Let’s be clear: This rumor comes from anonymous sources and is in no way official. But it worries me so much, I’m breaking a couple of my own deeply-held convictions to pray to every deity I can that it’s not true. Ready? Okay, deep breath. The rumor is that Warner Bros. is looking at Jaden Smith to star in Static Shock.
The live-action Static Shock series is being made as part of Warner Bros.’ new digital division, and is being helmed by Reginald Hudlin (Django Unchained and House Party). In theory, a digital project with a decent budget should be taking creative risks, but this latest rumor seems to hint that Warner Bros. wants the publicity bump from Jaden Smith’s name.
https://gizmodo.com/critters-and-static-shock-series-coming-to-warner-bros-1649293158
According to Flickering Myth, the studio is looking at the second-youngest Smith for the part of Virgil Ovid Hawkins. If that happens, and Will Smith is actually locked down for Suicide Squad, there will be a Smith in every live-action branch of the DC universe. Jada Pinkett-Smith on TV in Gotham, Will Smith in the films, and Jaden in the digital realm.
Not to rag on a child, but as someone with very found feelings towards Static Shock, I’d really like to see a more unique direction being taken here. But who knows? Maybe I’m just overreacting to After Earth, and he’s actually the perfect match being overshadowed by one vanity project gone awry.
