Warner Bros. has hired Steven Spielberg to produce and possibly direct the DC Comics movie Blackhawk. The studio has more than two dozen DC-related projects in development, many of which are part of their ongoing DC Extended Universe (DCEU), but some that are remaining separate, such as the upcoming Joker origin story. It appears that this film will most likely fall in line with the latter movie and release apart from the burgeoning DCEU, but that hasn't been confirmed yet.

Spielberg is no stranger to blockbuster movies, but he's been stepping outside his comfort zone recently with films such as The BFG and, most recently, Ready Player One. Both projects were notably different compared to past blockbusters, the latter of which was another Warner Bros. production that has been breaking records for the studio at the international box office. And now, it seems that Warner Bros. wants to continue to develop their partnership with Spielberg by having him produce a DC Comics movie for them, which isn't as far-fetched as it sounds.

Warner Bros. Pictures announces that Steven Spielberg will produce DC's Blackhawk movie via Amblin Entertainment with the potential to direct. Spielberg's longtime collaborator David Koepp (Jurassic Park, War of the Worlds) will write the script, which is based on DC Comics' Blackhawk character created by Will Eisner, Bob Powell, and Chuck Cuidera for Quality Comics in 1941. In a statement, Spielberg said:

“It was wonderful working with the team at Warner Bros. to bring Ready Player One to the screen.  They bring a blend of passion and professionalism to everything they do and have a tremendous history in this genre.  I am excited to reunite with them on Blackhawk.

DC's Blackhawk comics (and the upcoming movie) follows a character named Blackhawk - the leader of a squadron of WWII-era pilots known as the Blackhawks - as they battle the Nazis, Axis powers, and various other "fantastic super-villains and war machines," such as shark planes. While Spielberg helming a DC Comics movie may sound strange, it's easier to believe when that film is actually a WWII-centered movie about an ace squadron with virtually no major ties to the overarching DCEU, at least that has been revealed at this time. Then again, there are ways in which the film could tie into WB's DC universe.

Given that Spielberg has previously said that he will film Indiana Jones 5 next with Harrison Ford - which is due out in theaters in July 2020 - and then follow up that project with West Side Story, it seems DC's Blackhawk movie may not happen for a long time. Sure, Spielberg is known for having multiple projects in the works, some of which never see the light of day, but announcing the film now means that Warner Bros. is definitely interested in seeing this movie made; it just might not happen for a few years.

More: All 26 Upcoming & In-Development DC Films

Source: Warner Bros./DC Comics