There's Going to Be a Movie About an Awesome Plus-Size Superhero, 'Faith'
Superhero movie fans are about to witness something big: the first plus-sized hero on the big screen. Valiant’s Faith Herber, who goes by the alias Zephyr in Valiant’s Faith comic book series, is getting her own live-action movie from Sony.
On Thursday, Deadline reported that Sony is moving forward with its third movie in its five-picture deal with Valiant, the comic book publisher recently acquired by DMG Entertainment. Faith enters its early stages while Bloodshot starring Vin Diesel and the ensemble film Harbinger are also in development.
Orphaned at an early age, Faith Herbert is a Psiot, a sub-species of humans in the Valiant Universe capable of special powers. After forming the Renegades with other young Psiots, Faith settled in Los Angeles and became a journalist under the fake identity Summer Smith. Using her powers of flight and creating force fields, Faith saves the world as the superhero Zephyr.
In addition to the Renegades, Faith has also been a member of Unity, the elite team of superheroes in the Valiant Universe that includes Ninak, X-O Manowar, Livewire, and the Eternal Warrior. But unlike most of the characters in the Valiant Universe, Faith is a pop culture geek obsessed with comic books and Doctor Who, so she’s really having a blast being her own superhero.
Originally introduced in 1992, Faith resurfaced in 2012 as part of Valiant’s big reboot following a period of defunct publishing. In 2016, she was given her own starring solo series, Faith, written by Jody Houser (DC’s Mother Panic). The comic became a hit, spawning spin-offs like Faith and the Future Force.
Little is known about the project, as it’s still in the early stages of development, but Stranger Things breakout star Shannon Purser (RIP Barb) has expressed an interest on Twitter. Purser might be a little young for the role, but if nothing else her excitement is a good measure of what a blockbuster plus-size superhero means in terms of representation.
Maria Melnik will write the movie and Neal Moritz and Dan Mintz are set to produce. There is no release date at this time.
