J.J. Abrams is developing a new DC show for HBO Max centered around Madame X. When Warner Bros. announced plans to launch its own streaming service, it didn't take long for the possibility of DC projects heading to the streamer to become a reality. The studio is in various stages of development on a Green Lantern anthology series, a The Batman prequel with Matt Reeves, and a Peacemaker series from James Gunn that connects to The Suicide Squad. HBO Max will also be the home to Harley Quinn, Titans, and other shows that were originally meant for DC Universe.
Included in the list of DC projects in development for HBO Max are a few tied to the Justice League Dark team and concept. J.J. Abrams is working with DC and HBO Max to create a Justice League Dark universe. This will include a Constantine show and reportedly a Zatanna solo movie. The plan is for the various Justice League Dark characters to eventually crossover in a Justice League Dark project. Now, we know of another character Abrams seemingly wants to include in this universe.
According to a report from THR, J.J. Abrams and his Bad Robot production company are developing a new HBO Max original show based on the DC character Madame X. Abrams is working with Angela Robinson on the series, and she will reportedly write and produce the scripted drama series. The Madame X series comes as Robinson has signed an overall deal with Warner Bros. TV. The show is said to be in the early stages of development, but it is expected to be tied to Abrams' larger Justice League Dark plans.
Madame X, also know as Madame Xanadu or Nimue Inwudu, is a powerful and immortal sorceress from the pages of DC comics. David Michelinie and Val Mayerik created the character in 1978 when she appeared in Doorway to Nightmare #1. She frequently consults with other DC characters about supernatural problems and offers her best advice on the situation. Madame X has worked with the Suicide Squad, John Constantine, The Spectre, and Mary Marvel in the past. She's also been the lover of Jason Blood aka Etrigan the Demon. She was previously played by Jeryl Prescott in Swamp Thing season 1.
Even though Madame X is in the early stages of development, DC fans should still be excited to see the character selected as the star of an upcoming HBO Max show. Madame X is a relatively unknown character to mainstream audiences, which should give the HBO Max series plenty of room to adjust parts of her story if necessary. Meanwhile, her connections to the Justice League Dark could allow Abrams and Robinson to include a few characters from other related projects in an effort to build connective tissue early on. Since there is no timetable for Madame X, fans will have to wait for more news on the project to learn more.
Source: THR
