Have you ever read Joe Hill's The Cape? Published by IDW, The Cape tells the tale of how every little boy dreams about putting on a cape and soaring up, up, and away… but what if one day that dream were to come true? Eric was like every other eight-year-old boy, until a tragic accident changed his life forever. The Cape explores the dark side of power, as the adult Eric – a confused and broken man – takes to the skies… and sets out to exact a terrible vengeance on everyone who ever disappointed him. Now, I'm not implying that the upcoming James Gunn-produced superhero horror BRIGHTBURN is taking more than a few cues from Hill's ultra-violent series … or am I? Either way, you should totally read The Cape, especially if BRIGHTBURN looks like your cup o' tea.
Directed by David Yarovesky (GHILD, THE HIVE), BRIGHTBURN is a 'What if' story about a child from another world who crash-lands on Earth, but instead of becoming a hero to mankind, is transformed into something far more sinister. Written by Brian and Mark Gunn, the spine-tingling superhero film stars Elizabeth Banks (THE HUNGER GAMES series, CHARLIE'S ANGELS), David Denman (LOGAN LUCKY, THE GIFT), Matt Jones (HOME, RED STATE), and Jackson A. Dunn of SHAMELESS fame as Brandon Breyer / Brightburn.
As you can see from the above trailer, BRIGHTBURN looks to explore the dark side of superpowers, and what can happen when the wrong person inherits gifts beyond our mortal comprehension. And finally, right? I mean, Josh Trank's CHRONICLE had its time and place, but I think we're overdue for a feature that shows that not everyone with superpowers is ready to go to the mattresses for humankind. After all, variety is the spice of life, and even superheroes need a day off at the box office, right?
BRIGHTBURN will soar into theaters on May 24th.