In the comics, Al Simmons is a black-ops soldier betrayed and killed by his own.
Theres a mechanism for the character of Spawn to talk, but Spawn himself wont, he says.
So theres gonna be two forms.

Credit: Steve Granitz/WireImage; Image Comics
So when the form of Spawn comes, then thats it, then its just go time.
Ive never been a fan of listening or wanting to see the ghost talk.
So when the ghost is there, hes not gonna talk.

Todd McFarlane/Facebook
But is there a reason why I need an actor?
Of course I do.
So there will be a voice given to the character, it just wont be when hes in costume.

Todd McFarlane/Instagram
So I think hes gonna rock.
ThefirstSpawnmovie, directed by Mark A.Z.
Dippe and starring Michael Jai White, came out in 1997 with McFarlane producing.
All of the other studios I talked to were like, Todd, this is way too small.
[Blum] just went, No, you want to make it small and creepy?
Ill help you get there.'
Deadlinewas the first to report the news of Foxxs casting.