DC FanDome 2020 | Surprise Milestone Panel: 'Static Shock' movie possibly confirmed and in the works
A throwaway mention on a "Suprise" DC FanDome panel may have just confirmed that a 'Static Shock' film is in the works. The beloved Milestone comics character has been noticeably absent from live-action adaptations, despite his cult popularity from his comic book and the short-lived animated series. The panel has not yet confirmed that DC has given the go-ahead to the film, but does suggest that one is in the works.
The Milestone Comics panel had received no press and was placed in a "Surprise Comics" panel slot. The panel featured several Milestone Comics creators and contributors, as well as Phil Lamarr, who voiced Static Shock himself in the hit animated series. The panel also featured Jim Lee.
During the panel, which spoke about the history and origins of Milestone Comics, writer, director and producer Reginald Hudlin talked about the plans that were coming up for Milestone fans and the projects that were in the works with Jim Lee, the Chief Creative Officer at DC. "When we spoke to Jim (Lee) about reviving the Milestone line, we said, 'Look. We all know that this has been hit comics books, and a hit animated series, it's time to expand back into all those areas, and then some,'" Hudlin said. "So, we're having serious conversations about...developing a 'Static Shock' movie - that'll be a theatrical feature film. What we're talking about is unbelievable."
Created by Dwayne McDuffie, Denys Cowan, Michael Davis and Derek T Dingle for Milestone Comics in 1993, 'Static Shock' tells the story of Virgil Hawkins, a young Black teenager who gains the powers of electricity after being exposed to a radioactive chemical. The character received a limited animated series in 2000, which was soon canceled despite fan popularity and critical acclaim, as the network was afraid that 'Static Shock' characters wouldn't sell action figures.
The panel also announced that Static Shock would be returning to comics under the DC Comics, with all new stories for an all new era. The series will be part of DC Comics' 'Digital First' comics, which began as a way to keep comics stories continuing during the pandemic crisis.