Val-Zod Superman Series to HBO Max?

According to Collider.com, actor Michael B. Jordan and his production company Outlier Society are working with HBO Max to produce a TV series focused on Val-Zod, a black Superman from a different reality.

Sources say that Outlier Society has hired a writer who is currently working on the script, though we were unable to ascertain their identity. Though it was initially unclear whether the Val-Zod project would be a movie or a limited series, sources have since reached out to clarify that as of right now, it is, in fact, being written as a limited series that Jordan will produce and possibly even star in, though he has yet to officially commit on the latter front.

This is a different project to the black Superman film JJ Abrams is putting together for Warner Bros. from a script being written by Ta-Nehisi Coates.

Watch this space…

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afriend
afriend
July 23, 2021 5:51 pm

Sure, why not?! Michael B. Jordan is an outstanding actor (though I’ve always wanted to see him play John Henry Irons/Steel), and I’m really curious to see how he does as a director with Creed III.
For the previously promised “Worlds of DC”, it feels like not as much movement has been happening as one would hope (sure, they can’t film easily, but announcements can be made and scripts can be written). So hopefully this will get things moving.

Cue our friend Superman2878 in 3…2…1…

Superman2878
July 23, 2021 7:15 pm
Reply to  afriend

This is really Interesting news. Makes me wonder if this is what J J Abrams will be working on.Michael is a great actor. I really like what he did in the Creed films. I’m sure that he would make an excellent Val-Zod Superman. And I really like that version of Superman as well. I do want to say though that while this is interesting news, and something that I’m very interested in seeing happen, what about a Kingdom Come Brandon Routh Superman series on HBOmax? I know that I keep saying it. And believe me I hate to sound like… Read more »

Last edited 2 years ago by Superman2878
Superman2878
July 23, 2021 9:26 pm
Reply to  Superman2878

Ok, I should have read the full article. How embarrassing. So I guess JJ won’t be a part of this project.

Last edited 2 years ago by Superman2878
Superman2878
July 23, 2021 10:16 pm
Reply to  Superman2878

I wonder if this will lead to a crossover of some kind. A Routh Superman,Cavill Superman, Hoechlin Superman, and quite possibly Jorden Superman crossover event. Given that Miller’s Flash already met Gustin’s Flash and now will meet Keaton’s Batman, anything’s possible now. I do think that if it happens, we’d probably be seeing one of the biggest crossover events in history. And probably one of the most successful crossovers as well. And if the multiverse concept becomes part of the DCEU. I’d say that it’s very likely at this point. They already opened that door a little bit during CW’s… Read more »

Last edited 2 years ago by Superman2878
Superman2878
July 24, 2021 11:55 pm
Reply to  afriend

Lol you know me to well afriend! 😀
By the way, Bring back Brandon Routh for Superman WB, HBOmax or CW. Just sayin…….

Superman2878
July 25, 2021 12:04 am
Reply to  Superman2878

Speaking of the CW, I don’t see any reason why they couldn’t bring back Routh’s Superman to lend Hoechlin’s Superman a hand for a few episodes every season. They do it all the time with John Wesley Shipp’s version of the Flash on the Flash series. Fans would love that! I know I would. Food for thought CW.

NeoRanger
NeoRanger
July 23, 2021 6:34 pm

Right, I’m just going to throw this out there; HBO seems to be butting heads with WB over DC. Them ordering or even greenlighting a “proper black Superman” (excuse the tasteless term) instead of the wishy-washy stuff JJ is producing is… interesting. From their perspective, it seems they’re paying attention to audience reactions and they get on everyone’s good graces by letting a fairly high profile actor do a project he has gone on record saying he is passionate about– as opposed to WB, who operate on a company line of (performative) diversity and reactionary profit. If this project pans… Read more »

afriend
afriend
July 23, 2021 7:02 pm
Reply to  NeoRanger

Ultimately, a three-way battle between WB, CW, and HBO still puts money in the same coffers, and as long as the cash flow is positive, I don’t think the board cares.
As for a competing film, well I know I complained about the lack of momentum above, but being real, there are a lot of false starts in Hollywood. Until they actually roll film, I wouldn’t make any bets.

Superman2878
July 23, 2021 9:02 pm
Reply to  afriend

If Disney had a portion of the property then it would get really interesting with four brands trying to take a claim. But given Disney works with Marvel and not DC, I don’t think that would happen. Still….What would a Disney/DC Superman movie look like? If WB has Cavill, and CW has Hoechlin, and HBOmax has Jorden, who would Disney pick for their Superman?

Last edited 2 years ago by Superman2878
NeoRanger
NeoRanger
July 24, 2021 2:15 am
Reply to  afriend

Sorry, I should’ve said AT&T instead of HBO. From the reports and rumors flying around, there’s a struggle for power and control between them and WB, when it comes to DC properties. Of course, in the end, all the money goes to essentially the same company, but who makes it happen seems to be a point of contention among the parties involved. They seem to have completely different ideas how they should approach these properties and AT&T doesn’t seem to have a lot of confidence in WB to succeed. Of course, this is always just speculation, but the timing of… Read more »

Last edited 2 years ago by NeoRanger
New Roosterman
New Roosterman
July 24, 2021 4:49 am
Reply to  NeoRanger

Whilst AT&T may own Warner Bros, as they are a subsidary company, directly speaking AT&T would not have much direct say on any DC properties. Only way to change that would be by changing the board of Warner Bros.

sundevil82
sundevil82
July 23, 2021 7:31 pm
Reply to  NeoRanger

I’m more interested in this MBJ project more than anything produced by JJ. I do still want a proper Superman movie though. MOS 2 will probably never happen.

Superman2878
July 23, 2021 9:06 pm
Reply to  sundevil82

Hey sundevil82! How are you buddy? It’s been a while. Hope you’re doing good. 🙂

redcape
redcape
July 23, 2021 9:15 pm
Reply to  sundevil82

I would say unfortunately,… you’re probably right regarding MoS2.

Last edited 2 years ago by redcape
NeoRanger
NeoRanger
July 24, 2021 2:18 am
Reply to  sundevil82

This seems to be the consensus from a little Twitter search I did as well, which is why I’m wondering whether or not this is an attempt to undermine the JJ project.

redcape
redcape
July 23, 2021 9:11 pm

Wokes the name of the game now a day. Isn’t big screen Black Atom on the way? (and I’m actually looking forward to it). After hearing countless socialist/liberal remarks coming from over rated actors out of the Phonywood industry pertaining to race, I’m sure we’re going to be treated to all kinds of “new” Black themed movies. Re-do everything that was White will be the new Phonywood norm. That’s what this is all about. This isn’t just about making a movie, it’s about replacing an institution. As far as I”M concerned…….there’s no such thing as Black Superman, but I’ll except… Read more »

JasEl
JasEl
July 24, 2021 12:57 pm
Reply to  redcape

They just cast a black woman to play Barbara Gordan in the Batgirl movie, they clearly have a bias against red heads

Superman2878
July 24, 2021 2:19 am

If I remember correctly, Val-Zod was taken in by Kal-el’s biological parents prior to Krypton’s destruction after his parents were executed for being extremists I think. So for a time Val was living with the el family. Which would mean that he was Kal-el’ adopted brother. Which gives him a legit reason for wearing the house of el insignia. That and earth 2 really needed a Superman after Kal-el was taken by Darkside. He’s a great charature and I’m glad that he’ll get some time in the spotlight if this news is true.

Last edited 2 years ago by Superman2878
Superman2878
July 24, 2021 12:27 pm

A thought had occurred to me. If this production will be based on the earth two comic book story, then we might possibly see an earth two version of Superman/Kal-el as well. So we would be seeing two different versions of Superman in the same show, theoretically speaking of course.

thesixthfinger
thesixthfinger
July 25, 2021 2:36 pm

I’m curious as to why they would say Val-Zod since he isn’t used much. I would rather see Calvin Ellis whom Michael B Jordan outright name-dropped once. Cal Ellis is also used much more in more high profile stories.

Either way I will wait until I see production starts to decide how it looks. We have a long history of Superman film projects talked about and not going through.

Superman2878
July 25, 2021 11:45 pm
Reply to  thesixthfinger

True. He did mention Calvin’s name when he was interviewed by Oprah. He did also say that he’s a comic book reader, so I’m guessing that maybe he decided to go with Val’s Superman instead. I guess it’s just a matter of wait and see for further developments.

Last edited 2 years ago by Superman2878