By RUSS BURLINGAME – December 12, 2020 10:05 am EST Comicbook.com
During DC FanDome earlier this year, the publisher released the first new comics from Milestone in years. The publishing imprint, launched in the ’90s by a number of Black comic book writers and artists, lasted only a short time before folding, with its characters largely absent from parent company DC’s publishing line since. the course of the 25 years or so since the end of Milestone, there were several efforts to revitalize the brand or bring some of the characters into DC’s shared universe, but all have been abortive and short-lived until very recently, with a new release, more scheduled, and news on a Static Shock movie.
During a recent interview in support of Safety, his new football drama for Disney+, filmmaker and comic book writer Reginald Hudlin told ComicBook.com that the new-look Milestone is going to be more than just one or two projects — and more than just Static Shock.
“I thought the guys were prescient when they named the company Milestone Media,” Hudlin told ComicBook.com. “Denys [Cowan] and I have both worked in multiple mediums, in television and so on. And we’re doing something that’s never been done before: we are creators who are experienced in comics and movies and television, and we’re shepherding the projects in multiple platforms simultaneously. So there’s gonna be comics, and there’s gonna be movies, and there’s gonna be TV shows. Yes, of course, everyone’s focused on Static – and they should be, because he’s a great character, but there’s a lot of great characters in the Milestone universe, both old ones and new ones we’re going to be creating. Over the course of the next couple of years, we’re going to be rolling out a lot of exciting projects coming out of Milestone.”
Milestone’s most recent revival was announced in 2015 at Comic Con International in San Diego. After several false starts and a numebr of regime changes on DC’s publishing side, they officially announced that the line would be returning with a one-shot, released digitally during FanDome, and more comics coming in the spring.
While he’s thrilled to have found Disney+ to work on Safety with, and he’s happy to be back in the geek space, Hudlin says it’s unlikely he will return to one of his most-loved TV projects: the animated Black Panther series, anytime soon.
“You know what? I did that before they were Disney, and they’ve got a grand vision and they’re doing their thing which is awesome,” Hudlin said. “I’m a big fan of what they do, and I can’t wait to do what I do.”
You’ve seen Remember the Titans, The Blind Side, Friday Night Lights, and now, you have to see Safety.
Even if you are not a sports fan, or more specifically, a football fan, everyone must see Disney+’s latest original film, Safety, which is based on a true story. The movie is the perfect balance of tears and laughs as it tells the true story of Clemson University football safety, Ray McElrathbey, who is a young man facing a series of challenging circumstances. With his dedication and perseverance, alongside his teammates and the Clemson community, he overcomes and triumphs these challenges and succeeds on the field while also having to suddenly raise and care for his 11-year-old brother, Fahmarr.
Credit:Disney
This film really portrays the story of inspiration and dedication, but it also shows how we need to be there for one another when your loved ones need you most, and that’s what the cast and crew really loved about this movie from the start.
During the media event for Safety, which Inside the Magic attended, some of the cast of the film, as well as the Director, Producer, and Ray McElrathbey himself, discussed how this film is more than just another football movie — It’s a movie about relationships, teammates and being there for one another when they need you most.
Credit: Disney
And the most important aspect — Sometimes your support system doesn’t have to come from your direct family. It can come from people such as neighbors, friends, roommates, teammates, etc. In fact, Corinne Foxx, who portrays Kayycee in the film, touched upon how those who really came through for Ray were those non-blood relatives. “And-and we-we’ve said this before that, um, family isn’t just blood relation, you know, and I think that’s what this movie is about.,” Foxx stated during the media event as she was discussing what really stood out to her about the film. “There are all these people in Ray’s life that are rooting for him that aren’t necessarily blood relation but are there for him in that way. And-and Kaycee kind of acts as a big sister to even, um, Fah and Daniel and everyone else is-is kind of just all working together to-to be there for Ray.”
In addition, Ray-Ray McElrathbey himself touched upon how, especially in today’s world, we all need to come together and support one another — Blood relatives or not. “Um, as far as teams are concerned in society, I guess we go back to the-the two teams that mean the most at this current time which is the Democratic and Republican Party,” McElrathbey said during the press event. “ Um, and the importance of it in society is that currently those teams needs to come together as the United States of America and do something for everyone in America.”
Credit : Disney
“So to-to bring the importance of team to society, uh, the world needs help. Um, most of all, America needs help. And I hope them-those two teams get together and do it for the team that we are together, which is America. And so in-in society, I think that’s the important part of sport that needs to be taken part, where working together is needed and necessary,” McElrathbey continued.
So again, this film is so much more than just another football movie — It’s a movie that showcases a real-life situation and how we all need to be there for one another, no matter what. We need to come together to support one another. Allow yourself to trust those around you. Allow your support system to help you when you need it. Have one another’s backs and be there for each other, especially in today’s world.
You can watch the official trailer for Safety here:
Former Clemson football player Ray Ray McElrathbey says making the new Disney movie “Safety” often felt like watching an instant replay of his life.
The film is based on the true story of McElrathbey bringing his 11-year-old brother, Fahmarr, to live with him on campus in 2006 after their mother, dealing with drug addiction, was unable to care for the youngster.
“There were days that felt like they would never end,” McElrathbey recalled to the Daily News.
“When things got overwhelming, I would question why I decided to do this, because it was a choice I made, as opposed to something I had to do. But I prayed about it, and there were plenty of times I cried in the dark and I hoped for days like this one, where I have the opportunity to talk about something as great as a Disney movie made in my likeness.”
The movie, which debuts on Disney+ this Friday, stars actor Jay Reeves as McElrathbey. The film shows how the student-athlete juggled taking care of his sibling while staying on top of his studies and playing safety for the Clemson Tigers.
Jay Reeves stars as Ray Ray McElrathbey in “Safety,” which debuts on Disney+ this Friday. (Photo Credit: Chuck Zlotnik/Chuck Zlotnik)
McElrathbey, now 34, was a frequent presence on the movie set during production, and also reviewed cuts of the film and connected with Reeves early on.
“I just told him to be happy,” McElrathbey said. “I was always optimistic, so as long as he kept an optimistic thought process while he was playing me, he should be OK.”
Before they started filming, Reeves, 26, repeatedly worked out with McElrathbey and got into shape for the role.
The actor, who played free safety and slot receiver during his days as a high school football standout in Los Angeles, was moved by the elements of love and family featured throughout McElrathbey’s story.
“Ray’s story came with a lot of meat and substance, so I didn’t really have to do much,” Reeves told The News. “The number one thing I had to do was be honest. If you’re honest, it will always work.”
Jay Reeves (left) as Ray Ray McElrathbey and Thaddeus J. Mixson II as Fahmarr in “Safety.” (Photo Credit: Chuck Zlotnik/Chuck Zlotnik)
Adding to the movie’s authenticity was the fact Reeves and his co-stars shot scenes on the actual Clemson campus in South Carolina and quickly got a feel for the community’s unrelenting passion for football.
The actors placed an emphasis on making the football and practice scenes feel realistic, including on a day when Reeves and his on-screen teammates ran full 50-yard conditioning drills.
“It’s that extra detail that got you to believe, ‘Oh man, these guys are really running (sprints),’ opposed to just acting,” Reeves said. “Those little details really, really made the football come to life in this movie.”
In addition to his support for the film behind the scenes, McElrathbey made a cameo in “Safety” by playing a member of the football team, Raheem, who was named after his father.
Ray Ray McElrathbey (right) made a cameo in “Safety,” which is based on his true story. Jay Reeves (left) played McElrathbey in the film. (Photo Credit: Chuck Zlotnik/Chuck Zlotnik)
McElrathbey had six tackles as a special teams player for Clemson during the 2006 season. He garnered widespread attention that year, with ESPN and “The Oprah Winfrey Show” highlighting his story. He even recalls fans of opposing teams voicing their support for him.
Nearly a decade and a half later, McElrathbey says it feels like “a miracle” to have his story turned into a movie.
“It doesn’t feel real,” McElrathbey said. “That’s where I’m at right now. I’m inside of a dream that doesn’t quite feel real yet.”
