There are a few comic book movies outside of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and DCEU worth getting excited about over the next few years, but nothing quite like Spawn. Many fans have demanded a more faithful take on the character since the mediocre 1997 movie, and while a reboot is definitely coming, we still don't know much about it. That said, it now looks like we can finally confirm that the 2019 Spawn reboot will take place in the heart of The Big Apple. Spawn creator Todd McFarlane, who's also directing the reboot, addressed the New York setting and explained:
There are different places that give incentives for you to come and shoot the movies there. So, we're going to be looking at all those given that, you know we're not going to have a big budget, so we're going to want to stretch it as far as we can, right. And so, but, at the same time given that this world takes place in New York, we're going to have to be in a place that can be somewhat convincing at times, especially for some exterior shots... though my guess, I'll probably have to do a couple pick up shots actually here in New York City, but you know, so, you're looking at places like Detroit, and Cleveland and, I'm Canadian, Toronto.
This revelation shouldn't necessarily be too surprising, as New York City is a familiar setting for Spawn stories; the first movie took place there as well. It also seems to line up with other recent rumors suggesting that the story won't dive too far into the world of the supernatural (aside from Spawn himself) or have him battle a supervillain. The story needs a grounded and gritty setting where it can let its demonic anti-hero run wild, and New York is pretty much perfect for that, even if the film doesn't actually do much shooting there.
Todd McFarlane's emphasis on thrifty location scouting in his remarks to Comicbook.com is also going to be essential for the Spawn reboot because every dollar is going to count in the upcoming film. Unlike movies like Avengers: Infinity War or Justice League, Spawn won't have a massive budget, and it will try to get by with less -- not unlike recent R-rated X-Men films like Deadpool and Logan. Cheating a cheaper city like Detroit or Cleveland will save money in the long run, and that can go a long way towards locking down better effects or performers to help bring the story to life. McFarlane has also reportedly expressed interest in locking down Leonardo DiCaprio for the role of Twitch Williams, so it certainly makes sense that he wouldn't want to blow his budget on a costly shooting location.
With a New York setting and some tentative shooting locations officially locked down, it seems that Todd McFarlane's Spawn reboot is finally coming together. The film is expected to begin shooting next year, but until then, make sure to check out our 2018 movie premiere guide for more information on the upcoming year of film debuts!
