No one will hold it against you if you don’t remember 1997’s “Spawn.” The comic book adaptation debuted the same summer as another (in)famous superhero film, “Batman and Robin.” Fortunately for “Spawn,” the film is only remembered as the second worst comic book film of that summer. In the two decades since, Spawn creator Todd McFarlane has vowed to right the film’s wrongs and release a Spawn film worthy of his character. Now with the popularity of R-rated superhero films “Deadpool” and “Logan,” McFarlane’s vision for the reboot will be R-rated, like so R-rated.
Speaking at the recent Emerald City Comic-Con, McFarlane assured fans that the film is still in development, and to no one’s surprise, will definitely be R-rated. “Listen, I’m going to paint it for you. The movie is going to be a dark R … If here’s PG-13 and here’s ‘Deadpool’ and here’s ‘Logan,’ we’re going to be here. It’s going to be dark. It’s going to be nasty,” said McFarlane.
READ MORE: ‘Logan,’ ‘Deadpool’ & The Paradox Of The R-Rated Superhero Movie
Todd McFarlane has never been one for modesty throughout his career, and with the “Spawn” reboot, he’s made a name for himself as the film’s biggest hype man. In the last 20 years since the first film’s failure, he’s promised a small independent, self-funded horror movie, written and directed by none other than himself, where Spawn would be more like the shark from “Jaws,” seen in small doses, but looming around every corner. He’s given numerous updates including how much of the script is finished and production start dates that have come and gone. It’s seems as if McFarlane simply wants to will this film into existence.
However, if McFarlane is serious this time, and pre-production is indeed moving forward on the film, a “Spawn” reboot could succeed with today’s movie-going public. Spawn is a rare, big name comic character that hasn’t had a resurgence, and his decidedly adult stories could provide a welcome change of pace to the PG-13 formulaic superhero films of late.
However, until there’s an official announcement of any kind, take this news with a large grain of salt. [AV Club]
