J.J. Abramsand Bad Robot are teaming withAngela Robinsonto bring DC Comics' Madame X to HBO Max,as per The Hollywood Reporter. Abrams specifically sought out theProfessor Marston and the Wonder Womenwriter and director to steer the project, which she’s set to script and executive produce, while there’s a strong chance she’ll step behind the camera for at least a couple of episodes as well.
The filmmaker previously had an overall deal with Paramount TV, but she’s upped sticks and headed over to Warner Bros. to join Bad Robot’s rapidly expanding roster of DC properties in various stages of development for HBO Max and the big screen. Madame Xanadu made her first comic book appearance back in 1978, and subsequent explorations of her origin story have placed her as Nimue, younger sister of Morgaine Le Fay and Vivienne, the Lady of the Lake, directly tying her to Arthurian folklore. The character appeared in an episode of the animated seriesYoung Justice.
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In more recent iterations, she’s been part of the Justice League Dark,which is also coming to streamingwith Abrams and Bad Robot at the helm, so it’s almost certainly not a coincidence that Madame X is getting a solo series, especially when the outfit is additionallyrebootingConstantineas part of the same mythology.
Bad Robot are going all-in on the DC Universe, with the aforementioned shows joined by the animatedBatman: Caped Crusaderthat’s being fronted by Abrams,Matt ReevesandBruce Timm, as well asthe newSupermanmoviepenned byTa-Nehisi CoatesandZatanna, which is being written byrecent Academy Award winnerEmerald Fennell.
Outside of superhero stories, Bad Robot are overseeingThe ShiningspinoffOverlook,epic sci-fi fantasyDemimonde, an adaptation ofGlennon Doyle’s memoirUntamed,reality-bending college dramaSubject to Changeand 1970s-set crime thrillerDuster, which hasJosh Hollowaytapped for the lead role. All are slated for either HBO or HBO Max, in addition tocontinued involvementwithWestworld.
There’s no word yet on when we can expect to see Madame X, but it’s clearly a high priority given the lengths Abrams has gone to in order to secure Robinson’s services, poaching her away from Paramount with a contract said to be in the low eight figures.
