Blackstar (2028 film)

Blackstar
Directed by	Evan Rourke
Based on	Blackstar by Daniel Mercer
Produced by	Mara Ellison
Starring	Callum Reid
Production company	Titan Forge Studios
Release date	October 6, 2028 (2028-10-06)
Country	United States
Language	English

Blackstar is an upcoming American superhero film based on the comic book series of the same name created by Daniel Mercer. The film is directed by Evan Rourke, produced by Mara Ellison, and stars Callum Reid as Adrian Vale / Blackstar. It is produced by Titan Forge Studios.

The film was announced during San Diego Comic-Con in July 2026. It draws inspiration from the 1997 comic-book storyline Blackstar: City Without Morning, but is not a direct adaptation. Principal photography is scheduled to begin in February 2027.

Blackstar is scheduled to be released theatrically in the United States on October 6, 2028.

Premise

Years after an astronomical event known as the Black Fall connects former emergency physician Adrian Vale to a mysterious energy called the Void, thousands of residents of the fictional city of Vesper disappear over the course of a single night. After authorities seal off the affected area, Vale enters the city and discovers that the disappearances may be connected to the event that gave him his abilities.

Cast

• Callum Reid as Adrian Vale / Blackstar, a former emergency physician who became connected to the Void following the Black Fall.

Production

Development

Blackstar is based on the comic book series of the same name created by Daniel Mercer, which was first published in 1994. The comics follow Adrian Vale, an emergency physician who becomes connected to an extradimensional energy known as the Void following an astronomical event called the Black Fall. The series incorporates elements of superhero fiction, psychological horror, crime fiction and supernatural fiction.

Titan Forge Studios developed a live-action film adaptation with Evan Rourke attached to direct and Mara Ellison producing. The film draws heavily from the 1997 storyline Blackstar: City Without Morning, although the studio stated that it would not be a direct adaptation.

Rourke described the film as a grounded supernatural thriller rather than a conventional superhero origin story. He said that the story would begin after Vale had already become Blackstar and would focus in part on the effects that his abilities had had on his life.

The filmmakers developed the project as a standalone film rather than as the beginning of a planned shared universe. Ellison said that the film was intended to tell a complete story without requiring sequels or crossovers, although she did not rule out additional projects based on the property.

Casting

Callum Reid was announced as Adrian Vale / Blackstar during the film's presentation at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2026. Reid said during the panel that he had concealed his involvement with the project for approximately six months.

In August 2026, several entertainment industry insiders reported that Titan Forge Studios had begun discussions with additional actors as the production moved further into pre-production. The studio did not comment on the reports.

Rebecca Ferguson was reported to have entered discussions for an undisclosed role. Industry reporter Jeff Sneider separately stated that Ferguson had been connected to the project, although he said that he could not confirm whether an agreement had been completed. The character Dr. Evelyn Voss, a major figure from the comics, was the subject of speculation in connection with Ferguson, although no source had reported the character as her role.

David Jonsson was also reported to have been offered a supporting role. The character was not identified, although the report described the role as appearing throughout a significant portion of the film.

Dan Stevens was reported to be under consideration for the film's primary antagonist, Dr. Silas Vane, a physicist from the comics who later becomes known as the Hollow Man. In the source material, Vane investigates the Black Fall and becomes convinced that the Void is a living entity. His attempts to establish permanent contact with it eventually transform him into one of Blackstar's recurring enemies. Vane is also featured in City Without Morning, the storyline cited by Rourke as an influence on the film.

Casting was additionally reported to be underway for a female co-lead identified in casting material only as "Mara". The role was reportedly written for an actress between the ages of 25 and 35, and several actresses had tested for the part by August 2026. The character's identity was not disclosed. Reports noted speculation that the role could be connected to Mara Vale, Adrian's younger sister in the comics, whose disappearance during the Black Fall is an important part of his backstory; however, this had not been confirmed.

J. K. Simmons was also reported to be under consideration for a smaller supporting role connected to Adrian's past. Reports did not identify the character, although Dr. Malcolm Vale, Adrian's estranged father, and Vesper police commissioner Arthur Kane were both discussed as possible characters. Neither possibility was confirmed.

As of August 2026, Reid remained the only cast member officially announced by Titan Forge Studios. Reports stated that the studio intended to complete much of the principal cast by October 2026, ahead of rehearsals and costume work later in the year.

Design

Concept art shown during the film's Comic-Con presentation depicted Blackstar wearing a weathered black tactical coat over a fitted protective suit, with parts of the costume appearing damaged or corrupted by the Void. The character's white eyes, a recurring visual feature in the comics, were retained for the film.

Rourke said that Blackstar's appearance was deliberately intended to be intimidating and that the white-eye effect would be achieved largely through practical effects during filming rather than being created entirely through visual effects in post-production.

Filming

An early camera test and costume test was conducted before the film's official announcement. Approximately 55 seconds of footage recorded during the test was shown during the film's Comic-Con presentation.

Principal photography is scheduled to begin in February 2027.

Marketing

Blackstar was officially announced by Titan Forge Studios on July 25, 2026, during the studio's Hall H presentation at San Diego Comic-Con. The announcement began with a fictional emergency broadcast and closed-circuit television footage depicting deserted streets before revealing the film's title and October 6, 2028 release date.

The studio also screened approximately 55 seconds of unfinished footage from an early camera and costume test. The footage showed Adrian Vale walking through the evacuated streets of Vesper as emergency broadcasts played from abandoned vehicles. Vale later encountered silhouettes inside an apartment building before activating his abilities, causing his eyes to turn white.

Release

Blackstar is scheduled to be released theatrically in the United States on October 6, 2028.