There’s been some significant movement on the Black comic adaptation from Studio 8. We’ve learned that The First Purge helmer Gerard McMurray will write and direct the film set in a universe where only Black people possess superpowers. The Black film project hails from Studio 8 and will be distributed by Warner Bros.
Black was created by Kwanza Osajyefo and Tim Smith III, with artists Jamal Igle and Khary Randolph. It tells the tale of Kareem Jenkins and how after miraculously surviving being gunned down by police, Kareem learns that he is part of the biggest lie in history. Now, he must decide whether it’s safer to keep it a secret or if the truth will set him free. Along his path, Jenkins discovers others like him, and together, they combat a widespread and oppressive global conspiracy to keep the knowledge that African-Americans do indeed have superpowers.
“Gerard is a gifted storyteller who has a unique ability to bring character, authenticity, and heart to every genre he approaches,” said Studio 8 CEO and founder Jeff Robinov. “When we saw his vision for Black, we knew he was the only one to bring this incredible comic series to the big screen.”
“Black is a bold and fresh spin on the superhero genre. I fell in love with the colorful world Kwanza and Tim created in the comics, and I’m excited to bring life to a story that entertains and challenges the audience at the same time. Black does just that,” said McMurray in a statement.
Robinov and John Graham will produce for Studio 8. Osajyefo and Smith will co-produce with Black Mask Studio’s Matteo Pizzolo and Brett Gurewitz, serving as producer and executive producer.
“Part of the inspiration for Black came from my experiencing the lack of representation in comics publishing and how that directly relates to the scarceness of black characters,” Osajyefo told Deadline in 2020. “For most of comics’ history, white outcasts have been used as allegories for marginalized groups while claiming to reflect the world outside our window. Black strips away this veneer to juxtapose superpowers with race while allowing black people to see themselves authentically in media and inviting wider audiences into parts of our experience. We’re excited to bring this story to everyone through film and thankful to Studio 8 for believing in it.”
“We became involved in developing this story over a year ago,” Studio 8 CEO Jeff Robinov previously told Deadline. “Black represents a new generation of storytellers and creators who can accurately tell black stories with the type of care the industry has lacked for decades. The thought-provoking concept caught our attention early on, and we’re proud to play a role in bringing this story to the screen.”
I’ve been waiting for more details about Osajyefo and Smith III’s Black comic for too long. I highly recommend checking out the comics from Black Mask Studios, of which there are multiple spinoff series. The world of Black is rich with story and character and delivers a powerful message to those willing to listen. I’m sure McMurray will bring something unique to the property, and I look forward to seeing the results.