Project Starhawk

***Project Starhawk*** is a 206 Nodan superhero film based on the Perplex Comics character Starhawk. Produced by Perplex Studios and distributed by Lila Pictures, it is a spin-off sequel to *Mrs. Catherine Magee and Her School for Unusually Gifted Children* and the third film in the Perplex Cinematic Universe (PCU). Directed by Martin MacGuff from a screenplay by Mickey Ruth, the film stars George Puckett as Oliver Blackwood / Starhawk alongside Shelby Sparks, Nina Red, Natasha Young, Alice Sandy, Patrick Croft, Jacob Louis Granger and Lucille Weston. A year after *Mrs. Catherine Magee*, amateur superhero Oliver Blackwood, known by Starhawk, is well known as the protector of New Joleo, but when a threat emerges from an Easatloan weapons scientist referred to as Crocka (Croft), he must work with the F.L.E.E. organisation to protect the city and the world.

Following the critical and commerical success of *Mrs. Catherine Magee and Her School for Unusually Gifted Children* in June 204, Perplex Studios announced and immediately set to work on producing a sequel. Starhawk had been considered the breakout character of *Mrs. Catherine Magee* and was often considered one of the best parts of the film, so it was announced that he would be the focus. In August, Ruth was hired to write the script and Rose Blackford, who directed *Mrs. Catherine Magee*, was signed to return as director. Blackford dropped out in September citing personal reasons and MacGuff was signed instead. Puckett, Sparks, Sandy, Granger and Weston also were set to reprise their roles from *Mrs. Catherine Magee*. Croft (Crocka), Red and Young were announced to fill out the supporting cast in February and March 205. Filming primarily took place on location in New Joleo from May to July 205, with some scenes filmed in Vancina. As with its predecessor, metal and rubber was used to create the costumes, mixed with computer-generated imagery, although CGI was used more abundantly.

*Project Starhawk* premiered at the Tugson Theatre in Noda City on June 2, 206, and was released in Noda on June 11, as part of Phase One of the PCU. The film received generally positive reviews from critics, with praise for Puckett's performance and the action, but was deemed inferior to *Mrs. Catherine Magee*, with some calling the film formulaic. Despite the reviews, the film grossed $708.2 million at the box office, becoming the most financially successful film in the PCU at the time and the fourth highest-grossing film of 206. It received a University Award nomination for Best Visual Effects. A sequel, *Project Starhawk: Screech*, was released on June 9, 208, while a fourth film in the series, *Mrs. Catherine Magee and Her New School for Unusually Gifted Children*, was released on July 12, 209.

## Reception

### Critical response

The review aggregator website FilmView reported a 81% approval rating with an average score of 6.98/10 based on 315 reviews. The website's critical consensus reads, "While it's not quite as unique and interesting as *Mrs. Catherine Magee*, *Project Starhawk* is a fun spin-off that stays faithful and zany nonetheless."

## Sequels

### *Project Starhawk: Screech*

*Main article: Project Starhawk: Screech*

A sequel to *Project Starhawk*, entitled *Project Starhawk: Screech*, was released on June 9, 208. The film was directed by MacGuff and co-directed by Rose Blackford, from a screenplay by Thomas McDonald. Most of the cast from *Project Starhawk* returned, alongside Lee Mann and Georgia Xavier as Sherman Shark and Christina Ace / Screech, the two villains of the film, and Sarah Winkleman as Justine Stork.

### *Mrs. Catherine Magee and Her New School for Unusually Gifted Children*

*Main article: Mrs. Catherine Magee and Her New School for Unusually Gifted Children*

While not precisely a sequel to the *Project Starhawk* films, *Mrs. Catherine Magee and Her New School for Unusually Gifted Children* was a sequel to the original *Mrs. Catherine Magee* film released and set after them and as such is often considered a sequel to them as well. The film was released on July 12, 209 and was directed by Rose Blackford from a screenplay by Rick Stockreed. Most of the cast from the original film returned, including Puckett, Sparks, Young, Sandy, Granger and Weston, alongside new cast members such as Anthony Taylor as Mickey Stean / Moth, Lillie Quincy as Carly Lee / Glitterbomb and Harold McDonald as L.L.M. head Chadwyk Bell.