Blackstar (2028 film)
| Blackstar | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Evan Rourke |
| Screenplay by |
|
| Based on | Blackstar by Daniel Mercer |
| Produced by | Mara Ellison |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Matthias Keller |
| Music by | Elias North |
Production company | |
Release date |
|
Running time | 148 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Blackstar is a 2028 American superhero film based on the comic book series of the same name created by Daniel Mercer. Directed by Evan Rourke from a screenplay he co-wrote with Nathan Cole, the film stars Callum Reid as Adrian Vale / Blackstar, alongside Rebecca Ferguson, David Jonsson, Dan Stevens, Daisy Edgar-Jones, J. K. Simmons, Jessie Buckley, Brian Tyree Henry, Rory McCann, LaKeith Stanfield, Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman and Ryan Gosling. The film was produced by Titan Forge Studios.
Development of the film began more than two years before its announcement at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2026, when Reid was revealed in the title role. Rourke and Cole drew inspiration from the 1997 comic-book storyline Blackstar: City Without Morning, while developing the film as a standalone story rather than a direct adaptation. The principal cast was announced in October 2026, with Stanfield joining in January 2027. Reynolds, Jackman and Gosling joined in undisclosed roles when principal photography began in the United Kingdom in February 2027. Filming concluded later that year. Their roles were revealed in June 2028 as Daniel Creed, the Warden and Nathaniel Grey, respectively.
During post-production, Rourke and Titan Forge disagreed over the future of the property and the development of a sequel. In August 2028, the studio announced that Rourke would not return and that Mara Venn had been hired to develop a sequel with Cole. Following the film's release, Rourke said that Titan Forge had effectively decided not to retain him for the sequel after he declined to commit to the studio's proposed production schedule and disagreed with its intended direction for a follow-up. He nevertheless stated that the theatrical version of Blackstar, including its ending and post-credits scene, represented the film he intended to make.
Blackstar was released theatrically on October 6, 2028.
Premise
Eleven years after an astronomical event known as the Black Fall altered the city of Vesper and permanently connected former emergency physician Adrian Vale to an extradimensional force known as the Void, approximately 38,000 residents disappear from part of the city simultaneously. When physicist Evelyn Voss presents evidence that Adrian's younger sister Mara, who disappeared during the original Black Fall, may still be alive, Adrian returns to Vesper and becomes involved in a conflict over the nature of the Void and the cause of the disappearances.[1][2]
Cast
- Callum Reid as Adrian Vale / Blackstar, a former emergency physician who became connected to the Void during the Black Fall eleven years earlier.[1]
- Rebecca Ferguson as Dr. Evelyn Voss, a theoretical physicist and former Black Fall researcher who has continued investigating the phenomenon.[1]
- David Jonsson as Detective Isaac Ward, a detective with the Vesper Police Department who investigates disappearances preceding the main event.[1]
- Dan Stevens as Dr. Silas Vane, the former director of the Vesper Institute for Extradimensional Research and a scientist involved in the original Black Fall. Vane believes the event represented a form of contact with another reality rather than simply a catastrophe.[1][2]
- Daisy Edgar-Jones as Mara Vale, Adrian's younger sister, who disappeared during the original Black Fall.[1]
- J. K. Simmons as Dr. Malcolm Vale, Adrian and Mara's father and a scientist who investigated the Black Fall.[1]
- Jessie Buckley as Elena Cross, an investigative journalist investigating unexplained incidents connected to the Black Fall.[1]
- Brian Tyree Henry as Commissioner Arthur Kane, the commissioner of the Vesper Police Department.[1]
- Rory McCann as Father Gabriel Rook, who operates a shelter in one of Vesper's oldest districts and has knowledge of supernatural events predating the Black Fall.[1]
- LaKeith Stanfield as Dr. Julian Cross, a former Vesper Institute researcher who disappeared following the Black Fall. The character was created for the film and incorporates elements of several characters from the comics.[3]
- Ryan Reynolds as Daniel Creed, a private recovery contractor specialising in objects and locations connected to unexplained events.[4]
- Hugh Jackman as the Warden, an inhabitant of the Void who has an unexplained connection to Adrian dating to the original Black Fall.[4]
- Ryan Gosling as Nathaniel Grey, a government operative who assumes control of the response to the Vesper disappearances.[4]
Production
Development
Blackstar is based on the comic-book series created by Daniel Mercer, first published in 1994. The comics follow Adrian Vale, an emergency physician who becomes connected to an extradimensional force known as the Void following an astronomical phenomenon called the Black Fall. The series incorporates elements of superhero fiction, psychological horror, crime fiction and supernatural fiction.[5]
Titan Forge Studios began developing a film adaptation more than two years before its public announcement.[1] Evan Rourke was hired to direct, with Mara Ellison producing. Rourke co-wrote the screenplay with Nathan Cole.[6] The screenplay drew inspiration from the 1997 storyline Blackstar: City Without Morning, although Rourke said the film was not a direct adaptation.[5]
Rourke described the project as a supernatural thriller rather than a conventional superhero origin story. The story begins years after Vale acquired his abilities and focuses on the consequences of the Black Fall and his relationship with the Void.[5][1]
The filmmakers initially developed Blackstar as a standalone film. Ellison said in July 2026 that the story was intended to be complete without requiring sequels or crossover films.[5] Titan Forge reiterated in October that a sequel or wider interconnected franchise had not been announced.[1]
Reports in December 2026 stated that Titan Forge had held preliminary discussions about a possible sequel, with potential directions for Adrian's story being considered.[6] The reports also claimed that the Pale King, an antagonist from the comics, had been discussed as a possible character. Titan Forge denied in January 2027 that a sequel had entered development, while Rourke said that he had ideas for additional stories but was focused on the first film.[3]
Casting
Callum Reid was announced as Adrian Vale / Blackstar during Titan Forge's San Diego Comic-Con presentation in July 2026.[5]
In August 2026, reports stated that Rebecca Ferguson was in negotiations for an undisclosed role, while David Jonsson had been offered a supporting part. Dan Stevens and J. K. Simmons were also linked to the project.[7]
Titan Forge announced the principal cast on October 8, 2026. Ferguson was cast as Evelyn Voss, Jonsson as Isaac Ward, Stevens as Silas Vane, Daisy Edgar-Jones as Mara Vale and Simmons as Malcolm Vale. Jessie Buckley, Brian Tyree Henry and Rory McCann were also announced as Elena Cross, Arthur Kane and Gabriel Rook, respectively.[1]
Rourke described Ward as an audience viewpoint character who begins the film without knowledge of Blackstar or the Void. He also said that Vane was not intended to function as a conventional villain, with the character believing that his actions were justified.[1]
In January 2027, LaKeith Stanfield joined the cast as Julian Cross, a character created for the film from elements of several minor characters in Mercer's comics.[3]
On February 15, 2027, Titan Forge announced that Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman and Ryan Gosling had joined the cast in undisclosed roles.[8] Their roles remained undisclosed throughout production and much of the film's early marketing.[9]
The film's first full trailer, released on June 9, 2028, revealed Reynolds as Daniel Creed, Jackman as the Warden and Gosling as Nathaniel Grey.[4] Rourke said the characters had been kept secret because identifying them would have disclosed aspects of the story.[4]
Design
Early concept art shown at Comic-Con depicted Blackstar wearing a weathered black tactical coat over a fitted suit, with white eyes derived from the character's appearance in the comics.[5] Rourke said that the costume was designed to make Blackstar initially appear threatening rather than immediately identifiable as a conventional superhero.[5]
The white-eye effect was achieved primarily through practical effects, supplemented by digital effects.[5] The costume shown at Comic-Con was an early prototype and was subsequently refined during pre-production while retaining its long coat, dark colour scheme and white eyes.[1]
Titan Forge confirmed in January 2027 that the final costume had been completed.[3] An official image of Reid wearing it was released shortly before filming began.[8]
Sets and locations
Production designer Helena Ward oversaw the construction of the fictional city of Vesper.[1] Significant portions of the city were built on sound stages and exterior backlots in the United Kingdom.[1]
Sets included the Vesper Institute for Extradimensional Research, St. Orison Hospital, sections of the city's underground transit system and streets within the area affected by the disappearances.[1] Location filming also took place in Glasgow, Manchester and London.[1]
Rourke said that Vesper was designed as a distinct fictional city rather than as a direct analogue of an existing comic-book setting.[1] During pre-production, several sequences originally expected to rely extensively on digital environments were redesigned around physical sets.[6]
Filming
Principal photography began on February 15, 2027, in the United Kingdom.[8] The first day involved Reid, Jonsson and several hundred background actors on a Vesper street set. Reid also filmed scenes in the Blackstar costume that day.[8]
Matthias Keller served as cinematographer. Keller and Rourke had begun camera tests on completed sets by January 2027.[3]
Filming continued for approximately five months. The production initially concentrated on constructed Vesper environments before moving between studio and location filming.[8] Material involving the Void was primarily filmed during the latter part of production. Rourke also filmed flashback sequences depicting the original Black Fall.[8]
The production combined physical environments, miniature photography, practical effects and digital manipulation for sequences involving the Void.[6] Principal photography had concluded by October 2027, when the film entered post-production.[9]
Post-production
Rourke participated in post-production throughout late 2027 and 2028. Elias North composed the film's score, which was recorded during 2028.[10] Visual-effects work also continued into mid-2028, with unfinished effects appearing in footage shown during private promotional presentations.[10]
The theatrical cut has a running time of 148 minutes.[11]
During post-production, Titan Forge began discussing a sequel and the future direction of the property with Rourke.[12] According to reports, Rourke was unwilling to immediately commit to another film, while Titan Forge wanted to establish a production schedule for a sequel before the first film was released.[12]
The parties also discussed the ending of Blackstar. Titan Forge considered making elements of the ending more explicitly establish a sequel, while Rourke wanted the film to function as a complete standalone story.[12] The theatrical ending remained substantially as Rourke intended.[11]
Rourke later said that studio executives had proposed changes during production and post-production but rejected claims that the studio had taken creative control of the film away from him. He said that some studio suggestions were rejected while others were incorporated into the finished film, and described this as a normal part of making a studio production.[11]
Rourke also dismissed speculation about the existence of an alternative director's cut, stating that the theatrical version was his intended cut of the film.[11]
Rourke's departure
In August 2028, Titan Forge announced that Rourke would not return for a sequel, citing creative and production disagreements.[12] Industry reports described the decision as Rourke having been dismissed from future Blackstar projects, although he remained the director of the completed first film.[12]
Following the film's release on October 6, Rourke confirmed that Titan Forge had effectively decided to proceed with the sequel without him, while distinguishing this from being removed from the first film.[11] He said that he had completed Blackstar before the studio decided to appoint another director for its sequel.[11]
Rourke attributed the split primarily to disagreements over timing and the direction of a second film. After spending several years on Blackstar, he wanted to direct a smaller original thriller before deciding whether to return to the franchise.[11] Titan Forge, meanwhile, wanted a director who could commit to the sequel and its proposed production schedule.[11]
Rourke also said that his proposed sequel would have focused more narrowly on Adrian following the events of the first film, while Titan Forge preferred to expand the story beyond Vesper and explore additional characters and mythology.[11] He described the two approaches as incompatible at the time development began.[11]
Although Rourke said that he was initially angry about the decision, he rejected characterisations of the split as a feud and defended Titan Forge's right to continue the franchise.[11] He credited the studio with supporting several of his creative decisions on the first film, including its extensive practical sets, supernatural tone and extended running time.[11]
Rourke said that he subsequently spoke with his successor, Mara Venn, and encouraged her to develop her own interpretation rather than imitate his work.[11] He declined a creative role on the sequel and said that he would not consult on or review its screenplay during development.[11]
Rourke also said that Reid had known of his departure before it was publicly announced and that he encouraged the actor to remain with the franchise.[11]
Marketing
Blackstar was announced on July 25, 2026, during Titan Forge's Hall H presentation at San Diego Comic-Con.[5] The announcement was preceded by a fictional emergency broadcast and security-camera footage depicting abandoned streets in Vesper, followed by the film's title and October 6, 2028 release date.[5]
Approximately 55 seconds of unfinished test footage was also shown. It depicted Adrian walking through evacuated streets before lights activated throughout an apartment building and silhouettes became visible behind its windows.[5]
An official image of Reid wearing the completed Blackstar costume was released in February 2027 shortly before filming began.[8]
Gaming partnerships
In January 2027, Titan Forge announced a promotional initiative involving collaborations with existing video games during 2028.[13] Planned collaborations included character cosmetics, themed environments, challenges and limited-time events based on Vesper and the Void.[13]
Titan Forge said it was considering between four and six collaborations, with the largest promotions planned between August and October 2028.[13] Reid underwent additional 3D scanning for a playable Blackstar cosmetic planned for one of the collaborations.[13]
Promotional campaign
In October 2027, Titan Forge released a nine-second promotional video depicting an empty Vesper subway platform. The video began a series of short promotional pieces presented through security footage, emergency broadcasts, phone recordings and other fictional material from within Vesper.[9]
The campaign continued into 2028 and gradually incorporated footage of the film's characters. Reid's early appearances as Blackstar were generally obscured through silhouettes, darkness and close-up shots.[9]
A seven-day countdown in June 2028 preceded the release of the first full trailer. The campaign concluded with a video announcing a "Worldwide Reveal".[4]
The first trailer, titled Blackstar | Worldwide Reveal Trailer, was released on June 9, 2028.[4] It revealed the Black Fall, the present-day Vesper disappearances and footage of Blackstar's abilities. It also revealed Reynolds, Jackman and Gosling as Creed, the Warden and Grey, respectively.[4]
A teaser poster was released the following day. It depicted Blackstar standing in an abandoned Vesper intersection beneath a fractured phenomenon in the sky and used the tagline "The darkness remembers you".[14]
Titan Forge held private footage presentations for members of the press and exhibitors during July and August. The presentations contained between eight and fifteen minutes of material assembled from several sections of the film.[10] The studio did not publicly release the complete presentations.[10]
Although the film had originally been announced at San Diego Comic-Con, Rourke confirmed in July 2028 that Titan Forge would not promote the film at that year's convention.[15] He said that Titan Forge preferred to release new footage simultaneously to the public rather than premiere it exclusively to convention attendees.[15]
The second trailer was released on August 10.[2] It provided a more detailed explanation of the disappearances, Mara's connection to Adrian's return to Vesper and Vane's belief that the Black Fall represented contact with another reality. It also included additional footage of Creed, Grey and Blackstar's confrontation with Vane.[2]
Titan Forge released the final theatrical poster on August 28. The poster featured Reid, Edgar-Jones, Stevens, Ferguson, Gosling, Reynolds, Jonsson and Jackman, with the tagline "Some doors should stay closed".[12]
Release
Blackstar was released theatrically on October 6, 2028.[11] Thursday evening preview screenings were held in several territories before its worldwide opening.[11]
The film has a running time of 148 minutes.[11]
Reports in December 2026 had suggested that Titan Forge was considering delaying the film from October 2028 to 2029 because of its production scope and visual-effects requirements.[6] The studio denied that a delay was under consideration in January 2027 and continued to use the October 6, 2028 date throughout production and marketing.[3][8]
The film contains a post-credits scene.[11] Following its release, Rourke said that he and Cole conceived the sequence during principal photography and that it was filmed before Titan Forge formally began development of the sequel.[11]
Future
Sequel
On August 28, 2028, Titan Forge announced that a sequel was in early development.[12] Mara Venn, director of Silent Vector (2025) and The House Beneath (2027), was hired to direct, with Nathan Cole continuing as a screenwriter.[12] Callum Reid is expected to reprise his role as Adrian Vale / Blackstar.[12]
Titan Forge had previously denied reports of sequel development in January and February 2027.[3][8] According to reports accompanying the August 2028 announcement, development began after the studio's internal response to footage from the first film.[12]
Rourke did not return for the sequel after declining to commit to Titan Forge's proposed schedule and disagreeing with the studio over the direction of the follow-up.[11] Rourke said that he had considered a smaller, more character-focused continuation centred on Adrian, while Titan Forge wanted to broaden the setting, mythology and supporting cast.[11]
Rourke said that Venn contacted him before her appointment was announced and that he encouraged her to develop the sequel according to her own approach.[11] He is not involved as a producer, consultant or screenwriter and said that he did not intend to read the screenplay during development.[11]
Reid had been informed of Rourke's departure before it was publicly announced. According to Rourke, Reid asked whether he objected to the actor continuing in the role, which Rourke encouraged him to do.[11]
No other returning cast members have been announced. Rourke declined to discuss whether characters portrayed by Reynolds, Jackman, Gosling or other members of the ensemble could return, citing spoilers for the first film.[11]
Reports have continued to link the Pale King to the sequel, although Titan Forge and Venn have not confirmed the character's involvement.[12] No release date or production start has been announced.
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 "BLACKSTAR Cast Officially Announced as Titan Forge Reveals New Story and Production Details". Titan Forge Studios. October 8, 2026.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|url=(help) - ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "BLACKSTAR New Trailer Released — Titan Forge Finally Pulls Back the Curtain With Less Than Two Months to Go". Titan Forge Studios. August 10, 2028.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Missing or empty|url=(help) - ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 "OFFICIAL: BLACKSTAR Adds New Cast Member, Filming Begins February 15 as Titan Forge Debunks Delay and Sequel Reports". Titan Forge Studios. January 12, 2027.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|url=(help) - ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 "BLACKSTAR "Worldwide Reveal" Trailer Finally Released — Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman and Ryan Gosling Roles Officially Revealed". Titan Forge Studios. June 9, 2028.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Missing or empty|url=(help) - ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 "SDCC 2026: BLACKSTAR Officially Announced for 2028". Titan Forge Studios. July 25, 2026.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|url=(help) - ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 "BLACKSTAR 2 Already in Development? Studio Insiders Claim Titan Forge Is Quietly Planning a Sequel as 2028 Release Date Comes Into Question". Titan Forge Studios. December 4, 2026.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|url=(help) - ↑ "BLACKSTAR Reportedly Circling Several New Cast Members Ahead of 2027 Production". Titan Forge Studios. August 18, 2026.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|url=(help) - ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 8.8 "BLACKSTAR Officially Begins Filming as Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman and Ryan Gosling Join Cast in Mystery Roles". Titan Forge Studios. February 15, 2027.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|url=(help) - ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 "INSIDER: BLACKSTAR "Worldwide Reveal" Teaser Trailer Reportedly Set for June 2028 After Months of Mysterious Footage". Titan Forge Studios. October 21, 2027.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|url=(help) - ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 "INSIDERS: BLACKSTAR Early Looks Confirmed as Second Full Trailer Reportedly Coming Much Sooner Than Expected". Titan Forge Studios. June 22, 2028.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Missing or empty|url=(help) - ↑ 11.00 11.01 11.02 11.03 11.04 11.05 11.06 11.07 11.08 11.09 11.10 11.11 11.12 11.13 11.14 11.15 11.16 11.17 11.18 11.19 11.20 11.21 11.22 11.23 11.24 11.25 "BLACKSTAR Is Officially Out — Evan Rourke Finally Reveals What Happened With Titan Forge and Why He Won't Return for the Sequel". Titan Forge Studios. October 6, 2028.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Missing or empty|url=(help) - ↑ 12.00 12.01 12.02 12.03 12.04 12.05 12.06 12.07 12.08 12.09 12.10 "CONFIRMED: BLACKSTAR Sequel in Development With New Director After Evan Rourke Exit — Final Theatrical Poster Revealed". Titan Forge Studios. August 28, 2028.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Missing or empty|url=(help) - ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 "BLACKSTAR Is Coming to Gaming: Titan Forge Confirms Major "Games Marketing Campaign" for 2028 Film". Titan Forge Studios. January 29, 2027.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|url=(help) - ↑ "BLACKSTAR Teaser Poster Revealed — Hidden Details, Possible Spoilers and Everything We Found". Titan Forge Studios. June 10, 2028.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Missing or empty|url=(help) - ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Evan Rourke Confirms BLACKSTAR Will Skip Comic-Con 2028 — Second Trailer Officially Set for August 10". Titan Forge Studios. July 3, 2028.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Missing or empty|url=(help)