., Indiana Jones, and Jurassic Park on its side?
What's Next for DC Films?
On the cinematic front, DC isn't in its best moment despite having titles that were more than decent, such as Wonder Woman (2017) and Justice League (2017). We'll see where this new film lands after the announced releases: The Flash (2018), Aquaman (2018), Cyborg (2020), and Batman, whose release remains unknown after Ben Affleck's comments about stepping away from the cape. On the comics side, DC rebooted with Rebirth, which added Watchmen to its canon. Also, yesterday marked 80 years since Superman's debut, and Action Comics #1000 was released to celebrate.
Spielberg's Excitement
The relationship between the acclaimed director and Warner Bros seems more than solid. "It has been wonderful to work with the Warner Bros. team in bringing Ready Player One to the big screen. I am excited to get together with them for Blackhawk," Spielberg said.
Warner Bros' Response
Also enthusiastic was Toby Emmerich, president of Warner Bros Group: "We are very proud to be the studio behind Steven Spielberg's latest success and we want to work with him again. We cannot wait to see what new things he will bring to the global audience in Blackhawk."
Production Details
The film will be produced by Amblin Entertainment and Warner Bros Pictures. Another important name close to the creator of E.T. is David Koepp, screenwriter of War of the Worlds (2005), Jurassic Park (1993), Jurassic Park: The Lost World (1997), and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008). In the superhero world, he wrote Spider-Man (2002).
The Blackhawk Comic Origins
The story of Blackhawk revolves around a squadron of pilots from various countries facing Nazis during World War II. The squadron first appeared in 1941 in Military Comics #1. DC acquired the rights a few years later, as it belonged to Quality Comics. The creators were Will Eisner, Bob Powell Chuck Cuidera, and Reed Crandall. In 2011, Blackhawk made a return as "BlackHawks" in the New 52, though without any connection to the past Blackhawks.
A Long-Awaited Adaptation
In the mid-1980s, there were strong rumors about a Blackhawk adaptation, and Spielberg was the first interested party. It was also speculated that Dan Aykroyd (Ghostbusters) would star, who had worked with the director shortly before in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984). Eventually, everything fell through, and 30 years later, this story is getting a second chance.
The release date is still unknown, but before Blackhawk, Spielberg will tackle a new Indiana Jones sequel due in 2020, so we'll likely have to wait a few years to see this project materialize.
Source: DC Comics
