Ever since we learned that ‘Black Lightning‘ was going to join The CW’s DC line-up we’ve been waiting for a shot of Cress Williams (‘Friday Night Lights’,’Veronica Mars’) in costume and today the network has finally delivered just that! With production having kicked off in Atlanta, it was only a matter of time before images came out, so a well done promotional shot was probably the right way to go. The series will have Salim Akil on writing duties. He has also taken the time to share a bit about how the character is being developed below.
Laura Jean Shannon (‘Iron Man,”Scott Pilgrim vs. The World’) is behind the freshly updated suit on the character who Tony Isabella and Trevor Von Eeden created.
In the story, Williams will be taking on the role of Jefferson Pierce who was the superhero Black Lightning but gave up both his secret identity and responsibilities with it to focus on being a father. However, his daughter is “hellbent on justice” and with local gang activity on the rise he is returning to the world of crime fighting that he gave up years ago to be a vigilante once again.
According to Akil:
“I knew way too much about the world as a young boy growing up in Richmond, California. I was no stranger to violence, death, hopelessness or the feeling that no one cared about what was happening in my life. Comics were a great way for me to escape. I was about 13 when Black Lightning was created, and finally, there was a Black Super Hero that gave a damn about our neighborhood and our lives.
Resurrecting him at a time in our society when a sense of hope is lacking…Black Lightning will be that hope. And in updating the suit, it will signal to a new generation that it’s time to harness and release our power and become our own Super Heroes.”
This series clearly isn’t just another job for Akil but a passion project as well who can bring his real life experiences to the screen mixed with the superhero that he grew up reading.
Are you looking for ‘Black Lightning’ showing up on The CW? Do you feel that he’ll crossover with the rest of DC’s heroes on the network or will his show be a stand alone? Share your thoughts below!
Source: Deadline.
Stuart Conover is an author, blogger, and all around geek. When not busy being a father and husband he tries to spend as much time as possible immersed in comic books, science fiction, and horror! Would you like to know more? Follow him on Twitter!
