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This is just like magic!

Sony Is Making A Sabrina The Teenage Witch Movie Where Sabrina Is A Superhero

by Jill Pantozzi | 11:02 am, April 12th, 2012


Whether your mind first jumps to the original Archie Comics, the numerous animated series, or the live-action ABC sitcom, fans of Sabrina the Teenage Witch listen up. Sony Pictures is developing a live-action film where Sabrina will get a Spider-Man-like origin story and use her powers like a superhero. I think my nose is twitching. Oh wait, wrong witch. 

Deadline writes, “The precocious teen witch who originated in 60s Archie Comics, is being recast as a superhero. The live action film will be an origin story in the vein of Spider-Man, about a young girl coming to terms with her remarkable powers. Scribes Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari (they wrote Die In A Gunfight for MRC) will write the script, and Real Steel producers Don Murphy and Susan Montford are producing. Mark Waters, who worked on the presentation that Sony Pictures sparked to, might direct depending on scheduling.”

Coincidentally enough, Archie announced plans last year to create a new CGI animated series for their famous character but the project has yet to be picked up by a network. Deadline writes, “Archie Comics’ Jon Goldwater will be executive producer and screenwriter Jeff Stockwell, who also worked on the presentation, will be co-producer.” This film version will be decidedly different from what came before it it would seem.

“While the tone of the movie will be edgier, they are keeping her talking black cat Salem, who here is a transformed prince creating unique love stories for Sabrina,” Deadline explained, adding that the studio is looking to discover an actress for the lead role rather than cast someone famous.

I never read the comics or watched the animated series but I was a big fan of the Melissa Joan Hart starring TV show. I’m still not sure how I feel about this particular project. What are your thoughts? Do you think a film in this vein could work?

(via Deadline)

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  • http://twitter.com/Super_Widget Joanna

    DO. NOT. WANT. >.<

  • http://twitter.com/LizCLong Liz Long

    Nope. I wouldn’t be surprised or upset about a plain ol’ Sabrina reboot, but trying to make it realistic and superhero is kinda lame. The whole point of the show was seeing her go through fun/silly things, not taking it super seriously. No thanks.

  • Anonymous

    So, Sabrina the Scarlet Witch then?

  • Anonymous

    I’m withholding judgement.  It doesn’t seem like a particularly great movie to me, but then I thought turning a movie about a valley girl vampire hunter into a TV series was a bad idea, and a movie about a pirate ride sounded lame, so what do I know?

  • http://psychotronicvortex.tumblr.com/ Psychotronic (Michael F.)

    *facepalm* I think this qualifies as a WTF.

  • Jorell Rivera

    Eh, I guess?  “Edgy” and “superhero” aren’t two words I would describe the character, but it might work.

  • Frodo Baggins

    On the one hand: female superhero film. On the other hand: tacked on origin story, inappropriate tone, sounds pretty dumb.

  • Anonymous

    You don’t need to turn Sabrina into Spider-Man, she’s fine the way she is.

  • http://twitter.com/EpicPseudonym K.K.

    I would love to see an actiony Sabrina the Teenage Witch movie, but there really isn’t enough information here to judge it much. The tone would definitely be different from any of the shows or movies previously based on it…unless it IS some teeny bopper-style film…which is what ever other incarnation of Sabrina has been. I don’t think it will do well outside the middle school crowd if that’s the case.

  • http://www.facebook.com/sdmcpherson Stephen Dudley McPherson

    I hope there’s not too much angst. Superhero movies should be fun, not existential.

  • Anonymous

    Is anyone else weirded out by the fact that they’re turning her *cat* Salem into her love interest..? Oh, my childhood.

  • http://www.facebook.com/Gorillazfan Emily Hill

    So which aunt dies I mean since we’re going spidey route or maybe since her mom isn’t allowed near her its mom who dies I’m just saying really an origin story

  • http://www.patheos.com Star Foster

    See, they should do a straight up reboot rather than this nonsense. Practical Magic was a big hit, and I think a Sabrina movie has a chance for a similar cult following.

    I doubt I will like this film, especially with all the emphasis on a “love interest.”

  • Anonymous

    No no no! What is this?
    I was turned instantly off by the superhero idea but to have Salem as the love interest?? That’s just creepy and I love the ex-con Salem so this is a no go…also he’s a prince? Where the heck does that come from? 
    Also “edgy”?? I think I may be sick….

  • http://twitter.com/ashareem HRM

    I already don’t like it, and that’s just from reading this story, and frankly, I’m surprised that Archie Comics would approve of such mangling.

    But I guess if Michael Bey can turn the Turtles in to aliens … 

    I guess it’s a good thing I am well supplied with movies that I like on DVD; I don’t see myself or my family going to the theater much over the next few years.

  • Adam Whitley

    and of course he’s a prince because monarchies are so awesome….

  • Adam Whitley

    I thought it sounded ok untill the description of Salem.

  • obscurebookwyrm

    There seem to be a couple of sticky points about this film. On the question of actress: as long as they pick someone talented, I’m personally ok with whoever gets chosen.

    Then there’s Salem-as-love-interest. Color me bizarre, but that idea bothers me a lot less than the superhero reboot part. I know I’ve mentioned this elsewhere, but there is a “Beauty and the Beast” element to Salem’s back story. Originally he was a normal cat; it wasn’t until a later version of the comics ran that he became a “defrocked warlock”. Over the adaptations, the reason for his transformation has varied. In one comic reboot, he stood a witch up at the altar and she turned him into a cat as revenge. In the 1996 movie, he was being punished for using his powers to impress (and attract) a mortal lover. In the 90s sitcom, it was attempted world domination. In each version, the character has stayed fairly consistent. If they keep Salem as his usual snarky self, I’m willing to let it slide. So on the whole that’s the part that bothers me least.

    What it comes down to, then – I hate the idea of a Spiderman-style back story, and am not thrilled
    about a superhero plot. Even if it’s a good film in and of itself, it
    will be a terrible adaptation since it’s so far from the spirit of the
    original Sabrina story. I really hope that Sony reconsiders that part!

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