‘Black Panther’s’ Michael B. Jordan To Produce DC Film ‘Static Shock’

Just because his iconic villain on Black Panter Killmonger is gone in the MCU, that doesn’t mean that Michael B. Jordan is done with the world of comic book superheroes and villains.

The actor is set to produce DC’s Static Shock alongside Reginald Hudlin who first revealed the project in August’s DC FanDome event. Jordan will be producing via his Warners-based banner Outlier Society.

“I’m proud to be a part of building a new universe centered around black superheroes; our community deserves that,” Jordan told The Hollywood Reporter. “Outlier Society is committed to bringing to life diverse comic book content across all platforms and we are excited to partner with Reggie and Warner Bros on this initial step.”

Jordan has been a vocal comic book fan and he has previously starred in a couple of comic book adaptations. This includes 2018’s Black Panther and 2015’s Fantastic Beasts. He also voiced Cyborg in 2013’s Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox. Now that he’s producing through Outlier Society, he’ll have more creative control over the feature as well as the opportunity to be directly involved in building a multi-platform franchise should the first film be a hit.

Static Shock was first introduced in 1993 and follows Virgil Hawkins, a teenage boy who gains electromagnetic powers and starts calling himself “Static” after being exposed to mutagen gas. It was adapted into an animated series from 2000 to 2004 and gained traction being the rare animated show that had a Black character lead. It also earned multiple Emmy nominations. In 2008, the character finally became part of the mainstream DC Comics universe.

Static Shock‘s first appearance was via Milestone Comics which was founded by Black writers and artists who wanted to transform comics into a more inclusive space. In 1997, however, the company shut down its comic book division. Now, DC will be relaunching Milestone placing Hudlin at the center of it. He will be writing a new Static Shock digital series which will begin in February 2021. He will also be working with cartoonist and animator Kyle Baker to produce a Static Shock graphic novel.  Hudlin is also now a partner in the label.

Jordan’s Outlier Society has been responsible for some of his most recent films including Creed II, Fahrenheit 451, and Just Mercy. The company has also worked with Netflix for Raising Dion and HBO for David Makes Man. Jordan also produced and starred in Without Remorse which will be out on Amazon next year. He will be working on the Denzel Washington directed A Journal for Jordan next.