The Good Place star William Jackson Harper has responded to a now-viral Superman fan casting. Reports that Warner Bros. is developing a new incarnation of the Man of Steel first began in February. While Henry Cavill currently dons the red cape in the DCEU, it was stated that WB hopes to start a new franchise led by a Black actor. J.J. Abrams is already on board as a producer, while acclaimed author, journalist, and comics writer Ta-Nehisi Coates has signed on to pen the script.
No director or lead has yet been announced for the reboot, but that hasn't stopped passionate fans from weighing in. The Twitterverse immediately lit up with dream casting picks for a Black Superman. While Michael B. Jordan was the clear frontrunner at first, the Black Panther star has said that while he is flattered, he hasn't been in touch with anyone about the role. A fan then took to Twitter to name Harper, most well-known as the morally plagued Chidi Anagonye in NBC's The Good Place, as the perfect choice. The tweet swiftly went viral, minting the casting choice as a popular one.
Harper addressed the possibility of playing Superman during his interview with Jimmy Kimmel Live on June 1. When the beloved host brought up the trending prospect, the actor shared how surprised he was by the whole ordeal. Harper told Kimmel:
"It definitely blindsided me. I was doing another interview and this guy was like, 'Yeah, this got 55,000 likes,' and I was like, 'It got what? Why? Who knows me?' Yeah, I mean, but that would be dope. That would be the best thing that could happen to me, to be able to play Superman. I don't want to do the diet and the exercise..."
Overall, the Underground Railroad star seemed delighted by the idea of becoming Superman, though he couldn't pinpoint why he'd been chosen. Kimmel theorized that viewers put two and two together because Harper wore glasses on The Good Place. The host referenced the fact that Clark Kent wore glasses and then took them off to become The Man of Tomorrow. "That's gotta be the only explanation," Harper replied, "because otherwise I'm just a nerdy professor dude - I don't know."
Harper isn't the only talent that fans are stanning for the latest Superman billing. Oscar-winner Regina King's name has been shortlisted to direct the blockbuster. The news was broken to the Watchmen star on live TV and she seemed tickled, to say the least. Her name is reportedly in the mix with directors like Steven Caple Jr. (Creed II), J.D. Dillard (Sleight), and Shaka King (Judas and the Black Messiah).
Though fans of Cavill might not yet be ready to see a new Superman, this reboot is set to stand on its own. Plus, the first Black Clark Kent/Superman on the big screen will be a milestone moment for the entire superhero universe and Hollywood. Harper is an all-around excellent choice, equipped with an actor's toolkit that could bring levity to the role. From his dramatic turns on stage and screen to his widely-loved portrayal of Chidi, Harper has proven that he can do it all. Plus, he's clearly a popular choice with fans. All that's left is to teach him how to fly.
Source: Jimmy Kimmel Live