After almost four years since his last appearance on the big screen, a new Superman film is in development, and it could be different from the other films that feature one of America’s most well-known superheroes.

Award-winning essayist and novelist Ta-Nehisi Coates has been hired to write a script for a Superman reboot film that will be produced by director J.J. Abrams, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Coates and Abrams confirmed the reports about the Superman reboot on Shadow and Act, a website that focuses on the African diaspora in the arts.

“To be invited into the DC Extended Universe by Warner Bros., DC Films and Bad Robot is an honor. I look forward to meaningfully adding to the legacy of America's most iconic mythic hero,” Coates said in a statement on the website.

Article Continues Below
More News
A general view of the Pac-12 logo at the Jon M. Huntsman Center before the game between the Utah Utes and the Arizona State Sun Devils.
Texas State informs Sun Belt of plans to leave for Pac-12Josh Davis ·
Featured image Javon Small
Emotional reaction of Javon Small’s grandpa to Grizzlies pick goes viralDylan Fine ·
Jun 4, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tim Lincecum (55) in the dugout during the eighth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. The Giants defeated the Reds 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-Imagn Images
Rare Tim Lincecum sighting sends Giants fans into frenzyMike Gianakos ·
One mystery player in the middle, Bryce Young, Alex Highsmith around him, Carolina Panthers logo in the background
1 obvious Carolina Panthers trade candidate entering 2025 training campEnzo Flojo ·
Marquette Golden Eagles guard Kam Jones (1) drives up the court during the first half of the game against George Mason on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at the Al McGuire Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Pacers adds Big East scoring machine after Spurs NBA draft tradeMiguel La Torre ·
Cooper Flagg embraces his mom Kelly Flagg after being selected as first overall by the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center.
Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg grabs attention with 1-word post after NBA DraftAlex House ·

Abrams, meanwhile, also expressed excitement at the hire of Coates and the possibility of telling a “new, powerful, and moving Superman story yet to be told.”

The feature film will reportedly be a Black Superman story, something which actor Michael B. Jordan previously tried to develop back in 2019.

Aside from being an acclaimed author of books like “Between the World and Me,” “The Water Dancer,” and “We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy,” Coates has also previously worked on Captain America and Black Panther comics.

While the film has yet to have an official release date, it will likely be the first feature film to feature Superman since 2017’s “Justice League,” which featured actor Henry Cavill playing Kal-El. Cavill also played the iconic hero in 2016’s “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” and 2013’s “Man of Steel.”