It’s happening. DirecterJames Mangoldhas confirmed that he will be writingSwamp Thingfor DC, under the watchful eye ofJames GunnandPeter Safran.Speaking with Collider’sSteve Weintraubat Star Wars Celebration Europe in London, following the announcement of his jump to hyperspace in theStar Warsuniverse - Mangold will direct a film set around the Dawn of the Jedi for Lucasfilm and Disney - the director was asked about his long-rumored foray back into comics,having been linked for some time with directingSwamp Thing.
When asked by Weintraub about his links withSwamp Thing, and whether any potential involvement in that would come beforeStar Wars, he said he was writing both projects, before elaborating.
“The truth is, I’m writing both right now, and who knows what’s going to happen and what’s gonna blossom first or second? So there’s your thing, I’m doingSwamp Thing, there’s your scoop. It’s not a rumour, it’s happening. I put it online.”
Swamp Thingwasannounced and detailedby Gunn and Safran in late January, as they attempted to show off how tonally diverse they intended to make their own version fo the DC universe would be.The film is set to perform an exploration on “the dark origins"of the eponymous character, once known as the brilliant scientist Alex Olsen, who was severely burned by chemicals and merged with the very swamp he studied after diving into the waters to save himself. The film is expected to lean into the supernatural horror elements of the fan-favorite character.
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What Is the History BehindSwamp Thing?
Although he debuted in 1971 in a standalone story,Swamp Thingwouldn’t reach the peak of his popularity until the 1980s. Created by authorAlan Mooreand illustratorBernie Wrightson, who Mangold cited as serious inspiration for his version of the creature, the team along withJohn TotlebenandStephen R. Bissettechanged the dynamic and sent it up another gear. The character shifted towards much more mature and complex themes in comics, while introducing iconic characters along the way - including John Constantine, one of Swamp Thing’s closest and longest-running allies, and Abigail Arcane, his love interest who sees the man within the muck.Swamp Thinghimself has remained a fan-favorite ever since, appearing throughout DC Comics to this day.
Before taking onStar WarsandSwamp Thing, Mangold has the release of his upcomingIndiana Jones and the Dial of Destinydue for release this summer. Stay tuned here at Collider for more on theSwamp Thingmovie.
