It’s common for superhero film directors to dip their toes into the genre with a more niche project before taking on a well-known franchise. For some, this path works out—like , who went from 2010’s Super to co-presidency at DC Studios. For others, it’s less successful, such as Josh Trank, who made Chronicle before helming 2015’s .
Yet the most striking example of this trend comes from one of the most celebrated franchise directors ever, who created a gritty noir superhero movie—and now, two directors who adored the original are reviving it.
According to , Sam Raimi’s 1990 superhero flick Darkman is getting a new follow-up from Brian Netto and Adam Schindler—directors of the Netflix horror film Don’t Move, which Raimi produced. Details about the movie’s plot are scarce, but it’s clear the project has been in the works for some time. “When it comes to Sam-related projects, it’s Darkman. We talked about Darkman [with him]. We have a love and affinity for Darkman,” Schindler told in 2024. “Darkman was my favorite film for a large part of my life,” Netto added. “It was the movie, so Darkman would be really interesting.”
The original Darkman, starring Liam Neeson and Frances McDormand, follows a scientist left disfigured by a gangster’s attack. Using his newfound superpowers and experimental skin replacement tech, he impersonates criminals to exact vengeance. It shares little resemblance to the Spider-Man trilogy, but in hindsight, it serves as a perfect transition from Raimi’s pure horror films to the righteous vengeance-driven superhero movies he’d later make. In the most complimentary way: it’s his Toxic Avenger.
Darkman did spawn two sequels, but they were straight-to-video releases—Liam Neeson didn’t reprise his role, and Raimi only served as executive producer. Needless to say, they didn’t draw the same audience, so this new project is likely a reboot or remake of the original, not Darkman 4.
Superhero movies are now so ubiquitous that a new Darkman would feel just as fresh today as it did in 1990. If The Toxic Avenger can make a comeback, then so can Darkman.