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CW’s ‘Black Lightning’ First Trailer Has Just Been Released, A Retired Hero Goes Back To His Roots

By Kendi Banks
Published on: 11:34 PST, May 18, 2017

Black Lightning’s first ever trailer was released today, as part of The CW’s Upfronts.

The trailer introduces us to Jefferson Pierce, a former superhero turned respected school principal. In his younger days, he lived a dangerous life to rid his city of dangerous criminals. Eventually, Jefferson traded in his super suit for a suit and tie, in an effort to give his wife and daughters peace of mind. At one point, his wife pleads with him as he sits in a bathtub, bloodied and bruised, to leave his old life behind.

“You’ve been on the street, fighting The 100 for years. Let someone else do it. The girls need their father,” his wife says.

“Baby, I promise. No more” was Jefferson’s response.

For years, he kept his word. He left behind his life as a hero, in order to be there for his family and run the local school. Things were until the powerful 100 Gang rose up and overtook the city in his absence.

When they get a little too close to home, by trying to recruit his daughter to join, he decides to returns to his old life as a vigilante, known as Black Lightning. The trailer shows the stark contrast between Jefferson Pierce, respected school principal, and Black Lightning, the powerful vigilante hero who will do whatever it takes to keep those close to him safe.

“Is that your car?” Jefferson asked a guy assumed to be a criminal, who he’d suspended above it with his powers.

“It was nice” is all he said, before he slammed the guy into it.

The show is based on the comics written by Tony Isabella with Trevor Von Eeden. It will be directed by Salim Akil and Mara Brock Akil, according to Deadline. In addition to Cress Williams, who will play Jefferson Pierce, Chyna Anne McClain and Nafessa Williams have been brought on as his daughters, whose POV the story will be told from.

Chyna Anne McClain of Disney Channel fame will play Jennifer Pierce, Jefferson’s outspoken, outgoing, athletic daughter. Williams, known for her role on Code Black, will play the role of Anissa, Jennifer’s older sister, who balances her time between medical school and teaching part-time at her father’s school.

Judging by the trailer, Jefferson’s powers run in the family. At one point, Jennifer’s hands can be seen glowing bright purple in color.

Black Lightning will serve as the CW’s fifth superhero show, joining The Flash, Arrow, Supergirl, and Legends of Tomorrow, as well as Greg Berlanti’s 10th show he’s currently producing. Even though all of DC’s TV shows take place in the same universe, you shouldn’t expect Black Lightning to be a part of the CW’s gargantuan crossover events.

As recently published by the Inquisitr, there are currently no plans for Black Lightning to cross over with other shows in the Arrowverse, as its world does not exist within in it.

CW President Mark Pedowitz gave the following statement to the A.V. Club.

“We do not aim to do a five-way crossover,” he said. “Black Lightning at this time is not part of the Arrowverse. It is a separate situation.”

That said, this is fictional television. If the suits at the CW change their mind and really want Black Lightning to cross over, then they will. Simple as that.

Black Lightning is scheduled for a mid-season premiere on the CW.

Even though you’ll have to wait until 2018 to see the series in full, you can catch the Black Lightning trailer below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZpJeuXo2CY

What do you think about Black Lightning‘s new trailer? Are you excited for it to premiere next year? You can sound off in the comments section below.

[Featured Image by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images]

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