Back in May, Sony Pictures confirmed that Iron Man 3 director Shane Black is writing and directing the comic book adaptation Doc Savage. The project is based on the comic books and novels from the 1930s, centering on the title character who was trained from birth to be superhuman, with a photographic memory, incredible strength and superior intelligence.

During a recent interview, the director broke down his approach to the character, revealing that it will center on how his lifelong training has scarred him.

"Obviously in the books there's an element of 'goody goody' that we like. Doc Savage was the basis essentially for Superman because his name is Clark, he has a fortress of solitude, and 'Oh Superman has the same thing, that's odd.' But that kind of perfect hero who never makes mistakes makes him great to a point and that type of adventure and the pulp it represents has been so imitated. Raiders of the Lost Ark is essentially a child of Doc Savage. But we needed something more. So we kept it in the 30s, we beefed up, I think, the sort of rationale behind what it would take to be a perfect person and to be trained as such from childhood and how that would scar someone. And what it would take to be a parent who is capable of inflicting that on your kid. But beyond that we've also tried to be true to the series, give him the helpers. It's also reinvigorating it, but introducing a whole new brand of people to this is a challenge. It's been around, it's been 75 years."

When asked if actors such as Vin Diesel or Dwayne Johnson would be right for the part, the filmmaker revealed that the actor who plays Doc Savage has to be in perfect physical condition.

"Here's the problem: They kind of got to be tall. He's the perfect physical specimen and when people look at him, they're over-awed by the sort of symmetry and perfection that he exudes. I don't know that you could use like James McAvoy as Doc Savage. You couldn't do it. He's a fine actor, but we need someone big. Back in the day [Arnold Schwarzenegger] was talked about to play Doc Savage. I don't know who we'd get."

The director was also asked about his thoughts on Chris Hemsworth taking on the role.

"That's not a bad idea. What's he doing?"

Shane Black is directing Doc Savage from a screenplay he co-wrote with Anthony Bagarozzi and Charles Mondry. No production schedule has been revealed yet.