As we approach the end of 2020, it’s time to look back at the question that has plagued us all year—what the hell is going on with Todd McFarlane’s “Spawn” reboot film? Okay, so maybe that’s not a question that many people actually worry about (outside of this writer, as the saga has been nothing short of amusing). But one person wondering why McFarlane seems adamant on writing and directing his own “Spawn” film is the star of the original 1997 feature, Michael Jai White.
Speaking to CBR, White was asked about the idea of Todd McFarlane writing and directing his own “Spawn” film, and the actor didn’t necessarily offer up his endorsement of the move. In fact, he actually questions why the comic book creator is even bothering?
“He’s been trying to get a new movie up and going for 23 years so I don’t know. [Laughs],” said White. “The last time I saw him, he was telling me about his idea of Spawn being ethereal fog that you don’t see, like ‘Jaws,’ and he strikes and you never see him and I’m like ‘Okay, good luck with that!’ Personally, I wish him well, that would be a major investment.”
READ MORE: Jamie Foxx Says ‘Spawn’ Film Is Still Coming & Will Be “Something Special”
He continued, “I don’t know Todd to be a director at all. It’s kind of like Stan Lee: He created the character but he doesn’t direct him and I guess somebody would have to pony up a lot of money for Todd McFarlane to direct for his first time directing this movie idea that he has. I’ve heard about Jamie Foxx starring in it and wish them well. I don’t know, maybe it continues because this is what people like to hear from Todd McFarlane. He can get attention by promising another ‘Spawn’; I don’t get it.”
As alluded to up top, McFarlane’s most recent “Spawn” film idea seems to date back decades, but it has only flirted with development really strongly in the past couple of years. White isn’t completely wrong, as McFarlane has hinted that the title character in the upcoming film will be more of a presence than a caped crusader as he was in the previous film. And over the past couple of years, the film has been set up at Blumhouse with Jamie Foxx attached to star. But when you hear McFarlane talk recently, the film is either moving along at a great pace or completely falling apart. Frankly, it’s difficult to even know what is going on.
Regardless, it appears that White is not so much a fan of the idea of a reboot of “Spawn.” But not because he doesn’t want his ‘90s film to be overshadowed. Instead, he’s just confused (as we all are) about why McFarlane thinks he has the story figured out and what exactly this master plan will even look like? Maybe one day we’ll find out.