Should There Be A Reboot To Spawn? Here’s What Fans Say
(Image Source: Facebook/T. McFarlane)
Spawn is a blockbuster comic book series that made its debut in 1992. Superstar comic book creator Todd McFarlane, who made his name drawing Spider-Man covers at Marvel in the 1980s, had just left Marvel. McFarlane and several other artists would later start Image Comics as a major independent company. Spawn #1 was the second Image title and sold almost 2 million copies at the time. The 1997 film, starring Michael Jai White, is a cult favorite but was not a hit. Almost 30 years later, comic book fans are asking, should there be a reboot to Spawn?
Who is Spawn?
Fans have been waiting for over three decades for a new Spawn film. A sequel to the 1997 film has been in development since 1998. Actor Jamie Foxx has been in talks to star in a reboot since 2013. Blumhouse Films said that the company would produce and release King Spawn in 2025 back in 2023, but that seems unlikely to happen.
Fans have been clamoring for a Spawn reboot since 1997. However, there is now a new generation of Spawn fans who were not even born when the first film came out. Even the new Spawn fans have become as cynical as the old-school fans. There are now decades of lip service about a Spawn reboot, but it never materializes.
While many fans are still waiting, many have given up. Numerous fans on social media have been asking for years if there should be a reboot of Spawn for years. Many would love to see it; just as many have begun not to care anymore.
Before we analyze what fans online are saying about the long-gestating reboot to Spawn, let’s briefly go over the character’s origin.
Spawn 101
Al Simmons is a mercenary who dies during a mission in Africa. Simmons makes a deal with the Devil to return to the world of the living to get back to his wife and child. Unfortunately, Simmons aesthetically looks like a burn victim. Five years have gone by since his death; his wife marries another man and starts a new life.
Simmons now has Hell-based powers and uses them to fight evil in the world. Spawn comics are notorious for its vibrant art, tackling adult themes and real-world issues about crime, corruption, injustice, and redemption.
Spawn is a red-hot comic book commodity. There is now an interconnected Spawn Universe of comics at Image Comics featuring new characters with connections to the original Spawn. For example, there are now Spawn-related titles like King Spawn, Gunslinger Spawn, Medieval Spawn, Rat City, She-Spawn, Angela, The Scorched, and Sam and Twitch. Incredibly, the Spawn Universe of comics will continue to expand.
Spawn might be the most successful independent comic book character ever, at least for its initial era. Still, if they can reboot and expand Spawn in the comics, why can’t they make a reboot of Spawn ‘97? What is going on?
Should There be a Reboot to Spawn?
While the 1997 Spawn film is a cult classic, it is one of those “so-bad-it’s-good” type of films. The film is campy, and the special effects are badly dated. There have been numerous Spawn animation specials and video games, but no sequel or reboot as of yet.
Should there be a reboot of Spawn? Here is what some fans had to say on social media recently.
Fan Sentiment
A 2024 Spawn Reddit page was very cynical about a potential reboot to Spawn happening anytime soon.
Redditor Furious_Dount wrote:
I will die before this movie comes out.
thatStrqnge left a post that said:
After the horrible failure of the first movie there’s a sour taste in his mouth about another.. only thing is now he taking too long to get it out.. I understand spending time but dam, it’s been 30 years..
Beginning-Pace-1426 cynically wrote:
In the time that I have been waiting for a sequel to the HBO animated series I have become an adult and now have a son that is the same age that I was when I watched it.
I hope to get him invested in it so that he too can spend his whole life hearing about the future of Spawn. Every couple of years I give ol’ Spawn a Google to see what the most recent projections that will never be met are (how i found this thread).
It’s been so long that Spawn is essentially going to be a new character making his debut, it we ever do truly get any content. I really hope we don’t just get some lame C movie that modern audiences mock. Then we can say “No you don’t understand he’s really cool” then they watch the 97 version and say “Okay Millenial.“
Will a Reboot to Spawn Actually Happen?
No one knows why it is taking so long for a reboot to Spawn to get the green light. Spawn is an independent character so McFarlance owns the rights to the character. Some critics think he might be too picky when it comes to licensing the character for another film. There might be issues with financing; Spawn is a very dark character with very dark themes and film producers may want the light comedy action perfected by the MCU.
Whatever the reason, it is safe to say that a reboot of Spawn is not coming anytime soon.
While you are waiting for the reboot to Spawn ‘97, try reading the comics that is constantly inspiring all this discussion.
Image Source: Amazon
Spawn Compendium Vol. 1 is a 1,110-page omnibus that collects the first 50 issues of the 1992 Spawn run. Get the paperback for $49.59 at Amazon now.
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Allen Francis is a full-time writer, prolific comic book investor and author of The Casual’s Guide: Why You Should Get Into Comic Book Investing. Allen holds a BA degree from Marymount Manhattan College. Before becoming a writer Allen was an academic advisor, librarian, and college adjunct for many years. Allen is an advocate of best personal financial practices including saving and investing in your own small business.
