So I guess the Valiant Cinematic Universe is indeed going to be a real thing. After the debut of those pics for the NINJAK VS. THE VALIANT UNIVERSE series, I thought it was for sure this endeavor was dead in the water – like the filmmakers realized that their ambitions were too lofty for their means. However, that doesn't seem to be the case, as one of the first films in the proposed cinematic universe – SHADOWMAN – has just nabbed a director. And it's none other than Reginald Hudlin (HOUSE PARTY, THE LADIES MAN), who has spent most of his career lately directing TV, but had also just wrapped a biopic on Thurgood Marshall called MARSHALL to be released later this year. His next project will be the aforementioned SHADOWMAN.
But who is SHADOWMAN? Well, according to The Hollywood Reporter, Shadowman "is a supernatural concept based around an African-American musician in New Orleans who becomes infected by a spirit that allows him otherworldly abilities. As the latest incarnation of the titular Shadowman, a mystical defender of Earth against demonic invasion, he has to protect against threats from Master Darque and other denizens of the netherworld known as the Deadside."
That sounds cool…as long as they have a budget. Like all the current Valiant films, SHADOWMAN will be developed in-house before being shopped to studios, but if the NINJAK series is anything to go by, that could get pretty rough. Hopefully this one gets the resources it needs, because I personally love the idea of a New Orleans musician fighting demons.
Now, it's too early in development for a release date, but we'll keep you Schmoes posted when we get more info.
