Ava DuVernay’s New Gods finds a writer in Chasing Mavericks’ Kario Salem. Warner Bros. isn’t slowing down when it comes to creating new movies based on DC Comics. Not only are the looking to expand their cinematic universe with Aquaman later this year, but they’ve got multiple DC films set to enter production this year. One of those may also be Todd Phillips’ Joker, the first outing from an “Elseworlds” banner.

The list of upcoming DC movies expanded last week when it was revealed that Selma and A Wrinkle In Time director Ava DuVernay is set to direct New Gods. Originally, DuVernay was not paired up with a writer, but the hunt to find one was said to be on.

It now looks like they have found a writing partner for DuVernay. Deadline - which initially broke the DuVernay/New Gods story - has updated their original report to reveal that Chasing Mavericks screenwriter Kario Salem is set to write the film. Salem’s other credits include The Score, starring Robert De Niro, Edward Norton, and Marlon Brando, as well as some work on TV.

Now that the Salem is formally onboard, the project should be able to continue through development without any problems. DuVernay has already indicated she’s starting to do more research, and teased an epic story in the process. Where exactly she and Salem pull inspiration from remains to be seen, but she’s clearly looking to keep the core of what Jack Kirby originally imagined intact. Considering she’s also called Big Barda her favorite comic book character, she could wind up taking an even more prominent role alongside Darkseid, Highfather, Orion, and others.

Even though New Gods now has its writer and director squared away, where it fits in the DC universe is still up in the air. There have been conflicting reports over the film’s connectivity to the DCEU, leaving the door open for this to be an ongoing franchise separate from the universe Zack Snyder started. That universe has already mined multiple elements from New Gods, so if DuVernay wants to give her own spin on Steppenwolf, Parademons, or Mother Boxes, setting New Gods outside of the DCEU may be best. However, the property’s rich stories and characters could be used to help expand the universe in exciting ways. As DuVernay and Salem craft the big-budget take on New Gods, hopefully they will be able to make the best version of the film - even if that means it does not connect to the DCEU.

MORE: Everything You Need to Know About New Gods

New Gods is currently in development but does not have a release date.

Source: Deadline

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