Summary

Jeff Wadlow is interested in directing the
Spawn
reboot due to his love for the comics from the ’90s.
Wadlow believes sticking to the source material and involving Todd McFarlane are key to success.
McFarlane’s creative control may be the obstacle preventing Wadlow from directing the project.

As the franchise continues to languish in development, Jeff Wadlow is throwing his hat in the ring to direct the Jamie Foxx-led Spawn reboot. Blumhouse boarded the new adaptation of Todd McFarlane’s iconic comic book franchise in 2017, with McFarlane himself penning the script and expected to direct the project, while Foxx will star in the titular role and Jeremy Renner as Twitch Williams. Wadlow, on the other hand, recently reunited with Blumhouse for the upcoming horror movie Imaginary after previously helming Truth or Dare and Fantasy Island at the studio.

While speaking with Screen Rant ahead of the release of Imaginary, Wadlow was asked his thoughts on potentially helming Blumhouse’s Spawn reboot after reuniting with the studio. The filmmaker was enthusiastic about his interest in throwing his hat into the ring, recalling his love for the comics in the ’90s and sharing what he feels is needed to make the reboot a success. Check out what Wadlow said below:

Oh my God, I would kill to make Spawn. Are you kidding? I bought Spawn #1 when it came out, back in ’92. I was all about the Image Comics stuff; I was a huge comic nerd in the ’90s, in high school. I still am, to tell you the truth.
To get it right? Make sure you go back to the source material. That’s critical. Make sure Todd McFarlane is really involved – I’m sure he will be, knowing what I’ve heard about Todd, let’s just say. And just get it right, man. Get it right. By the way, if anyone can get it right, it’s Blumhouse. They did such a great job with Five Nights, with Halloween… They understand how to respect IP, but also move it forward.

There’s One Thing In Wadlow’s Way To Directing Spawn

Interestingly, should Wadlow be brought on to be a part of the Spawn reboot, it would be his third comic book adaptation for the big screen. Though primarily known for the horror genre, the filmmaker previously directed 2013’s Kick-Ass 2, while also co-writing the script and developing the story for the Vin Diesel-led Bloodshot. Unfortunately for Wadlow, both movies garnered generally mixed-to-negative reviews from critics, but were considered modest financial successes, even with the latter dealing with pandemic-based theatrical shutdowns.

Despite his interest in directing the project, though, there is one major thing standing in Wadlow’s way of getting at the helm for the Spawn reboot, which is McFarlane himself. Due to the extensive changes made to his source material and the poor response to the 1997 movie, the comic creator has remained firm in wanting to hold creative control over the next adaptation of his comics. While directors and writers can work in tandem for a joint creative vision, it seems likely that McFarlane would prefer to sit in the former chair.

Related 8 Things The Spawn Reboot Needs To Get Right After The 1997 Movie Disaster A reboot of Todd McFarlane’s Spawn is finally within sight. Unfortunately, after the disastrous 1997 movie, fans have some pretty high expectations.

McFarlane has acknowledged the possibility he won’t get to direct the Spawn reboot in the past, noting that should a big-name studio pick up the project for multiple movies, they wouldn’t want a first-time director making the movie. However, with no other names circling the position on the movie, and Blumhouse keen on bringing the movie to the big screen in 2025, the chance for Wadlow to direct the reboot may become a reality. One can hope that if he’s brought on to the movie, Wadlow and McFarlane can find a joint creative vision for the Spawn reboot.

Spawn (Reboot) Spawn is an action-adventure horror reboot of the comic book property created by Todd McFarlane. Spawn was initially adapted for film in 1997, starring Michael Jai White in the lead role. Spawn first appeared in Image Comics in 1992 and has received much acclaim in the years since. Spawn appears on several “greatest comic book characters” lists. In 2015, McFarlane announced his intentions to make a reboot, which would be R-rated and star Jamie Foxx as the titular anti-hero.Studio(s) Blumhouse Productions , McFarlane Films Distributor(s) Blumhouse Productions Cast Jamie Foxx Franchise(s) Spawn