James Mangold In Early Negotiations To Direct DC's 'Swamp Thing'

Oscar-nominated filmmaker James Mangold has worked on "Logan" based on Marvel Comics, and his next film is the fifth installment of the "Indiana Jones" series. It looks like he might be heading to DC Studios for another franchise next, and this one is fascinating. The Hollywood Reporter reveals that the filmmaker is in negotiations to collaborate with DC Studios' James Gunn and Peter Safran and helm "Swamp Thing."

According to THR, Mangold is in early talks to work on "Swamp Thing" as part of Gunn and Safran's upcoming slate of projects at DC Studios. Gunn and Safran recently unveiled their roster of early characters and projects for their DC Studios line, with the first phase being titled "Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters."

Of course, Mangold is still finishing up "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny," which arrives in theaters this June from Disney and Lucasfilm. If Mangold joins DC Studios, he'd be one of the first filmmakers to join Gunn and Safran's filmmaker roster.

THR notes that the Swamp Thing character is said to be a focal point of DC Studios' first chapter. While talks with Mangold are still said to be in the early stages, Mangold did tweet an image of the Swamp Thing character on his official verified account on Tuesday, January 31 (see below).

https://twitter.com/mang0ld/status/1620686622152077313

Gunn did later retweet the post. That doesn't necessarily mean anything, but it does suggest that there might be movement regarding the property.

Mangold is reportedly a massive fan of the "Swamp Thing" comics and the character, and he was the one who actually approached Gunn and Safran with his ideas. However, the film would still be a ways off. The director already has his next project lined up following "Dial of Destiny," which will be a Bob Dylan biopic he's working on for Paramount Pictures.

Swamp Thing debuted in a standalone story in DC's "House of Secrets" Issue No. 92 in 1971. The character was created by the late Len Wein and artist Bernie Wrightson. The character would later receive his own book. Legendary writer Alan Moore and artists John Totleben and Stephen R. Bissette worked on what is considered the seminal run on the character in the 1980s. It evolved the character from supernatural horror to deep elemental mythology and explored complex themes. The run would eventually give way to DC's mature readers imprint, Vertigo Comics.

"Swamp Thing" has been adapted into various forms of media before. Before he directed "Nightmare on Elm Street," director Wes Craven made the 1982 live-action "Swamp Thing" movie. It later spawned a sequel and a syndicated television series that ran from 1990 to 1993 and had 72 episodes. There was even a short-lived FOX Kids animated series in 1991.

"Swamp Thing" later returned in a darker more serious television show that streamed on the now-defunct DC Universe streaming platform in 2019. However, it only lasted for one season and 10 episodes. The series was written and produced by Gary Dauberman and Mark Verheiden.

Gunn and Safran's "Swamp Thing" vision for the character involves exploring "the dark origins" of the character, which is described as a "horrific film."

Mangold as a filmmaker is no stranger to bringing dark, serious, and intense subject matter and thematic material the comic book superhero genre, such as with "Logan." The director received an Oscar nomination for his work on the film's script he co-wrote with Scott Frank and Michael Green.

Mangold's next film, "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny," hits theaters on June 30.