Dippe directed a live-action Spawn movie starring Michael Jai White.
But now McFarlane wants to try it again, and do it differently this time.
Hes now going to direct the film itself and produce it with Jason Blum and Blumhouse.
Credit: Michael Stewart/WireImage; Image Comics
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: You announced a new Spawn movie with Blumhouse.
Whats the status of that?TODD MCFARLANE:We just finished some of the notes.
Jason gave me some constructive criticism, and I finished my third draft with him.
Were hoping to begin budgeting by next week or the week after.
Once we have the budget, then we go and get the money outside Hollywood.
So who wants to maybe do a pre-distribution deal?
Which would mean agreeing on release date and number of screens.
The release date, if we make that deal, will be the next big news for the fans.
Once they see a date, itll be real to them.
His pedigree brings that.
So if we get half, its still $20 on a $10 million movie.
And what if we get lightning in a bottle?
We just saw thisItmovie raised it to $100 million.
Check, check, check.
We have to see if we can do the same.
And even if we got half that number, wed all be dancing naked.
This is your first time directing.
What are you looking forward to about that?Just to see if I can do it.
Theres a curiosity since I havent done it before.
Some people ask, are you intimidated or scared?
So why would this be any different?
Im going to surround myself with professionals.
She would just go wow, thats a nice movie.
If you put the team together, theyll make me look like a pro every single day.
Part two, Ive directed this movie in my head 1,000 times.
Why do I think I can direct it?
Because I have, in my head.
My frustration is gonna be, what do you mean I have to wait for lighting!
I dont have to wait for lighting in my brain!
What will be the major differences between this and the lastSpawnmovie?Lets just put them in buckets.
The first one was a superhero, effects-driven, action PG-13 movie.
There arent eight sharks inJaws, there arent nine Things inThe Thing.
Those are the movies I grew up with, I was never an action-movie guy.
How are you reflecting on all that?Im just showing the evolution for the character.
People ask if were doing an origin story, but nah.
Corporate comics can do that because they havent had the same person writing the characters for 25 years.
Ive had 25 years.
If you want that, go back and watch the original or the HBO series.
If you want the origin of this dude, its there.
25 years from now, I may give you another look.
I cant keep him in a stasis field.
Were now saying, just give us good stories.
Were not tied to a universe.
The fans will let us know what they want to read.
