‘BLACK LIGHTNING’ STRIKES AT FOX

The network ordered a pilot with Greg Berlanti set to produce.

THR has reported that Fox Television has committed to a pilot for a new superhero drama based on DC Comics’ Black Lightning character. The pilot will be produced by Warner Television with Greg Berlanti (Flash, Supergirl) set to head the project. Black Lightning is one of DC’s first black superheroes, debuting in 1977 and eventually being introduced in the classic Super Friends cartoon. Fox already has collaborated with Warner on the Batman-inspired drama Gotham, now entering it’s third season.

The pilot will focus on the story of Jefferson Pierce, a retired vigilante dragged back into the world of superheroics after his daughter decides to follow in his footsteps. Currently, there is no word whether this will connect to other DC Comics properties currently airing on the CW. Berlanti is notably the executive producer on all of the CW’s superhero programs, which also includes Arrow and Legends of Tomorrow. Should the pilot be ordered to series it would mark the first network superhero drama featuring a black lead, Netflix’s Luke Cage notwithstanding.