Tom King reportedly co-writing New Gods script with Ava DuVernay UPDATED

UPDATE: Literally (and we do mean it in this case) as we hit publish on this story, DuVernay confirmed the news via Twitter.

https://twitter.com/ava/status/1133872711200063488

Original story follows below.

Tom King is reportedly on his way to work with Ava DuVernay on the script for her New Gods movie.

According to a source speaking with The Wrap, King has been tapped to work on the New Gods script with DuVernay. This makes a lot of sense as his recent run on the Mister Miracle series garnered him multiple Eisner awards.

King most recently worked on Batman for DC, but recently announced he would be leaving that title with issue #85. He will move on from that title to Batman/Catwoman to be published in 2020.

The New Gods movie has been in development for some time now, but does not yet have a firm release date. Brining in an award-wining writer that has worked with these characters can never be a bad idea. DuVernay has expressed her love for the New Gods, and especially for Big Barda, on multiple occasions, so these two should make a good team.

We'll be keeping our eyes out for a more official announcement in the coming weeks.

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SOURCE: The Wrap

72 comments

Seb is a Socialist

May 29, 2019

heard zoli complain a lot about tom king so this doesnt leave me with high hopes lolz

Hunter Zolomon
May 29, 2019
His Mister Miracle story was fantastic, i love it and think its up there with the best but its a terrible take on the New Gods. Every character is out of character and its a really poor job on everything New Gods. I love it because of the themes, its mundane feel to Scott and Barda's life and how trippy the art is and taking as its own thing its magical but as i said its a really bad job on the New Gods and its best chucking away your knowledge on these characters when reading it. King writing this film feels me with dread especially as his dialogue is awful.
1. Frank Pepito
  May 30, 2019
  I haven't talked to anyone who's read his MM, so I appreciate your insight. I have DC Universe, so I'm hoping it gets added to the library soon.
2. Kira K
  May 31, 2019
  I can’t understand why you loved it, but I agree they were all out of character.

lowdevil

May 29, 2019

There is something about comic book writers going over to film. I mostly does not work. Ask Mike Mignola if he thought his script was kick ass.
This film already has a negative against it with DuVernay directing (one of most over-rated directors out there) and now this.

Basically, things are not looking good , but ive been wrong many times before..

mabruno
May 29, 2019
WB can’t afford to get New Gods wrong as it is an essential movie in the buildup to the shared DCEU.
1. ZaQueerdo
  May 29, 2019
  >an essential movie in the buildup to the shared DCEU.
  I don't think you have to worry about that.
2. J.K.2019
  May 30, 2019
  DCEU is dead.This movie will be it's own thing.
BatmanUglyCowl
May 30, 2019
Aren't death of superman, reign, and batman vs tmnt written by actual CB writer?
1. Mr. Warshaw
  June 6, 2019
  Death was written by Pete Tomasi—not sure about the others.

ZaQueerdo

May 29, 2019

Great news. His run on Mister Miracle was the stuff of legends.

The Gaming Maniac

May 29, 2019

So even though i love DC to death, i've never been all that familiar with the "New" and "Old" Gods. I know it involves Darkseid and his family and has to do with their respective planets of Apokolips and New Genesis, but other than that I have no idea what their stories are about or what a potential movie could possibly be about. Anyone care to brush me up abit?

Sassybat
May 29, 2019
In a really condensed version, apokolips (bad guys) and new genesis (good guys), both of which are inhabited by god-like beings, are at war and it’s a brutal one but it ends with a peace treaty that involves trading first born sons from the respective leader of each planet. Obviously there are a billion other stories within each planet that is expanded in the comics buts that oversimplification of the conflict.
New genesis can be compared to Asgard for reference
1. Bob Burger
  May 30, 2019
  Film ending plot twist: Darkseid is really the good guy, helping the poor socioeconomic class of his people fight off the high and wealthy economic class, New Genesis, that want his planets resources.
  Moral of the story don't judge a book by its cover = $$$$$
Seb
May 29, 2019
Go read Crisis on infinite Earths and Final Crisis if you really want a good idea of the New Gods.
What makes Darkseid "special" and truly godlike (more so than Superman) is that he is effectively a higher dimensional being. When you look at the DC Multiverse, you'll see that there's only ONE Apokalips, and only ONE Darkseid (kinda), whereas there are effectively infinite Supermans. This is revealed in Final Crisis and this also explains why sometimes Superman can beat Darkseid with no problem, but sometimes he's ridiculously outmatched. What we "see" as Darkseid in comics is basically his 3 dimensional projection. They're not "really" Darkseid himself, or at least not in his true form. This is what makes the New Gods special and worthy of the title of "god"... they live "beyond" the multiverse and our own dimension.
And as for their own affairs, Sassybat explained it quite well. There are basically 2 worlds: Apokalips (this is where Darkseid rules, basically hell) and New Genesis . They're basically two sides of the same coin and equal in power, but Darkseid always seeks to dominate New Genesis. But Darkseid alone isn't strong enough so he needs the anti-life equation, which would basically give him the power to rule over all life. And Darkseid knows parts of the anti-life equation can be found on Earth, so that's why he constantly goes up against the League.
Darkseid is also "racing against time" so to speak, because as Sassybat said, they exchanged sons, and Darkseid biological son (Orion), who was raised on New Genesis and became "good", is destined to kill Darkseid.
This is all very complex and there are hundreds of stories, but that's basically the New Gods in a nutshell.
1. Hunter Zolomon
  May 29, 2019
  I wouldn't recommend Final Crisis to a beginner, its a masterpiece but you need extensive knowledge of everything DC and even then you're only halfway to understanding it all haha.
  1. Seb
    May 30, 2019
    Lmao very true
  2. Mt150
    May 30, 2019
    I wouldn't recommend any Crisis event as they usually require large knowledge of the universe to understand them. Final Crisis is a masterpiece I wonder if DCEU would ever b e able to somewhat adapt that story. I know it's very complex but I always wonder ho far can these cinematic universes go.
    1. Seb
      May 30, 2019
      It could be possible with a ten year buildup and a streamlined version of the story.

wrestlilng70

May 29, 2019

After that atrocity that was Heroes in Crisis
https://uploads.disquscdn.c...

ItzSilentStorm
May 29, 2019
his Mr Miracle was really good I hear.
1. Hunter Zolomon
  May 29, 2019
  It is i'm a big fan but its a bad take on anything New Gods.
  1. ItzSilentStorm
    May 29, 2019
    not sure i understand
    1. Hunter Zolomon
      May 29, 2019
      Basically its a incredible story with some great themes and gets you thinking, it also has a brilliant mundane feel to Scott and Barda's life and the art is trippy as hell. That said none of the characters actually feel like the characters they are meant to be, when reading Scott you don't think damn King has nailed his character or Orion whose nothing like Orion, as its own thing its a masterpiece but as a New God story its a bad take on them.
      Think of it like this Kubrick's The Shining is a horror masterpiece and one of the best films ever made but its a pretty bad adaption of the book (hence why King hates the film). I know its slightly different but i hope you get what i mean.
    2. Kaingerc
      May 29, 2019
      You know, I don't really see how a faithful adaptation of the New Gods (I mean Kirby's version of them) might work in live action (maybe I lack the imagination)
      The main problem is that there no grounding to the story or most of the characters in it, so I wouldn't be surprised if they somehow frame the story from Shilo Norman's perspective or something.
2. Kira K
  May 31, 2019
  Mister Miracle is an wanna be deep story with awful dialogue, that does a bad job portraying these characters. All of them were out of character& badly portrayed. People must have never read a New Gods comic. Just awful.
  1. ItzSilentStorm
    May 31, 2019
    well, there is always going to be some people who think something that is deep isn't actually that deep.

NinjaGamer13

May 29, 2019

Oh, wow, so this is actually happening? That’s nice. Sometimes it just feels like no movies are actually genuinely getting made in the DCEU.

NinjaGamer13
May 30, 2019
I just want the DCEU to survive

MISTER MANIAC

May 29, 2019

Here's the thing guys....this film won't be made, just watch

Flower & Monster & Golden Calf

May 29, 2019

I had a feeling her script wasn't exciting anybody over at WB. Bringing in King might help before her contract runs out.

Adam
May 30, 2019
What if he just deletes every second word from the script? ;)

BatmanNewsChris

May 29, 2019

He tried to tell us lol https://twitter.com/tomking...

Bob Burger
May 30, 2019
He's talking about his pet rabbit he bought off the blackmarket.

GuardianOfGotham

May 29, 2019

So help me... if he makes Mister Miracle suicidal in this movie...

KnightReign

May 29, 2019

Can you help Matt Reeves with his script too while you're at it Tom

Hunter Zolomon
May 29, 2019
Um no get King away from Batman at all costs, his Batman run is just the worst.
1. KnightReign
  May 29, 2019
  No shit
2. Bruce Vader
  May 30, 2019
  I think that was https://uploads.disquscdn.c...

Seb

May 29, 2019

As long as DuVernay is attached, I have zero interest in this film and the film is doomed.

Seb
May 30, 2019
How so?

Kerk Lastnameless

May 29, 2019

Oh Christ...

Hunter Zolomon

May 29, 2019

This isn't a good thing at all. Mister Miracle is one of the best comics i've read in years and i adore it but its a really bad portrayal of the New Gods, in fact its a god awful take on them. The story works because of the themes and taking as its own thing its a masterpiece but King like with everything he writes doesn't understand the characters at all and writes the characters around his story.

God the dialogue is going to be awful and embarrassing as hell if he does that as all he does is have characters repeat themselves like morons on have characters respond in one word answers or basic sentences what no one in real life would speak like. Thank god Batman and Bane aren't in this as hearing Bats only lines be "i'm going to break your back" will get pain inducing haha

Dumberto Gonzalez
May 29, 2019
https://media1.giphy.com/me...
1. Hunter Zolomon
  May 29, 2019
  Let me guess you either don't read comics and have no idea on how bad King's recent output is or are fairly new to comics and read his stuff and love it purely because you haven't read much to compare to and your knowledge of the characters are fairly limited?
  Its an outright fact King is terrible at writing the New Gods so my comments still stands.
  1. Dumberto Gonzalez
    May 30, 2019
    Not only are your comic takes terrible but so is your guessing ability.
    1. Hunter Zolomon
      May 30, 2019
      Comic takes terrible? Explain please.
Bruce Vader
May 30, 2019
Yeah, but does it matter if it's a good or bad portrayal if it's a good movie? Seeing how his Mister Miracle series gets all the praise it doesn't seem to.
1. Mt150
  May 30, 2019
  In the grand scheme of things it will matter. It's like saying you write a good elseworld's Batman movie and now you're going to write a Justice League movie. Tom King has been on the bad side of criticism because of his insistence of changing character to fit his themes. Maybe you're right general audiences wouldn't know the diference.
OptimistPrime99
May 30, 2019
Depressed Batman v Naked Bane: Dawn of the Sexually Frustrated 😂🤣https://uploads.disquscdn.c...
1. BatmanUglyCowl
  May 30, 2019
  "BANE, I AM GONNA BREAK YOUR DAMN BACK!"

adqm1409

May 29, 2019

Really liked his Mister Miracle but i don't know if it's the best take for the new goods, his take is too surrealist, Grant Morrison for me is the best one to help with the script since he truly seems to get the New Gods, that being said i don't have much faith in Duverney but i guess will have to give her the benefit of the doubt,

Kaingerc
May 29, 2019
Heh, so you want a LESS surrealist take and you went with Morrison of all people?!

Kaingerc

May 29, 2019

You know, in terms of what might actually work in live action with the New Gods, King might not be such a bad choice. (Regardless of what a shitshow 'Heroes in Crisis' has been)

drisraelluna

May 29, 2019

Hmmmm... not exited about this. I’m not really familiar with his work, but I did not like his Batman run. At all.

drisraelluna

May 29, 2019

Also... really??? New gods??? I really hope this is more of an “introducing Darkseid” thing, because otherwise I cannot believe we’re getting this kind of stuff and still no MoS2 or GL o flash! Wtf?!?

NinjaGamer13
May 30, 2019
THIS^
Qthetar .
May 30, 2019
New Gods is a great comic series. You have to thank Snyder for not getting a Superman sequel. And thank Ezra for not having a flash movie, and WB for not having GL.

notyou_notme

May 30, 2019

So now I can hope an updates for nightwing and the flash movie right?

NinjaGamer13
May 30, 2019
Please
1. J.K.2019
  May 30, 2019
  Only way i see Flash movie happening is without Ezra Miller.
  1. NinjaGamer13
    May 30, 2019
    Why? The GA and WB loved him in JL. Or are you talking about what you would personally prefer?
    1. StarTheory
      May 30, 2019
      There was a rumour a while ago that Miller’s contract would be expiring soon and that if he didn’t strike a deal with Warner then he would be out. I watched the movie again recently and I say good riddance. It gets worse and worse every time I watch it.
    2. NinjaGamer13
      May 30, 2019
      He’s not my favorite pick for Barry Allen (though I did like the energy and personality he brought to the role, for sure), but if I just don’t see WB letting that happen when they were smitten with him before, and he seemed to be widely loved by the GA.
    3. J.K.2019
      May 30, 2019
      Remember the news of him having difference with the studio about the tone of the movie?....His contract to play Flash at that time was suppose to expire in like two months at that time.I believe, He is out.
      As for my opinion, He just doesn't have that look.Nor does he have the presence to carry a 250+ million movie with marketing budget.
    4. NinjaGamer13
      May 30, 2019
      Yeah, I just don’t know if I can believe those rumors, though. I guess we’ll find out.
      Yeah, he definitely does not look right for the character, unfortunately, I agree.
Bob Burger
May 30, 2019
Forgot about that Nightwing film. They must be trying to find the right actor who has the perfect ass to then begin production.

jack danielson

May 30, 2019

Would love to see a new god movie. I really dont think itll happen though. Would be fucking sweet though. Though, i would really prefer Kirby's vision over King's, i still dont think the general audience is going to give a shit. That said, a proper series that has time to explore the full concept of the new gods, rather than a limited feature length film that will inevitably ignore a lot of the mythos in order to meet a specific time frame, would be a better route imo.

SBHM

May 30, 2019

It's still crazy to me that we're getting a New Gods movie, a Joker solo film, we got Shazam already, a Birds of Prey film, etc, but we have no news on a Flash movie, no updates on a GL movie, The Batman seems like it's not making a headway, no MoS 2. Weird world we live in. At least there is WW1984. I'll take more Gal Gadot please.

OptimistPrime99

May 30, 2019

https://uploads.disquscdn.c...

Kira K

May 31, 2019

Why does DC hire a writer, who neither respects these characters nor knows anything about them? I’ve read all New Gods stories& I can’t understand how people actually can like Mister Miracle by King. The way he portrayed Darkseid was awful.

Nahuel Benvenuto

May 31, 2019

Mark my words: This is gonna be a cringe worthy comedy in the style of Ragnarok/Guardians, given that DC nowadays just copies the mcu. I hope i am wrong though.

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Tom King reportedly co-writing New Gods script with Ava DuVernay UPDATED

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