TheDCU’s horror-inspired movieSwamp Thingis in its early stages of development at DC Studios. Created in 1971 for DC Comics’ House of Secrets #92,the human-turned-monster Swamp Thinghas become a staple of DC’s horror-inspired gallery of characters. There are various human characters who have transformed into Swamp Thing - all connected to the elemental force called “the Green” - but the most famous one is the scientist Alex Holland, who quite literally becomes one with nature when he submerges himself in the Louisiana swamplands after an explosion left him on the brink of death.
Despite not being as famous as most DC characters who have starred in movies and TV shows,Swamp Thing has already been played by various live-action actors, starting with 1982’sSwamp Thing, directed byA Nightmare on Elm Streetdirector Wes Craven. Swamp Thing’s 1982 film adaptation was received positively enough to spawn a sequel, Jim Wynorski’s more comedic and lightheartedThe Return of the Swamp Thing. The character also starred in the 1990 three-seasonSwamp ThingTV show broadcasted on ABC, and in the 2019 10-episodeSwamp Thingstreaming series released on the short-lived DC Universe video-on-demand service.
Swamp Thing Recent News
James Mangold’s Vision For The Film
Since the movie was first announced in James Gunn’s initial reveal of the DCU slate,Swamp Thinghas gotten very few updates, with the most notable one being thatJames Mangold will be directing the film. With Mangold focusing on promoting his newest film,A Complete Unknown,he spoke toMovieweb, who asked him aboutSwamp Thing. He talked about the vision for the film and how it might fit within the larger DCU, stating:
“With other kinds of IP, it gets to a religious level. While I’m sure DC views Swamp Thing as a franchise, I would be viewing it as a very simple, clean, Gothic horror movie about this man/monster… Just doing my own thing with this, just a standalone.”
Swamp Thing Movie Confirmed
Swamp Thing Is Part Of James Gunn’s DC Universe Slate
Swamp Thingis part ofthe DCU’s first chapter titled “Gods and Monsters”, having been announced by James Gunn himself in January 2023 alongside other projects such asThe Authority,Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow,Lanterns, andParadise Lost. In his announcement, James Gunn mentioned that although Swamp Thing is“tonally outside of the rest of the DCU, it will still feed into the rest of the stories.“Swamp Thingappears to be the darkest installment in the DCU’s slate, and its premise and protagonist fit the second half of the title"Gods and Monsters"quite well.
Swamp Thing Movie Director Confirmed
Logan Director James Mangold Is Actively Working On Swamp Thing
On February 1st, 2023, just one day after James Gunn’s DCU announcement, it was reported that James Mangold would directSwamp Thing. Soon after,James Mangold confirmed that he would helm the DCU’sSwamp Thing, joining James Gunn andThe Brave and the Bold’s Andy Muschietti in the blooming list of DCU directors.
James Mangold’s filmography includes the Johnny Cash biopicWalk the Lineand the modern western3:10 to Yuma, as well asThe Wolverineand the highly acclaimedLogan. Speaking toVarietyin June 2023,James Mangold revealed that he’s approachingSwamp Thingas a standalone movierather than a franchise installment.
Swamp Thing Movie Production Status
Swamp Thing May Still Be In Early Writing Stages
Little information aboutSwamp Thing’s production has been made public. However, director James Mangold has discussed his ideas for the script, which suggests thatSwamp Thingis still in the writing stage. In an episode of theHappy Sad Confused Podcastin June 2023,James Mangold describedSwamp Thingas"a kind of horror noir film"that focuses on the titular monster’s attempts to recover the memories of his former self.
Swamp Thing Story Details
Swamp Thing May Be An Origin Story Centered Around Alec Holland
Little is known aboutSwamp Thing’s plot beyond James Mangold’s comments about his approach to the character’s tone and inner conflict. However, the fact that Mangold is focusing on the character’s amnesia and search for identity suggests thatSwamp Thingwill be an origin story.
In the source material, Swamp Thing believes he merely transformed into a monster, but in reality, Alec Holland actually died and the swamp itself absorbed his memories and gained an anthropomorphic body. Instead of a traditional “hero vs villain” story, James Mangold’sSwamp Thingmight center around the philosophical dilemma that such an origin story entails.
How Swamp Thing Connects To The DCU
Standalone Film That Is Still In The Main DCU
Since it was first announced,Swamp Thingwas always planned to be part of the DCU, and that doesn’t seem to change, given the character could be an important window into the “Dark” side of the universe. One of the main selling points of the film so far is how its tone will differ from other projects in the DCU, with the horror aspects of the project seeming to be a big focus.
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With director James Mangold talking about the standalone nature ofSwamp Thing, it might throw people off about how much it will connect with the DCU or if it will even be part of the main universe. Gunn has repeatedly said that projects in the DCU won’t necessarily set up other projects down the line, with the main focus of each movie or show being about making it the best it can be.Swamp Thingwill obviously be part of the larger universe, but should stand on its own.
