I didn’t truly know what to expect from Stonefly, even after having played and enjoyed Flight School Studio’s last game, the pinball action title Creature in the Well. The hands-off demo we saw opened on a splash screen filled with foliage, greens, reds, and browns filling the screen, with a small, mech-like device perched on a tree branch. From there, jumping into the action – which sees protagonist Annika on a Ferris Bueller-style hunt to retrieve her dad’s lost mech (which she herself lost) – the colorful, soothing, and charming world of Stonefly unfurled, promising an adventure that looks to be full of heart and unique combat. Much like its developer’s last game, boiling Stonefly down to a buzzword genre or two doesn’t quite do justice to everything going on here, and I’m fascinated by the brief glimpse into this new world. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/26/stonefly-announcement-trailer"]

What Is Stonefly?

Taking on the role of inventor Annika, one of several Borrowers-sized humans in a forest world, players will go on a journey to recover her dad’s lost mech, but in doing so will explore the wider Maple Canopy, gliding from one branch or leaf’s edge to the next, harvesting minerals and learning more about the wider cast and Annika’s place in the world, in an adventure coming to PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X and S, Nintendo Switch, and PC this summer. What that translates to in actual gameplay terms, as evidenced by the extended hands-off demo I saw, is gameplay both in and out of Annika’s mech. While I only glimpsed just a bit of Annika walking around on her own, members of the development team explained how players will have the chance to interact with other members of their camp, walking around, chatting with other characters, and working on Annika’s mech to customize it (more on that in a bit). These on-foot sections definitely don’t appear to be the majority of the game, but players will need to sleep and progress the days of the story forward to keep pushing the narrative onward. The camp sections don’t seem like a huge leap from what Flight School did with Creature in the Well, where players could go to a boarded-up town to take a breather from the main campaign, upgrade, and more. Annika’s camp will do the same, letting you craft an upgrade or learn a new ability, but I always appreciate a story that lets you experience the world at your pace and have a location or setting to ground you as that all progresses. The small teases we get into Annika’s brilliant inventor mind (which extend to the rest of the game, as Annika thinks aloud to herself, represented onscreen though sadly not in voiceover, about new inventions and more as she explores), and the group around her left me immediately curious to know more about their lives. That’s in large part thanks to the story’s setup and how it’s married to the art style, creating an almost Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli-esque setting with plenty of potential while still remaining rooted in something relatable. Because while Annika’s realistic problems surrounding family, her legacy, and more are easy to recognize in our own lives, the rest of Stonefly dives right into the delightfully fantastic. Players will have their own crappy-at-first mech to spruce up, customizing it with new legs, a hull, and its color scheme, that they take out into the world, exploring, collecting minerals, and contending with the many bugs in their way.

Mech in the Wind

Stonefly’s isometric camera gives players a pretty sizeable view of the environment, as at any given time you might be trying to make a tricky hop from one area to the next, fending off - non-lethally - bugs that are greedily trying to take the minerals you need, and generally exploring the world. During my hands-off demo, Flight School explained they would expect players to probably spend about 95% of their time in the mech airborne, as you’re faster and more agile for both combat and exploration. The developers even described the mech’s jump as less of a jump and more of a bounce, giving some sense of weight and heft to the small but sturdy mech in an otherwise large world. Your mech will have a host of different abilities it can use, showcased in the lower right-hand corner, as contending with the many bug enemies will require some strategy. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=stonefly-announcement-screenshots&captions=true"] You’re never killing the bugs you interact with, much like Marvel’s Spider-Man never sees the webhead kill any of the thugs he beats up and webs to buildings. You’re instead trying to knock them away or off of whatever platform you’re on, as the precious minerals you’ll want to collect first are essentially Stonefly’s currency to help you earn upgrades. There are about a dozen bug species, each requiring different strategies to overtake - I witnessed small bugs the player could easily shoo away, while other bugs needed first to be flipped over, as their study exterior prevented the player from knocking them back. But however you’re approaching bugs or environmental challenges, wind will play a significant part of the journey. Stonefly’s levels are a bit more open and less defined to offer players some freedom in exploring the natural environments, but if you ever lose your way, you can call on a series of tracking flies to guide you, similar to the guiding winds in Ghost of Tsushima. You’ll also use wind to reach new locations, and based on the combat I saw, much of your mech’s abilities are tied somewhat to the force and momentum needed to push and knock enemies away. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/09/06/creature-in-the-well-launch-trailer"] There certainly seems to be depth there, too - not just in the different approaches needed for the variety of enemy types, but also for the volume of foes you might be facing at any one time. I witnessed both smaller bouts and swarms of enemies, and it’s clear you’ll have to learn some smart crowd control if you want to make off with as much of each mineral horde as possible. The developers also teased that there will be some higher-risk, difficult missions with limited time to explore as well via a look at the game’s beautiful map, which is something Annika draws and adds to herself as the 10-ish hour journey goes on. And while I’m eager to see how deep the abilities and upgrades allow the combat to go, I came away most impressed by my first look at Stonefly thanks to its startling visuals and imaginative world design. There’s a beautiful use of color inspired by the mid-century modern designer Charley Harper, and sharp geometric shapes create a fascinating blend of 3D worlds with a touch of 2D flair. There’s something simultaneously welcoming and familiar yet strange and mysterious about Stonefly’s world. Taking something everyday like the trees and foliage around us, zooming in on a microscale to give those familiar elements a sense of scale and scope, and setting a human story in this fantastic world left me fascinated by what’s waiting to be discovered. The world seems brimming with possibility, a new delightful surprise hiding behind each leaf in the corners of the screen. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jonathon Dornbush is IGN's Senior News Editor, host of Podcast Beyond!, and PlayStation lead. Talk to him on Twitter @jmdornbush.

Amazon’s upcoming superhero show may be a cartoon, but that doesn’t mean it’s family-friendly. Instead of PG-rated Spider-Man style antics, you should brace yourself for some “savage brutality”. Talking at the Invincible panel as part of IGN Fan Fest, Robert Kirkman - writer of the Invincible comics and executive producer of the show - told us: “It's a very mature show, very much like the comics. It's also essentially an hour-long drama that just happens to be animated, which is very cool.” But, as anyone who’s read Kirkman’s comics will know, it’s not a story for children. “I'm going to let my kids watch, it but I'm not the best parent so I wouldn't recommend for everyone,” he said. Watch the full panel below: [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/26/amazon-prime-videos-invincible-extended-sneak-peek-ign-fan-fest-2021"] Jason Mantzoukas, who voices Rex Sloan on the show, expanded on the more adult nature of the show. “I think the juxtaposition of the classic superhero storytelling with the savage brutality of these action set pieces is going to be incredibly fun to watch,” he said. “This is a story that has really savage brutality, which is pretty rad.” J.K. Simmons, who plays Nolan Grayson, noted that the violence carries impact. “Violence is terrible, right?” he said. “Violence has repercussions. And you don't often see that, and I think that's one of the many things. Good drama rarely works without good comic elements as well, to keep it grounded in some kind of reality that people can relate to. Those two extremes are big parts about what make it work.” [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/26/amazon-prime-videos-invincible-exclusive-clip-ign-fan-fest-2021"] Mantzoukas, who is a fan of the original comics, also discussed how the dark side of the story continues to affect subsequent events. “The things that happen in Invincible stay having happened,” he explained. “A lot of times in long-running comic series, they'll undo events simply so they can keep retelling the same stories. In Invincible, when something bad happens, that bad thing becomes baked into the story and the people have to deal with those repercussions forever. That's compelling to watch or read.” Like with Robert Kirkman’s other popular comic series, The Walking Dead, dramatic turns in the narrative are commonplace in Invincible. “I think the first episode has some twists,” says Zazie Beetz, who plays Amber Bennett. “I think you get into them pretty quick.” [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=how-invincible-became-a-modern-superhero-icon&captions=true"] “We hit the ground running,” says Kirkman. “And I don't think anybody is gonna be sitting around going 'This isn't an interesting show, when is something cool going to happen?' Cool things are almost happening non-stop on this show.” If you’re a fan of the comics and had always hoped for a live-action movie rather than a cartoon TV show, then Kirkman does have some good news. “It's in the works,” he said of a movie adaptation. “It's taking a lot longer than this animated series took, but I wouldn't rule it out for the future, and it's looking pretty good.” For more, take a look at all the news from IGN Fan Fest 2021, the character designs for Invincible, as well as our explainer that dives into the biggest elements of the original comics. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. 

Amazon’s upcoming superhero show may be a cartoon, but that doesn’t mean it’s family-friendly. Instead of PG-rated Spider-Man style antics, you should brace yourself for some “savage brutality”. Talking at the Invincible panel as part of IGN Fan Fest, Robert Kirkman - writer of the Invincible comics and executive producer of the show - told us: “It's a very mature show, very much like the comics. It's also essentially an hour-long drama that just happens to be animated, which is very cool.” But, as anyone who’s read Kirkman’s comics will know, it’s not a story for children. “I'm going to let my kids watch, it but I'm not the best parent so I wouldn't recommend for everyone,” he said. Watch the full panel below: [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/26/amazon-prime-videos-invincible-extended-sneak-peek-ign-fan-fest-2021"] Jason Mantzoukas, who voices Rex Sloan on the show, expanded on the more adult nature of the show. “I think the juxtaposition of the classic superhero storytelling with the savage brutality of these action set pieces is going to be incredibly fun to watch,” he said. “This is a story that has really savage brutality, which is pretty rad.” J.K. Simmons, who plays Nolan Grayson, noted that the violence carries impact. “Violence is terrible, right?” he said. “Violence has repercussions. And you don't often see that, and I think that's one of the many things. Good drama rarely works without good comic elements as well, to keep it grounded in some kind of reality that people can relate to. Those two extremes are big parts about what make it work.” [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/26/amazon-prime-videos-invincible-exclusive-clip-ign-fan-fest-2021"] Mantzoukas, who is a fan of the original comics, also discussed how the dark side of the story continues to affect subsequent events. “The things that happen in Invincible stay having happened,” he explained. “A lot of times in long-running comic series, they'll undo events simply so they can keep retelling the same stories. In Invincible, when something bad happens, that bad thing becomes baked into the story and the people have to deal with those repercussions forever. That's compelling to watch or read.” Like with Robert Kirkman’s other popular comic series, The Walking Dead, dramatic turns in the narrative are commonplace in Invincible. “I think the first episode has some twists,” says Zazie Beetz, who plays Amber Bennett. “I think you get into them pretty quick.” [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=how-invincible-became-a-modern-superhero-icon&captions=true"] “We hit the ground running,” says Kirkman. “And I don't think anybody is gonna be sitting around going 'This isn't an interesting show, when is something cool going to happen?' Cool things are almost happening non-stop on this show.” If you’re a fan of the comics and had always hoped for a live-action movie rather than a cartoon TV show, then Kirkman does have some good news. “It's in the works,” he said of a movie adaptation. “It's taking a lot longer than this animated series took, but I wouldn't rule it out for the future, and it's looking pretty good.” For more, take a look at all the news from IGN Fan Fest 2021, the character designs for Invincible, as well as our explainer that dives into the biggest elements of the original comics. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. 

Hood: Legends and Outlaws has shown off its Ranger class – its take on Robin Hood – exclusively with IGN. In a gameplay overview during IGN Fan Fest 2021, game director Andrew Willans introduced the Ranger, who specialises in fighting at distance, and in stealth. Aside from offering huge-damage headshots, the Ranger's bow can dislodge climbing ropes for party members, they come with a flash bomb item, and the class is the only one who can tag enemies for the rest of the team. The Ranger's Ultimate is Farsight, a sticky, explosive incendiary arrow – but they can only evade melee attacks, rather than block them. Check out the video below: [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/26/hood-outlaws-and-legends-ranger-exclusive-trailer-ign-fan-fest-2021"] Hood: Outlaws and Legends is set to be released for PS5, Xbox Series X and Series S, PS4, Xbox One, and PC on May 10. We recently spoke to Willans about exactly how the game will work across a full round, and came away thinking it sounded like a co-op Ocean's Eleven Merry Men simulator. There's much more to come from IGN Fan Fest - make sure to check out our full Fan Fest schedule for everything we've got for you, from Zack Snyder's Justice League to Deathloop. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

Hood: Legends and Outlaws has shown off its Ranger class – its take on Robin Hood – exclusively with IGN. In a gameplay overview during IGN Fan Fest 2021, game director Andrew Willans introduced the Ranger, who specialises in fighting at distance, and in stealth. Aside from offering huge-damage headshots, the Ranger's bow can dislodge climbing ropes for party members, they come with a flash bomb item, and the class is the only one who can tag enemies for the rest of the team. The Ranger's Ultimate is Farsight, a sticky, explosive incendiary arrow – but they can only evade melee attacks, rather than block them. Check out the video below: [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/26/hood-outlaws-and-legends-ranger-exclusive-trailer-ign-fan-fest-2021"] Hood: Outlaws and Legends is set to be released for PS5, Xbox Series X and Series S, PS4, Xbox One, and PC on May 10. We recently spoke to Willans about exactly how the game will work across a full round, and came away thinking it sounded like a co-op Ocean's Eleven Merry Men simulator. There's much more to come from IGN Fan Fest - make sure to check out our full Fan Fest schedule for everything we've got for you, from Zack Snyder's Justice League to Deathloop. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

During the IGN Fan Fest Deathloop panel, developer Arkane revealed multiple interesting new details about the mechanics that drive its upcoming time loop assassination game. Among those fresh facts is the news that it will feature returning powers from the Dishonored series, as well as bone charm-style modifications for both weapons and your character. Deathloop's Game Director, Dinga Bakaba, explained that some powers players will have used in Dishonored will appear in Deathloop. “As much as we wanted to do something very original with this game, we also wanted some familiarity,” he explained. “We decided to bring back quite a few of the powers that we have in the Dishonored series,” he continued. “I think it’s something that will make players feel right at home. And then there are a few twists and modifications. I think that’s a good view of the main player tools.” Watch the exclusive new trailer below: [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/26/deathloop-explained-exclusive-game-trailer-ign-fan-fest-2021"] Bakaba stopped short of revealing exactly what those powers are, but we can already see in the gameplay trailer that protagonist Colt is able to use a teleport ability similar to Dishonored’s Blink. Hopefully there will be some fun twists on other Dishonored skills; something like Emily’s Domino ability would certainly come in handy. Also akin to Dishonored, you’ll find items around the world that can modify both your weapons and your own physical self. “Trinkets are small pieces of metal imbued with the power of the anomaly that is causing the time loop,” Bakaba explained. “By equipping those trinkets, you can change the properties of your weapons. On top of that, you can also use some Trinkets to actually mod yourself, so being able to jump higher, run faster, regenerate some health when you assassinate someone, things like that.” Trinkets provide passive upgrades, then, much like Dishonored’s bone charms. But if you need a more significant upgrade, then you’ll need to hunt down a Slab. “Slabs allow the user to do various things,” Bakaba said. “So for instance, Alexis, one of the targets, has a Slab called Kinesis that allows him to throw people around, forward, backward, upward, sideways, et cetera. So he will actually use that to throw his own allies at you. I’ve even seen him throw Juliana at me once. And of course, you can get that power out of him and use it.” Since Slabs provide very powerful abilities, they are among the world’s rarest items. “There’s not even one Slab per Visionary,” said Bakaba, referring to the eight main targets of Deathloop. “Most of the Visionaries have their own Slabs, and the only way to get those Slabs is to defeat one of those Visionaries and take it with you.” Check out the full IGN Fan Fest panel below: [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/26/an-inside-look-at-bethesdas-deathloop-ign-fan-fest-2021"] These powers will help you solve Deathloop’s overarching puzzle: how to kill all eight of the Visionaries in one day. Doing so will break the time loop. However, your targets are located around different parts of the island, with two in each of its four districts. You can approach each target individually, but you will run out of time and the loop will reset. The secret is finding out how to bring targets together, at different times of the day, so that multiple Visionaries can be taken out in one assault. Importantly, there is only one way to kill all the targets in time. “In order to line them up there is only one solution, so really the game is a gigantic puzzle that you have to solve and in order to complete that puzzle,” said Bakaba. “There is one way to break the time loop.” While there is a golden solution to ensuring all the targets are in place, the way you kill those targets is entirely up to you. “There are some ways that we open for you, like opportunities in the sense of maybe using the environment, or learning about some dangerous things that are in their levels, or making [the target] weaker in different ways,” Bakaba said. “So there are some things that we kind of prepare for you, but overall, yes, you can get at the target in the way you want.” This is, of course, similar to Dishonored, which offers some suggested methods of execution, but ultimately leaves the approach in your hands. The time it takes to solve that puzzle varies on how long it takes you to discover the individual parts of its solution, as well as how much exploration and experimentation you want to do, but Bakaba suggested a “focussed” playthrough, sticking to the main path of the game, will be “comparable to our former games” in length. For more Deathloop, check out our interview with Arkane about its PS5 features and time loop gameplay, and what comes in each edition of the game. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. 

During the IGN Fan Fest Deathloop panel, developer Arkane revealed multiple interesting new details about the mechanics that drive its upcoming time loop assassination game. Among those fresh facts is the news that it will feature returning powers from the Dishonored series, as well as bone charm-style modifications for both weapons and your character. Deathloop's Game Director, Dinga Bakaba, explained that some powers players will have used in Dishonored will appear in Deathloop. “As much as we wanted to do something very original with this game, we also wanted some familiarity,” he explained. “We decided to bring back quite a few of the powers that we have in the Dishonored series,” he continued. “I think it’s something that will make players feel right at home. And then there are a few twists and modifications. I think that’s a good view of the main player tools.” Watch the exclusive new trailer below: [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/26/deathloop-explained-exclusive-game-trailer-ign-fan-fest-2021"] Bakaba stopped short of revealing exactly what those powers are, but we can already see in the gameplay trailer that protagonist Colt is able to use a teleport ability similar to Dishonored’s Blink. Hopefully there will be some fun twists on other Dishonored skills; something like Emily’s Domino ability would certainly come in handy. Also akin to Dishonored, you’ll find items around the world that can modify both your weapons and your own physical self. “Trinkets are small pieces of metal imbued with the power of the anomaly that is causing the time loop,” Bakaba explained. “By equipping those trinkets, you can change the properties of your weapons. On top of that, you can also use some Trinkets to actually mod yourself, so being able to jump higher, run faster, regenerate some health when you assassinate someone, things like that.” Trinkets provide passive upgrades, then, much like Dishonored’s bone charms. But if you need a more significant upgrade, then you’ll need to hunt down a Slab. “Slabs allow the user to do various things,” Bakaba said. “So for instance, Alexis, one of the targets, has a Slab called Kinesis that allows him to throw people around, forward, backward, upward, sideways, et cetera. So he will actually use that to throw his own allies at you. I’ve even seen him throw Juliana at me once. And of course, you can get that power out of him and use it.” Since Slabs provide very powerful abilities, they are among the world’s rarest items. “There’s not even one Slab per Visionary,” said Bakaba, referring to the eight main targets of Deathloop. “Most of the Visionaries have their own Slabs, and the only way to get those Slabs is to defeat one of those Visionaries and take it with you.” Check out the full IGN Fan Fest panel below: [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/26/an-inside-look-at-bethesdas-deathloop-ign-fan-fest-2021"] These powers will help you solve Deathloop’s overarching puzzle: how to kill all eight of the Visionaries in one day. Doing so will break the time loop. However, your targets are located around different parts of the island, with two in each of its four districts. You can approach each target individually, but you will run out of time and the loop will reset. The secret is finding out how to bring targets together, at different times of the day, so that multiple Visionaries can be taken out in one assault. Importantly, there is only one way to kill all the targets in time. “In order to line them up there is only one solution, so really the game is a gigantic puzzle that you have to solve and in order to complete that puzzle,” said Bakaba. “There is one way to break the time loop.” While there is a golden solution to ensuring all the targets are in place, the way you kill those targets is entirely up to you. “There are some ways that we open for you, like opportunities in the sense of maybe using the environment, or learning about some dangerous things that are in their levels, or making [the target] weaker in different ways,” Bakaba said. “So there are some things that we kind of prepare for you, but overall, yes, you can get at the target in the way you want.” This is, of course, similar to Dishonored, which offers some suggested methods of execution, but ultimately leaves the approach in your hands. The time it takes to solve that puzzle varies on how long it takes you to discover the individual parts of its solution, as well as how much exploration and experimentation you want to do, but Bakaba suggested a “focussed” playthrough, sticking to the main path of the game, will be “comparable to our former games” in length. For more Deathloop, check out our interview with Arkane about its PS5 features and time loop gameplay, and what comes in each edition of the game. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. 

Warner Bros. is gearing up to reboot the Superman franchise on the big screen. As first reported by Shadow and Act and confirmed by Deadline, the studio is pursuing a new take on the Man of Steel, one produced through JJ Abrams' Bad Robot and written by Ta-Nehisi Coates. Bad Robot's Hannah Minghella is producing the reboot. No actors are currently attached to the movie, and it's unclear if Henry Cavill will remain in the lead role or if the cape and tights will pass to a new actor. Variety also confirms the news, along with a statement from Coates, and indicates no casting has yet taken place. However, Coates also seems to suggest the reboot is still set in the DCEU. “To be invited into the DC Extended Universe by Warner Bros., DC Films and Bad Robot is an honor,” Coates said. “I look forward to meaningfully adding to the legacy of America’s most iconic mythic hero.” [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2017/04/07/see-henry-cavill-wearing-christopher-reeves-superman-costume"] This is the latest DC project to which Abrams has become attached since Bad Robot signed a lucrative overall deal with WarnerMedia. Abrams is also overseeing a Justice League Dark series on HBO Max, and that series is connected to the recently revealed Constantine reboot. Coates, meanwhile, is a celebrated writer and journalist who penned the book Between the World and Me and currently writes Marvel's monthly Black Panther and Captain America comics. Coates is also writing Wrong Answer, an upcoming film that reunites Black Panther director Ryan Coogler and star Michael. B. Jordan. Given that Jordan himself has pitched Warners on a Superman reboot, it's not impossible fans may see him become the new Man of Steel. Update: The Hollywood Reporter's sources are specifically billing the reboot as "a Black Superman story." THR notes the studio was reluctant to pursue that angle when originally pitched by Jordan in 2019, but executives seem to have come around in recent months. THR's sources also clarify that while this project isn't connected to Jordan's pitch, that doesn't necessarily rule out the possibility of Jordan becoming attached to star. As Superman fans may remember, Abrams himself was once attached to direct a Superman reboot in the early 2000's. Abrams' Superman: Flyby would have been the start of a new trilogy featuring a very different take on Superman and Krypton. Unfortunately, it's one of many DC movies that never came to pass. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=dc-extended-universe-every-upcoming-movie&captions=true"] The timing of this news is certainly odd, given that WarnerMedia is weeks away from debuting Zack Snyder's Justice League on HBO Max and The CW just launched their newest Arrowverse series, Superman & Lois. However, the company has increasingly begun to emphasize the idea of a live-action DC multiverse in recent years, so we may well see this new Superman coexist with Cavill and Tyler Hoechlin's respective versions. Does this news have you excited at the prospect of a new Superman movie? Let us know in the comments below. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.

Warner Bros. is gearing up to reboot the Superman franchise on the big screen. As first reported by Shadow and Act and confirmed by Deadline, the studio is pursuing a new take on the Man of Steel, one produced through JJ Abrams' Bad Robot and written by Ta-Nehisi Coates. Bad Robot's Hannah Minghella is producing the reboot. No actors are currently attached to the movie, and it's unclear if Henry Cavill will remain in the lead role or if the cape and tights will pass to a new actor. Variety also confirms the news, along with a statement from Coates, and indicates no casting has yet taken place. However, Coates also seems to suggest the reboot is still set in the DCEU. “To be invited into the DC Extended Universe by Warner Bros., DC Films and Bad Robot is an honor,” Coates said. “I look forward to meaningfully adding to the legacy of America’s most iconic mythic hero.” [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2017/04/07/see-henry-cavill-wearing-christopher-reeves-superman-costume"] This is the latest DC project to which Abrams has become attached since Bad Robot signed a lucrative overall deal with WarnerMedia. Abrams is also overseeing a Justice League Dark series on HBO Max, and that series is connected to the recently revealed Constantine reboot. Coates, meanwhile, is a celebrated writer and journalist who penned the book Between the World and Me and currently writes Marvel's monthly Black Panther and Captain America comics. Coates is also writing Wrong Answer, an upcoming film that reunites Black Panther director Ryan Coogler and star Michael. B. Jordan. Given that Jordan himself has pitched Warners on a Superman reboot, it's not impossible fans may see him become the new Man of Steel. As Superman fans may remember, Abrams himself was once attached to direct a Superman reboot in the early 2000's. Abrams' Superman: Flyby would have been the start of a new trilogy featuring a very different take on Superman and Krypton. Unfortunately, it's one of many DC movies that never came to pass. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=dc-extended-universe-every-upcoming-movie&captions=true"] The timing of this news is certainly odd, given that WarnerMedia is weeks away from debuting Zack Snyder's Justice League on HBO Max and The CW just launched their newest Arrowverse series, Superman & Lois. However, the company has increasingly begun to emphasize the idea of a live-action DC multiverse in recent years, so we may well see this new Superman coexist with Cavill and Tyler Hoechlin's respective versions. Does this news have you excited at the prospect of a new Superman movie? Let us know in the comments below. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.

A new report speaking with 11 sources further supports allegations of abuse against Buffy creator and Avengers director Joss Whedon.