DC Entertainment has recently revealed the first look of CW’s Black Lightning. The character will be portrayed by Cress Williams. The series is still currently early in production so premiere details are not confirmed at this time.
The costume was designed by Laura Jean Shannon, who is famous for working on costumes for The Jungle Book, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, and Iron Man, just to name a few. To quote the article from DC Entertainment
The first African-American super hero to have his own standalone comic title, the character of Black Lightning was created by Tony Isabella with Trevor Von Eeden in 1977. The television adaptation tells the tale of a father drawn reluctantly back into the super hero game.
Jefferson Pierce made his choice: he hung up the suit and his secret identity years ago, but with one daughter hell-bent on justice and the other a star student being recruited by a local gang, he’ll be pulled back into the fight as the wanted vigilante and DC legend — Black Lightning.
Salim Akil the executive producer, writer, and director of the series had this to say about the project.
“I knew way too much about the world as a young boy growing up in Richmond, California. I was no stranger to violence, death, hopelessness or the feeling that no one cared about what was happening in my life.”
“Comics were a great way for me to escape. I was about 13 when Black Lightning was created, and finally there was a Black Super Hero that gave a damn about our neighborhood and our lives.”
“Resurrecting him at a time in our society when a sense of hope is lacking…Black Lightning will be that hope. And in updating the suit, it will signal to a new generation that it’s time to harness and release our power, and become our own Super Heroes.”
Greg Berlanti, Salim Akil, Mara Brock Akil, and Sarach Schecter will be working as the executive producers on the project. The series will be directed by Salim Akil.
Source: DC Entertainment
