‘Swamp Thing:’ James Mangold in Talks to Direct for DC Studios

James Mangold brings to life perhaps one of DC’s creepiest heroes. The “Logan” and “Ford vs. Ferrari” director is said to be in early talks for “Swamp Thing,” an upcoming film in DC Studio’s first film chapter under James Gunn and Peter Safran. THR first reported on Wednesday.

It is unclear whether Mangold would write and direct the film, or his exact involvement. However, Mangold appeared to confirm his interest on Twitter via a panel from the character’s comic book series drawn by co-creator Bernie Wrightson. The post was also retweeted by Gunn.

pic.twitter.com/WCDuFtucT6

— Mangold (@mang0ld) February 1, 2023

Representatives of Warner Bros. Discovery. Sources told IndieWire that Mangold, a longtime “Swamp Thing” fan, approached DC’s new regime with the idea for the film and would direct and write if the project were to move forward.

A release date for “Swamp Thing” has not been released, but the film was one of 10 projects announced Tuesday, with Gunn and Safran unveiling their plans for DC Studios. This line of projects, which includes the Batman film “The Brave and the Bold” and the film based on the Wildstorm comic book series “The Authority,” is titled “Gods and Monsters” and is officially in line with “Superman: Legacy.” begins. A film written by Gunn, tentatively scheduled for release on July 11, 2025.

At a press conference on Monday, Gunn and Safran called “Swamp Thing” the darkest film on the announced list, calling it a horror film that will continue to be incorporated into other DC projects.

The Swamp Thing character was first created by writers Len Wein and Wrightson in 1971 for the horror anthology comic “House of Secrets”. The character proved popular enough to receive a self-titled series the following year, which introduced the most famous version of the pseudonym, Alec Holland, a scientist who dies in a Louisiana swamp and his mind and consciousness are transferred to the plant world. bayou, who transforms into a green monster known as the Swamp Thing. The character has had a number of celebrated appearances in the comics, most famously by ‘Watchmen’ writer Alan Moore in the 1980s. Drawn by John Totleben and Stephen R. Bissette, Moore’s film received critical acclaim, introduced a new mystical bent to the character, and dealt with complex themes of identity and life.

The character has since been adapted several times for film and television, starting with two films starring Dick Durock as Swamp Thing, released in 1982 and 1989, the first directed by Wes Craven. Durock reprized the role in a three-season USA Network series in 1990, and in 2019, a one-season show starring the character premiered on the DC Universe streamer, with Andy Bean and Derek Mears playing the dual roles of Holland and Swamp Thing. The character has also appeared in various animated series and films, including ‘Justice League’, ‘Harley Quinn’ and the direct-to-video film ‘Justice League Dark’.

Next up for Mangold is “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” coming out in June, with Harrison Ford reprising his iconic role. He is also attached to direct a Bob Dylan biopic for Searchlight, starring Timothée Chalamet, which will likely be his first project. Mangold is also known for “The Wolverine,” “3:10 to Yuma,” “Walk the Line” and “Girl, Interrupted.”

He is repped by WME, Entertainment 360 and Sloane Offer.

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