In case you missed it back in October Comic Book Resources, Variety and the Hollywood reporter that Warner Bros. had announced Blue Ribbon Content as the official name of its short-form digital division, as well as revealed new projects set for the digital entertainment realm — including a live-action “Static Shock” project with Django Unchained producer Reginald Hudlin set to executive produce. Here are the details:
Writer/producer/director Reginald Hudlin (Best Picture Oscar nominee for producing Django Unchained) leads the creative team behind a live-action adaptation of Static Shock, featuring the African-American super hero Static, aka Virgil Ovid Hawkins. Static Shock is based on the Static comic co-created by the late Dwayne McDuffie with co-writer Robert L. Washington III and artist John Paul Leon, which was originally published by the DC Comics imprint Milestone Comics and, later, by DC Comics. Milestone Media co-founder/comic book artist/TV producer Denys Cowan (the original Static Shock animated series) is collaborating with Hudlin on the new Static Shock.
Other details on the project are sparse at the moment but readers need to know that the character of Virgil Ovid Hawkins was created by Denys Cowan, Dwayne McDuffie, Derek Dingle, Christopher Priest and Micheal Davis though only Dwayne McDuffie and Robert L. Washington III, and artist John Paul Leon are usually credited as his creators.
This is a welcome development as fans who grew up on the TV series but never graduated to the more gritty original comic version can soon enjoy all the glory of a comic book faithful Static live action series that if successful may also introduce Rocket/Raquel Irvin, Icon/Augustus Freeman, Hardware/Curtis Metcalf and the Blood Syndicate. Think Arrow and what happened with the Flash TV series and the Suicide Squad movie announcement, it has that level of possibility! All of this has my little Milestone fanboy ass truly excited!
Fans have also asked me why I’m not worried and it’s like Michael Davis (MOTU) said on his facebook page:
Ones an Academy award nominated producer and director the other is the most respected three time Eisner nominated African-American artist to work in modern comic books.
Let’s try not be worried and just be excited!
Last year we compiled a list of Milestone’s Top Twenty Black super-beings be sure to check that out RIGHT HERE!
We also have a pretty in depth Static Shock Biography that can be viewed HERE!
Join in on our facebook discussion on your level of enthusiasm below or on our facebook page.
More as it breaks!
[Source: Newsarama, Slashfilm]