Summary

• Spawn, created by Todd McFarlane, is one of the most recognizable comic book characters not owned by Marvel or DC.
• After years of development, Blumhouse is finally rebooting the Spawn movie with Jamie Foxx in the lead role.
• King Spawn is set to release in 2025, and despite delays, the producer has confirmed that it will arrive as planned.

Decades after first being teased by creator Todd McFarlane, King Spawn is on the way from Blumhouse, and there’s much to discuss around the superhero movie. Launched by Image Comics in 1992’s Spawn #1, Todd McFarlane’s Spawn is one of the most recognizable comic book characters not owned by Marvel or DC. Spawn has already had several adaptations, including a critically acclaimed animated TV series and a less-than-critically-acclaimed live-action movie the same year.

While the Spawn movie starring Michael Jai White as Al Simmons/Spawn wasn’t the commercial success studio New Line Cinema had hoped, it managed to gain a cult following over the years. Interest in the franchise has held, and Todd McFarlane is now teaming up with Blumhouse for the Spawn reboot called King Spawn. Jamie Foxx is taking over the title role, and there’s already been a great deal of development on what may be one of the longest-gestating comic book movies in history.

Most Recent King Spawn News

Todd McFarlane Discusses King Spawn's Progress

Just days after he made a cryptic post on social media concerning the movie, the latest news sees King Spawn at San Diego Comic-Con. Appearing at a during the yearly event, comic book icon Todd McFarlane clarified his previous social media posts which revealed the script title page. According to McFarlane, the purpose of the post was to reveal that the script draft was finished, but the title King Spawn might not stick. He also mentioned he hopes that the movie will launch a cinematic franchise, and that it will likely be rated R.

Blumhouse’s King Spawn Is Confirmed

The Movie Has Been In The Works Since 1998

The movie now known as King Spawn was first announced by Todd McFarlane in 1998, but it wasn’t until 2017 when Blumhouse became involved, that the project gained momentum. However, it would be another three years before Blumhouse confirmed that active development on the Spawn reboot had started.

1997's Spawn earned a paltry 17% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Blumhouse's King Spawn Production Status

Jason Blum Promises Spawn In 2025

King Spawn has long had a release window of 2025, and while there isn’t a more specific date yet, producer Jason Blum has consistently reaffirmed it would be arriving as planned. "2025 is when Spawn is going to come out. I stand by that." Blum restated to Comicbook.com in September 2023. Todd McFarlane announced in July 2024 that the movie is now called King Spawn, and though several details are still elusive, it suggests things are finally moving forward.

Blumhouse's King Spawn Cast

Jamie Foxx Is Attached To Star

The Blumhouse adaptation of King Spawn is being led by Jamie Foxx. Foxx, known for multiple hits like Django Unchained and Ray, and more recently, Strays and Day Shift. He is playing Al Simmons who eventually becomes the titular anti-hero Spawn. There have yet to be any further casting announcements, such as who will play Spawn's foil, Violator, though Todd McFarlane had teased King Spawn would feature more A-Listers alongside Jamie Foxx.

Blumhouse's King Spawn Story

Will The Movie Adapt The King Spawn Comics?

What differs is the approach to the storytelling, and King Spawn is often more of a gritty thriller than the typical baddie-of-the-month superhero story.

Though nothing has been revealed about the plot of King Spawn, the announcement of the movie's full title could be a hint about what's to come. King Spawn is an offshoot within the comic franchise that debuted in 2021 with King Spawn #1 and has continued into 2024. It runs concurrently with the other Spawn titles, but is noted for its emphasis on darker themes. This could carry over into the movie, and could even suggest that King Spawn won't be the origin story that many were expecting.

In King Spawn, Al Simmons is still an ex-marine who is murdered, and he still returns to Earth as a Hellspawn to punish those destined for hell. What differs is the approach to the storytelling, and King Spawn is often more of a gritty thriller than the typical baddie-of-the-month superhero story. It's unclear if the title choice is merely a way to drive eyes toward the comic series, or if King Spawn will share the same tone as its namesake.