Warner Bros. and DC Comics are reportedly developing a Doctor Fate movie.
We Got This Covered reports there is already a story in place for Doctor Fate. Their report indicates the first half of the film will be a period piece while the second half will take place in the present. They also note Warner Bros. is looking for an actor between the ages of 30-40 play the mystical hero. They also report the studio “might end up going with a person of color” to play Doctor Fate.
This report about Doctor Fate comes off recent reports about Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s Black Adam featuring Justice Society of America members Hawkman, Atom Smasher, and Stargirl. There are also rumors that Hawkman will get his own film spinning out of Black Adam.
With the news about a Doctor Fate film, one can only speculate that DC might have a Justice Society of America film planned somewhere down the line.
Doctor Fate was created by Gardner Fox and Howard Sherman. The character first appeared in More Fun Comics #55. He would become a founding member f the Justice Society of America alongside Hour-Man, the Spectre, Sandman, the Atom, Flash, Green Lantern, and Hawkman.
The most prominent version of Doctor Fate is one of the founding members of the Justice Society of America, Kent Nelson. However, there have been a number of other characters who have gone on to become Doctor Fate. They include Eric Strauss and his step-mother Linda, Inza Cramer, Hector Hall, the son of Hawk and Dove, Kent V. Nelson the grandson of the original Doctor Fate, and Khalid Nassour, the grandnephew of Kent Nelson.
The title of Doctor Fate is able to be passed down and taken up by different people because the spirit of Nabu the Wise resides within a the golden, mystical Helmet of Nabu. Nabu made his presence known when Sven and Kent Nelson were excavating in the Valley of Ur. Kent happens upon the tomb of Nabu the Wise and revives him from suspended animation. Unfortunately, Nabu’s revival ends up killing Sven. While wearing the Helmet of Nabu grants the wearer exceedingly powerful mystical abilities, it also comes with the drawback that Nabu can possess the wearer.
In current continuity, Nabu has assumed the mantle of Doctor Fate taking on the identity of Kent Nelson and acting as an antagonist to Wonder Woman’s Justice League Dark team.
Given the report about the film being a period piece in the first half, and a modern take on the second half, it’s possible the film will include multiple versions of Doctor Fate. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Justice Society of America is hinted at in the period piece first half.
One thing is for sure, is that DC appears to be looking to explore it’s mystical side with Shazam! coming out in April and rumors swirling around Black Adam, Hawkman, and now Doctor Fate. I can only hope Zatanna is just around the corner!
What do you think about a Doctor Fate movie?