Draft:King Spawn

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Blumhouse Productions
Todd McFarlane Entertainment

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King Spawn is an upcoming American superhero horror film written by Matt Mixon, Malcolm Spellman and Scott Silver. It is based on the Image Comics character Spawn and is the second live-action film to focus on the character, acting as a reboot to the 1997 film Spawn. The film is set to star Jeremy Renner as Maximilian "Twitch" Williams III, with Jamie Foxx as Albert "Al" Simmons / Spawn. The film will be produced by Todd McFarlane and Jason Blum, for their respective Todd McFarlane Entertainment and Blumhouse Productions banners.

The film has languished in development hell, initially planned as a sequel to the 1997 film. In 2007, McFarlane began writing the script, having the premise altered to a standalone film. In 2016, McFarlane completed the screenplay, and became attached as director with Blumhouse involved the following year. In 2018, Foxx and Renner were cast in the film. Various screenwriters were involved, until Silver, Spellman, and Mixon were finally attached in 2022. Filming was delayed numerous times, with it currently set to commence in 2024. The script was completed in July 2024, alongside the announcement of the film's title, with the search for a director underway.

Cast

Jeremy Renner as Maximilian "Twitch" Williams III: Director Todd McFarlane said Renner was his top choice for the character, saying "he radiates honesty, intelligence and a hard-working, everyman charisma, the same qualities that make Twitch such a compelling character." In the comics, Twitch works heavily alongside Sam, another cop, but McFarlane chose to exclude him from the film.{{cite web|url=https://movieweb.com/spawn-movie-remake-cast-jeremy-renner-twitch-williams/|title=Jeremy Renner Is Twitch Williams in the 'Spawn' Reboot|date=July 9, 2018|access-date=July 9, 2018|website=MovieWeb|first=Kevin|last=Burwick|archive-date=July 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713195651/https://movieweb.com/spawn-movie-remake-cast-jeremy-renner-twitch-williams/|url-status=live}}
Jamie Foxx as Albert "Al" Simmons / Spawn: In the comics, Al was a former United States Marine turned government assassin who is murdered and becomes a "Hellspawn" after making a deal with the demon Malebolgia.{{cite web|url=https://movieweb.com/spawn-movie-reboot-2019-jamie-foxx/|title=Jamie Foxx Is 'Spawn' in McFarlane's Blumhouse Reboot|date=May 29, 2018|access-date=May 29, 2018|website=MovieWeb|first=Ryan|last=Scott|archive-date=May 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180530001348/https://movieweb.com/spawn-movie-reboot-2019-jamie-foxx/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/robsalkowitz/2020/04/08/we-cant-just-sit-here-and-do-nothing-todd-mcfarlanes-urgent-advice-to-the-comics-industry/#59958299d211|title=Todd McFarlane's Urgent Warning To The Comics Industry: 'We Can't Just Sit Here And Do Nothing!'|website=Forbes|first=Rob|last=Salkowitz|date=April 8, 2020|access-date=April 16, 2020|archive-date=April 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412085539/https://www.forbes.com/sites/robsalkowitz/2020/04/08/we-cant-just-sit-here-and-do-nothing-todd-mcfarlanes-urgent-advice-to-the-comics-industry/#59958299d211|url-status=live}}

Production

=Earlier plans as sequel=

In 1998, the film was initially conceived as a standalone sequel to Spawn (1997) starring Michael Jai White, with a primary focus on the detective characters Sam and Twitch, with Spawn being planned to serve as a background character.{{cite web|last=Head|first=Steve|title=Michael Jai White Gives IGN FilmForce the Latest on 'Spawn 2'|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2001/03/12/michael-jai-white-gives-ign-filmforce-the-latest-on-spawn-2|website=IGN|access-date=March 21, 2007|date=March 12, 2001|archive-date=February 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219212353/http://www.ign.com/articles/2001/03/12/michael-jai-white-gives-ign-filmforce-the-latest-on-spawn-2|url-status=live}} Producer Don Murphy signed onto the project in 2001.{{cite web |last= Murphy |first= Don |title= Who Might Direct Transformers?|url=https://ign.com/articles/2003/07/10/who-might-direct-transformers |website= IGN |access-date= March 21, 2007 |date= July 10, 2003 |archive-date= August 8, 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140808144205/http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/07/10/who-might-direct-transformers |url-status= live }}

=Development=

In 2007, McFarlane Funding announced development of a new feature film adaptation of the character, titled Spawn, scheduled for release in 2008.{{cite web|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/news/1648901/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070819133958/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/news/1648901/ | archive-date = August 19, 2007 | url-status = dead| first = Scott | last = Weinberg | date = June 4, 2007 | title = Todd McFarlane Funding a New 'Spawn' Movie? | work = Rotten Tomatoes | access-date = September 4, 2018 }}{{cite web |title= Todd McFarlane Begins Work on New 'Spawn' Film|url=http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/8990 | website= Bloody Disgusting|via=Wayback Machine|access-date=December 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014022928/http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/8990|archive-date=October 14, 2007|date=October 26, 2007}} During an interview on the Scott Ferrall: Coast to Coast show on Sirius Satellite Radio, McFarlane said: "It's coming out no matter what. Even if I have to produce, direct and finance it myself, it's going to come out."{{cite web |last=Amaya |first=Erik |title=Todd McFarlane Promises A Dark 'Spawn' Movie ... Again|url=https://www.bleedingcool.com/2016/09/16/todd-mcfarlane-promises-a-dark-spawn-movie-again/ |website=Bleeding Cool |access-date=August 30, 2018|date=September 16, 2016 |archive-date=August 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180830174248/https://www.bleedingcool.com/2016/09/16/todd-mcfarlane-promises-a-dark-spawn-movie-again/ |url-status=live }}

McFarlane announced on August 2009 that he had begun writing the screenplay for a new movie based on the character, saying that "the story has been in my head for 7 or 8 years[...] The movie idea is neither a recap or continuation. It is a standalone story that will be R-rated. Creepy and scary", and that "the tone of this Spawn movie will be for a more older audience. Like the film The Departed."{{cite web|title=McFarlane Starts Writing New 'Spawn' Movie|url=http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=58290|website=ComingSoon.net|access-date=May 1, 2015|date=August 23, 2009|archive-date=July 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704172745/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=58290|url-status=live}} Jai White said in July 2011 that he was interested in returning to the role, expressing his support for McFarlane's film.{{cite web|last=Kendrick|first=Ben|title=Michael Jai White Wants to Return for a Hard-R Rated 'Spawn' Movie|url=http://screenrant.com/spawn-movie-michael-jai-white-r-rated-benk-124820/|website=Screen Rant|access-date=May 1, 2015|date=July 21, 2011|archive-date=April 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417090525/http://screenrant.com/spawn-movie-michael-jai-white-r-rated-benk-124820/|url-status=live}} In July 2013, Jamie Foxx said he was "aggressively pursuing" the Spawn reboot.{{cite web|last=Davis|first=Erik|title=Comic-Con Interview: Jamie Foxx on 'Spider-Man', 'Annie,' 'Sinister Six' and... a 'Booty Call' Sequel?|url=http://movies.com/movie-news/jamie-foxx-comic-con-interview/12932|website=Movies.com|via=Wayback Machine|access-date=January 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130808031540/http://movies.com/movie-news/jamie-foxx-comic-con-interview/12932|archive-date=August 8, 2013|date=July 19, 2013}} In August 2013, McFarlane discussed his progress with the script, stating that the film would be "more of a horror movie and a thriller movie, not a superhero one".{{cite web|last=McMillan|first=Graeme|title=Todd McFarlane Suggests 'Spawn' Remake Could Shoot Next Year|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/todd-mcfarlane-suggests-spawn-remake-614522|website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=October 18, 2017|date=August 26, 2013|archive-date=February 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206221944/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/todd-mcfarlane-suggests-spawn-remake-614522 |url-status=live}}

=Pre-production=

In February 2016, McFarlane announced he had completed the film's script.{{cite web|first=Lucas|last=Siegel|url=http://comicbook.com/2016/02/14/exclusive-todd-mcfarlane-is-finished-with-new-spawn-movie-script/ |title=Exclusive: Todd McFarlane Is Finished with New 'Spawn' Movie Script |website=Comicbook.com |date=February 14, 2016 |access-date=February 15, 2016 |archive-date=February 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160215055216/http://comicbook.com/2016/02/14/exclusive-todd-mcfarlane-is-finished-with-new-spawn-movie-script/ |url-status=live }} In July 2017, Blumhouse Productions confirmed their involvement with the film, while announcing that McFarlane had also signed on to direct the project.{{cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/new-spawn-movie-works-todd-mcfarlane-blumhouse-1023407| title=New 'Spawn' Movie in the Works From Todd McFarlane, Blumhouse|work=The Hollywood Reporter| date=July 21, 2017 |first=Borys |last=Kit|access-date=February 10, 2018|archive-date=February 10, 2018|archive-url=https://archive.is/20180210205348/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/new-spawn-movie-works-todd-mcfarlane-blumhouse-1023407}} The film was expected to begin production by February 2018.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/10/todd-mcfarlane-february-production-spawn-pledges-facebook-updates-1202182430/|title=Todd McFarlane Confirms February Start For 'Dark, R-Rated' 'Spawn'; Pledges Daily Facebook Updates – Comic Con|first=Greg|last=Evans|website=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|date=October 5, 2017|access-date=February 10, 2018|archive-date=February 10, 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20180210210520/https://deadline.com/2017/10/todd-mcfarlane-february-production-spawn-pledges-facebook-updates-1202182430/|url-status=live}} In May 2018, it was announced that Jamie Foxx would portray the titular character.{{cite web|last=Fleming Jr.|first=Mike|title=Jamie Foxx Set For 'Spawn,' Creator Todd McFarlane's Dark Blumhouse Adaptation|url=http://deadline.com/2018/05/spawn-jamie-foxx-todd-mcfarlane-jason-blum-blumhouse-movie-1202399090/|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=May 29, 2018|date=May 29, 2018|archive-date=November 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119064137/https://deadline.com/2018/05/spawn-jamie-foxx-todd-mcfarlane-jason-blum-blumhouse-movie-1202399090/|url-status=live}} In July 2018, it was reported that Jeremy Renner would be starring alongside Foxx as Detective Twitch.{{cite web |last=Ramée |first=Jordan |title=Jeremy Renner Set To Star In 'Spawn' Movie Alongside Jamie Foxx|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/jeremy-renner-set-to-star-in-spawn-movie-alongside/1100-6460275/ |website=GameSpot |access-date=July 11, 2018 |date=July 9, 2018 |archive-date=July 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180711152002/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/jeremy-renner-set-to-star-in-spawn-movie-alongside/1100-6460275/ |url-status=live }} In September 2018, Greg Nicotero and KNB EFX Group were hired to create the special effects for the film.{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/2018/08/29/spawn-movie-greg-nicotero-walking-dead-visual-effects/|title='The Walking Dead's Greg Nicotero Officially Joins Todd McFarlane's 'Spawn' Reboot|website=ComicBook|last=Ridgely|first=Charlie|date=September 9, 2018|access-date=February 19, 2020|archive-date=February 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219211641/https://comicbook.com/2018/08/29/spawn-movie-greg-nicotero-walking-dead-visual-effects/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/walking-deads-greg-nicotero-named-creature-designer-spawn-movie-1138295|title='Walking Dead's' Greg Nicotero Joins Todd McFarlane's 'Spawn' Movie as Creature Designer|website=The Hollywood Reporter|last=Kit|first=Borys|date=August 29, 2018|access-date=March 18, 2020|archive-date=March 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318020927/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/walking-deads-greg-nicotero-named-creature-designer-spawn-movie-1138295|url-status=live}} On October 25, 2018, the filming start date was delayed to June 2019.

In November 2019, the film restarted development due to the financial success of the R-rated comic book film Joker.{{cite web|url=https://theplaylist.net/todd-mcfarlane-joker-spawn-reboot-20191101/|title=Todd McFarlane Says 'Joker' Has Created More Interest From Hollywood In His R-Rated 'Spawn' Reboot|website=The Playlist|first=Charles|last=Barfield|date=November 1, 2019|access-date=January 14, 2020|archive-date=November 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191102170044/https://theplaylist.net/todd-mcfarlane-joker-spawn-reboot-20191101/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://movieweb.com/spawn-remake-movie-happening-joker-box-office-success/|title='Spawn' Reboot May Finally Get Going Thanks to 'Joker' Success|website=MovieWeb|last=Scott|first=Ryan|date=October 31, 2019|access-date=January 14, 2020|archive-date=December 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191215081730/https://movieweb.com/spawn-remake-movie-happening-joker-box-office-success/|url-status=live}} In December 2019, McFarlane hired an additional writer to help polish the script, before presenting it to a major Hollywood studio.{{cite web|url=https://www.joblo.com/movie-news/mcfarlanes-says-spawn-reboot-still-happening-after-script-revisions|title=Todd McFarlane's New 'Spawn' Film Getting Cleaned Up By A Second Filmmaker|website=JoBlo.com|first=Steve|last=Seigh|date=December 2, 2019|access-date=January 14, 2020|archive-date=January 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114193246/https://www.joblo.com/movie-news/mcfarlanes-says-spawn-reboot-still-happening-after-script-revisions|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://movieweb.com/spawn-movie-remake-script-update-todd-mcfarlane/|title='Spawn' Reboot Script Is Getting Polished, Todd McFarlane Promises It's Still Coming|website=MovieWeb|last=Scott|first=Ryan|date=December 2, 2019|access-date=January 14, 2020|archive-date=January 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114193415/https://movieweb.com/spawn-movie-remake-script-update-todd-mcfarlane/|url-status=live}} In February 2020, McFarlane announced that production news on the film will be revealed the following month.{{cite web|url=https://movieweb.com/spawn-remake-todd-mcfarlane-update-2020/|title=Todd McFarlane Refuses to Let His 'Spawn' Reboot Die, Promises Big News Soon|website=MovieWeb|last=Scott|first=Ryan|date=January 23, 2020|access-date=February 2, 2020|archive-date=February 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202224108/https://movieweb.com/spawn-remake-todd-mcfarlane-update-2020/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.flickeringmyth.com/2020/02/todd-mcfarlane-hopes-to-have-a-big-spawn-announcement-in-the-next-month/|title=Todd McFarlane hopes to have a big 'Spawn' movie announcement "in the next month"|website=Flickering Myth|last=Collinson|first=Gary|date=February 4, 2020|access-date=February 19, 2020|archive-date=September 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907124928/https://www.flickeringmyth.com/2020/02/todd-mcfarlane-hopes-to-have-a-big-spawn-announcement-in-the-next-month/|url-status=live}} Later that month, an unnamed Academy Award-winning screenwriter departed the film, due to scheduling conflicts.{{cite web|url=https://theplaylist.net/todd-mcfarlane-spawn-badass-r-rated-20200309/|title='Spawn': Todd McFarlane Is "Less Concerned" With The Plot As Long As The Character Is "Cool" & "Badass"|website=The Playlist|first=Charles|last=Barfield|date=March 9, 2020|access-date=March 9, 2020|archive-date=March 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321013501/https://theplaylist.net/todd-mcfarlane-spawn-badass-r-rated-20200309/|url-status=live}} In April 2020, McFarlane mentioned his first "subpar" draft of the screenplay had a hand in the film taking so long to get made.{{Cite web|title=Todd McFarlane Blames His First, Subpar 'Spawn' Script For Making It Difficult To Get The Reboot Made|url=https://theplaylist.net/todd-mcfarlane-bad-spawn-script-problems-20200415/|access-date=October 5, 2022|website=theplaylist.net|date=April 15, 2020 |archive-date=October 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005162422/https://theplaylist.net/todd-mcfarlane-bad-spawn-script-problems-20200415/|url-status=live}} In May 2020, the film's producer Jason Blum revealed that "There has been an enormous amount of activity on Spawn. No new news that I'm going to reveal here, I'm sorry to tell you, but the title 'Spawn,' I've been uttering that word a lot in the last two or three weeks and we'll have more news to come. But, suffice it to say, it is in very active development."{{cite web|url=https://movieweb.com/spawn-remake-production-update-blumhouse-jason-blum/ |title='Spawn' Reboot Producer Teases Seismic Event, Says News Is Coming Soon |website=MovieWeb |last=Scott |first=Ryan |date=May 25, 2020 |access-date=May 26, 2020 |archive-date=June 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200601200419/https://movieweb.com/spawn-remake-production-update-blumhouse-jason-blum/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/spawn-movie-update-jason-blum-todd-mcfarlane-details/ |title='Spawn' Producer Jason Blum Teases "Seismic Event" for Production (Exclusive) |website=ComicBook.com |last=Cavanaugh |first=Patrick |date=May 22, 2020 |access-date=May 26, 2020 |archive-date=June 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200601025133/https://comicbook.com/movies/news/spawn-movie-update-jason-blum-todd-mcfarlane-details/ |url-status=live }} In August 2021, it was revealed that Brian Tucker had been hired to rewrite the screenplay, who had experience writing in the comic book media, as he wrote several episodes for Marvel Studios' miniseries Secret Invasion (2023).{{Cite web|last=Kit|first=Borys|date=August 13, 2021|title='Spawn' Movie Gets 'Broken City' Scribe as New Writer (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/spawn-movie-gets-broken-city-scribe-as-new-writer-1234997780/|access-date=August 13, 2021|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en-US|archive-date=August 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813225611/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/spawn-movie-gets-broken-city-scribe-as-new-writer-1234997780/|url-status=live}} In July 2022, McFarlane mentioned that there had been discussions about potentially abandoning the movie concept and developing Spawn into a streaming series instead.{{Cite web |last=Lund |first=Anthony |date=July 27, 2022 |title=Todd McFarlane Gives Hope to Spawn Reboot Escaping Development Hell|url=https://movieweb.com/todd-mcfarlane-gives-hope-spawn-reboot-escaping-development-hell/ |access-date=August 1, 2022 |website=MovieWeb |language=en-US |archive-date=July 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220729102743/https://movieweb.com/todd-mcfarlane-gives-hope-spawn-reboot-escaping-development-hell/ |url-status=live }} He also mentioned that there would be an update later that year at New York Comic Con 2022, which was set to run from October 6–9.{{Cite web |last=Blum |first=Jeremy |date=July 22, 2022 |title=Todd McFarlane Reveals When a Big Spawn Movie Announcement Will Arrive|url=https://www.cbr.com/spawn-movie-todd-mcfarlane-teases-big-announcement-sdcc-2022/ |access-date=August 1, 2022 |website=CBR |language=en-US |archive-date=August 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220801112836/https://www.cbr.com/spawn-movie-todd-mcfarlane-teases-big-announcement-sdcc-2022/ |url-status=live }} In August 2022, Foxx announced he was still attached to the film, saying he is "getting this right", while comparing the film's tone and budget to Joker.{{cite web|url=https://theplaylist.net/jamie-foxx-compares-new-spawn-film-to-joker-is-still-working-on-getting-this-right-20220808/ |title=Jamie Foxx Compares New 'Spawn' Film To 'Joker' & Is Still Working On "Getting This Right" |website=The Playlist |first=Charles |last=Barfield |date=August 8, 2022 |access-date=September 14, 2022 |archive-date=September 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220914013443/https://theplaylist.net/jamie-foxx-compares-new-spawn-film-to-joker-is-still-working-on-getting-this-right-20220808/ |url-status=live }} In October 2022, it was announced that Scott Silver, Malcolm Spellman, and Matthew Mixon had been hired to pen a new draft on the screenplay; the former two having experience writing in the comic book media, as Silver co-wrote DC Films' Joker and it's sequel Joker: Folie à Deux (2024), while Spellman served as the series creator for Marvel Studios' miniseries The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021) and co-wrote the film Captain America: Brave New World (2025). McFarlane has also expressed his doubts on him staying attached as director, as well as the involvement of Renner being unknown.{{Cite web |last=Couch |first=Aaron |date=October 5, 2022 |title='Spawn' Movie Finds New Writers with 'Joker,' 'Captain America 4' Scribes (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/spawn-movie-finds-new-writers-jamie-foxx-1235232458/ |access-date=October 5, 2022 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |archive-date=October 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005181248/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/spawn-movie-finds-new-writers-jamie-foxx-1235232458/ |url-status=live }} In March 2023, McFarlane revealed that the movie's budget would increase from the previously estimated $10 million and that some major A-list talent had been attached to the film.{{Cite web |last=Perine |first=Aaron |date=March 24, 2023 |title=Todd McFarlane Reveals Spawn Becoming Bigger Budget Movie With A-List Talent Attached|url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/spawn-movie-todd-mcfarlane-bigger-budget-movie-a-list-talent-update/ |access-date=March 24, 2023 |website=ComicBook.com |language=en |archive-date=March 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324171736/https://comicbook.com/movies/news/spawn-movie-todd-mcfarlane-bigger-budget-movie-a-list-talent-update/ |url-status=live }} In June 2023, Blum mentioned the film was still in very active development, despite the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike, and that he gave an estimated release date of 2025.{{Cite web |title=Spawn Movie in Very, Very Active Development, Predicted 2025 Release According to Blumhouse Head Jason Blum (Exclusive)|url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/spawn-movie-predicted-2025-release-blumhouse-jason-blum-exclusive/ |access-date=June 28, 2023 |website=Comic Book |date=June 28, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=June 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628193945/https://comicbook.com/movies/news/spawn-movie-predicted-2025-release-blumhouse-jason-blum-exclusive/ |url-status=live }} Scriptwriting was eventually suspended for the duration of the WGA strike.{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/spawn-movie-reboot-script-updates-production/ |title=Spawn Reboot Writers Were THIS Close To Finishing The Script Before The Strike |last=Zinski |first=Dan |website=Screen Rant |date=September 22, 2023 |access-date=September 25, 2023}} In September 2023, following the conclusion of the 2023 WGA strike and during press junkets for The Exorcist: Believer, Blum doubled down on the 2025 release date.{{Cite web |title=Jason Blum Stands by Spawn 2025 Release Date, Says Script They Feel Great About Is Close (Exclusive)|url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/spawn-movie-reboot-release-date-2025-official-confirmed/ |access-date=October 1, 2023 |website=ComicBook |date=September 29, 2023 |language=en}} That same month, composer Charlie Clouser expressed interest in composing the score for the Spawn reboot.{{Cite web |title=Saw Composer Charlie Clouser Wants to Score the Upcoming Spawn Film|url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/saw-composer-charlie-clouser-upcoming-spawn-film/ |access-date=October 1, 2023 |website=ComicBook |date=September 29, 2023 |language=en}} In January 2024, McFarlane revealed that if Blumhouse doesn't begin production on the film later that year, he'll make it with outside investors.{{Cite web |title=Todd McFarlane Has Outside Investors Waiting to Make Spawn Movie if Hollywood Doesn't Make It Happen This Year (Exclusive)|url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/spawn-movie-future-update-todd-mcfarlane-investors-hollywood-blumhouse-independent/ |access-date=January 3, 2024 |website=ComicBook|date=January 3, 2024 |language=en}} In July 2024, McFarlane revealed the film's title would be King Spawn, and reaffirmed the involvement of Mixon, Spellman, Silver, and Blum in the project.{{Cite web |last=Squires |first=John |date=July 22, 2024 |title='King Spawn' – Jason Blum Teases New Screenplay for Long-Awaited 'Spawn' Movie |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3821337/king-spawn-jason-blum-teases-new-screenplay-for-long-awaited-spawn-movie/ |access-date=July 22, 2024 |website=Bloody Disgusting! |language=en-US}} That same month, it was reported that, following the completion of the film's script, the project was undergoing a search for a new director. It was also expressed that it was unknown if Jamie Foxx would still be attached to the project.{{Cite web |last=Couch |first=Aaron |date=July 25, 2024 |title='Spawn' Movie on the Hunt for a Director |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/spawn-movie-director-todd-mcfarlane-1235958221/ |access-date=July 26, 2024 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}

=Filming=

Filming was expected to commence in either February 2018, or June 2019,{{cite web|url=https://movieweb.com/spawn-movie-reboot-production-start-summer-2019/|title='Spawn' Shoot Has Been Delayed Until Summer 2019|website=MovieWeb|last=Scott|first=Ryan|date=October 25, 2018|access-date=October 26, 2018|archive-date=October 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025222601/https://movieweb.com/spawn-movie-reboot-production-start-summer-2019/|url-status=live}} but was delayed for unknown reasons. In March 2020, McFarlane announced that filming was set to begin before the end of the year.{{cite web |last=Sprague |first=Mike |title=Todd McFarlane says R-rated 'Spawn' reboot happening this year!|url=https://www.joblo.com/horror-movies/news/todd-mcfarlane-says-r-rated-spawn-reboot-happening-this-year |website=JoBlo.com |access-date=March 8, 2020 |date=March 3, 2020 |archive-date=March 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327215518/https://www.joblo.com/horror-movies/news/todd-mcfarlane-says-r-rated-spawn-reboot-happening-this-year |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://movieweb.com/spawn-movie-remake-production-start-2020-todd-mcfarlane/|title='Spawn' Reboot Will Shoot This Year Thanks to the Success of 'Joker'|website=MovieWeb|last=Scott|first=Ryan|date=March 3, 2020|access-date=November 1, 2022|archive-date=March 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200304000525/https://movieweb.com/spawn-movie-remake-production-start-2020-todd-mcfarlane/|url-status=live}} However, this has since changed due to the events of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cn|date=January 2021}} In October 2022, McFarlane said they planned to begin filming in early 2023.{{Cite tweet |title=BREAKING #SPAWNMOVIE NEWS!!!! |user=todd_mcfarlane|number=1577693892455137280|access-date=October 5, 2022 |language=en}} In February 2023, McFarlane teased that a draft of the script to sell would be ready by mid-2023, but commencing forward could be delayed due to the "Hollywood double strike".{{cite web |last=Periera |first=Sergio |title=EXCLUSIVE: Todd McFarlane Explores the Spawn Universe and Shares Details on Jamie Foxx Film|url=https://www.cbr.com/exclusive-todd-mcfarlane-spawn-universe-interview/ |website=Comic Book Resources |access-date=February 25, 2023 |date=February 17, 2023 |archive-date=February 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230225011114/https://www.cbr.com/exclusive-todd-mcfarlane-spawn-universe-interview/ |url-status=live }}

Release

Throughout 2023, King Spawn was aiming to be theatrically released in 2025. However, in February 2025, McFarlane expressed uncertainty over any probable release window, while confirming active production hasn't commenced.{{cite web |last1=Singletary |first1=Anthony |title=‘King Spawn’ Movie Gets Disappointing Update From Creator Todd McFarlane (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://heroichollywood.com/king-spawn-movie-update-creator-todd-mcfarlane-exclusive/ |website=Heroic Hollywood |access-date=May 20, 2025 |date=February 12, 2025}}

Spin-off series

In April 2020, McFarlane teased the possibility of a television series spin-off of King Spawn.{{cite web|url=https://www.joblo.com/horror-movies/news/todd-mcfarlane-says-live-action-spawn-tv-series-a-possibility |title=Todd McFarlane Says Live-Action 'Spawn' TV Series A Possibility |website=JoBlo.com |first=Damion |last=Damaske |date=April 16, 2020 |access-date=May 15, 2020 |archive-date=April 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200422013442/https://www.joblo.com/horror-movies/news/todd-mcfarlane-says-live-action-spawn-tv-series-a-possibility |url-status=live }} In June 2021, it was revealed that a Sam and Twitch TV show was in the works from Jason Smilovic and Todd Katzberg, with McFarlane executive producing under his McFarlane Films television banner alongside wiip's Paul Lee and Mark Roybal.{{Cite web|last=Couch|first=Aaron|date=June 10, 2021|title=Todd McFarlane Developing 'Sam and Twitch' TV Show|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/todd-mcfarlane-sam-and-twitch-tv-show-spawn-universe-1234965491/|access-date=August 13, 2021|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en-US|archive-date=August 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813232854/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/todd-mcfarlane-sam-and-twitch-tv-show-spawn-universe-1234965491/|url-status=live}}