Spawn is a 1997 American superhero film based on the Image Comics character of the same name. Directed by visual effects supervisor Mark A.Z. Dippé in his directorial debut, the film stars Michael Jai White in the title role, alongside John Leguizamo, Martin Sheen, Theresa Randle, D. B. Sweeney, and Nicol Williamson in his final film role. The film depicts the origin story of the title character, a murdered US Marine who is resurrected as the reluctant leader of Hell's army. Spawn is one of the first films to feature an African-American actor portraying a major comic book superhero.