Spawn (1997)

Spawn is an American action/horror movie based on the Spawn comic book series by Image Comics. It was directed by Mark A.Z. Dippé and loosely adapts the first four issues of the series which were written and illustrated by series creator Todd McFarlane. The film was produced by New Line Cinema and Todd McFarlane Entertainment and released theatrically in the United States on August 1st, 1997. An adaptation of the movie was released as a one-shot graphic novel in December, 1997. The issue was written by Ted Adams and Alan McElroy and illustrated by Carlos D'Anda. The film stars Michael Jai White as soldier of fortune Al Simmons - a man who is murdered and resurrected as a Hellspawn - a reluctant soldier for the devil, Malebolgia. Confounding Simmons' problems is a demonic clown who goads him into accepting his new position, as well as a mercenary named Jessica Priest - the femme fatale who murdered him.

Notes & Trivia

 * The tagline for this film is, "From flesh to steel. From blood to blade. From man... to Spawn."


 * Production on Spawn began on August 13th, 1996. Principal photography concluded on November 13th. The movie was shot in studio in Los Angeles, California with exterior scenes being filmed on location in New York City, New York.


 * Spawn ranked #2 in box office receipts for the weekend of August 1st, 1997. It was screened in 2,536 theaters, averaging $7,783 per showing. At its widest release, Spawn was shown in 2,604 theaters.


 * McFarlane toys released an action figure line to coincide with the film.


 * Spawn creator Todd McFarlane makes a cameo appearance in the film as a bum in an alley. An action figure of McFarlane's character was produced by McFarlane Toys in a limited edition release and is considered a valuable and, at the time, highly sought after collector's item.


 * Spawn #64 was released to retailers at the time that the film was released.


 * This is the final film work for actor Nicol Williamson, who plays Cogliostro.