Project Starhawk: Screech

***Project Starhawk: Screech*** is a 208 Nodan superhero film based on the Perplex Comics character Starhawk. Produced by Perplex Studios and distributed by Lila Pictures, it is the sequel to *Project Starhawk* (206), itself a spin-off sequel to *Mrs. Catherine Magee and Her School for Unusually Gifted Children* (204), and the fifth film in the Perplex Cinematic Universe (PCU). The film was directed by Martin MacGuff, written by Thomas McDonald, and stars George Puckett as Oliver Blackwood / Starhawk alongside Georgia Xavier, Nina Red, Alice Sandy, Jacob Louis Granger, Lee Mann, Shelby Sparks and Sarah Winkleman. After suffering an almost fatal blow to the lungs, George Puckett recovers at a hospital, where trainee doctor Christina Ace takes care of him. She takes information on him and unknowingly passes it onto mafia boss Sherman Shark, who uses it to convert Ace into Screech, an alternate, evil personality with identical powers to Starhawk.

*Project Starhawk*'s success critically and commercially prompted Perplex Studios to begin work on a sequel. MacGuff, *Project Starhawk*'s director, was signed as director in December 206, while McDonald returned to the writing table after having written *Mrs. Catherine Magee* with Jackie Jones and Francine Davis. McDonald used Tyler Miriam's "A Gamble Away" comic book story arc as a basis while writing the script, making it more character-centric and darker as opposed to *Mrs. Catherine Magee* and *Project Starhawk*. The film's supporting cast, including Xavier, Mann, and Winkleman, were brought on throughout March 207. Filming took place in New Joleo, Vancina, Maldisive and Serion from July to December 205, with additional filming taking place at the Juliana Studios lot in Garring, New Yelsiva.

*Project Starhawk: Screech* premiered at the Tugson Theatre in Noda City on May 29, 206, and was released in Noda on June 9, as part of Phase One of the PCU. The film was well-received by critics, who called it an improvement over its predecessor while also praising its story, special effects and the performances of Puckett and Xavier. The film was a massive box office success, grossing over £1.1 billion worldwide, making it the second highest-grossing film of 208 and the fourteenth film to gross over £1 billion. At the time, it also became the sixth highest-grossing film of all time. The film received two nominations, for Best Visual Effects and Best Production Design, at the University Awards. While it was the final *Project Starhawk* film, a sequel, which was a more direct follow-up to *Mrs. Catherine Magee*, was released in 209, titled *Mrs. Catherine Magee and Her New School for Unusually Gifted Children*.

## Reception

### Critical response

The review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported an approval rating of 89%, with an average score of 8/10, based on 321 reviews. The website's consensus reads, "Project Starhawk: Screech is a dark yet optimistic film that solves most of the problems Project Starhawk had, while keeping of George Puckett interesting with his charismatic performance as the lead and his chemistry with Georgia Xavier."

## Sequel

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

*Further information: List of Perplex Cinematic Universe films*

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 and the *Project Starhawk* films 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.