Marvel and DC may be putting out multiple superhero movies a year, but there are other smaller superhero projects worthy of attention. Supernatural anti-hero Spawn is one of them. Todd MacFarlane has been attempting to get his original creation a big screen redemption, and the project gained serious steam when it was picked up by Blumhouse. The Spawn reboot is noteworthy for being a hard R-rated horror movie, but it may be the first superhero movie where the superhero isn't even the main character. Here's what MacFarlane said about how Spawn will handle its title character.
I like to explain that it's my Jaws. Spawn doesn't say a word the entire movie, and it's the same way with Jaws. It's about the sheriff and the people, chasing the ghost. That's it...The lead role isn't Spawn, the lead role is a cop, like Sheriff Brody from Jaws. I think we can hook a fairly significant actor that we want. Unlike a superhero movie, we wouldn't need an actor to put on prosthetic (makeup) or go to the gym. We just need him to act.
We don't often think of Jaws as a horror movie, but that's exactly what it is. The shark is as much of a villain as Freddy Kreuger or Jason Voorhees, picking off his prey one by one until he's finally put down by the hero. Jaws is barely seen in the movie, but that's exactly what makes him so terrifying. Evidently, Todd MacFarlane will be taking a page out of Steven Spielberg's book, by making Spawn the unseen force in his movie.
Todd MacFarlane explained to azcentral that his Spawn move isn't going to go the way that most were likely expecting. The character Spawn isn't the main character; that luxury goes to an unnamed human cop. Spawn is more like a looming presence, popping up to cause a little trouble and then disappearing. Apparently, Spawn won't even say one word in the movie. Spawn isn't mute in the comics; he has whole thoughts and opinions on things, but it sounds like this movie may work better if Spawn is more of an enigma.
This is definitely a bold choice for the movie, but far be it from me to question the creative decisions of the man who knows Spawn better than anyone. It's likely a choice for the better, as even just the few details we already know set Spawn apart from its superhero competition. Todd MacFarlane wrote the script and will direct and produce (which was a non-negotiable point for MacFarlane) the film, which is a limited budget horror movie set in New York City.
Spawn is still in the earliest stages of development, but be sure to check back with CinemaBlend and we'll keep you updated with all the newest information as soon as it is available.
