She will be the first Black woman to direct a big budget superhero film.
“Silver and Black” AKA “Silver Sable and Black Cat” is the latest production on the comic book-based movie assembly line. Writer and director, Gina Prince-Bythewood (“Shots Fired”, “The Secret Life of Bees” and “Love & Basketball”) has been chosen as the director of the Sony Pictures’ Spider-Man “spin-off” and is the first Black woman to direct a big budget superhero film. As DC Comics’ “Wonder Woman” stands poised to usher in a new age of heroine-led comic book solo films, “Silver and Black” could continue that momentum next year.
Silver Sable and Black Cat are both Marvel characters with ties to Spider-man in the comics. Silver Sable was created by Tom DeFalco and Ron Frenz making her first appearance in “The Amazing Spider-Man” #265 in June 1985. She is a mercenary who sometimes operates within the grey area of morality. Black Cat was created by Marv Wolfman and designed by Dave Cockrum and made her first appearance in “The Amazing Spider-Man” #194 in July 1979. She is a thief who acquired the ability to cause “bad luck” for her enemies. Black Cat’s civilian identity is Felicia Hardy, which made her cinematic debut in the 2014 film “The Amazing Spider-Man 2”, portrayed by actress Felicity Jones.
Although this is a Marvel-based film, it will have no connection to the current Marvel Cinematic Universe films (Avengers, Thor, Iron Man and Guardians of the Galaxy) and will take place within the universe of the Sony Pictures Spider-man films.
Prince-Bythewood received an Oscar nomination for best original song for “Beyond the Lights”. Currently she is working with her husband, Reggie Rock Bythewood, on the Fox limited series “Shots Fired” starring Sanaa Lathan, Stephan James and Aisha Hinds. Prince-Bythewood recently wrapped up directing duties on the pilot for the Marvel TV project on Freeform, “Cloak & Dagger”.
Prince-Bythewood will rewrite the “Black and Silver” script penned by Marvel film “Thor: Ragnarok” writer Chris Yost. Matt Tolmach and Amy Pascal are producing the project. As of now, no cast has been announced for the film.
“Black and Silver” hits theaters on Oct. 5, 2018.
