Daredevil: Born Again Star Wants to Play Swamp Thing in the DCU

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Director James Mangold is brainstorming ideas for his upcoming “Swamp Thing” movie, which will soon be part of James Gunn’s new DC Studios project. Although Mangold previously showed some skepticism about the project in January, his enthusiasm may have grown following Vincent D’Onofrio’s interest in portraying Swamp Thing on screen. In response to fan questions on social media platform X (previously known as Twitter), D’Onofrio openly expressed his desire to play the DC Universe’s swamp-dwelling protector, potentially encouraging Mangold to move forward with more energy.

Mangold emphasized that he’s simultaneously working on his forthcoming “Star Wars” movie and “Swamp Thing”, despite Gunn praising Mangold’s pitch for the DCU as one of the earliest, with Mangold expressing interest in writing and directing his cherished project. Now, D’Onofrio has expressed interest in taking on another well-known comic character following his impressive portrayal of Wilson Fisk, The Kingpin, in “Daredevil: Born Again“.

What Is the DCU Swamp Thing Movie?

The Swamp Thing movie has been scheduled for Gunn’s DC Universe, specifically the Chapter One: Gods and Monsters segment, as confirmed during a DCU presentation led by James Gunn in January 2023.

Speaking from my perspective, I’d like to highlight one last movie we’re keen on discussing: “Swamp Thing.” This mention is crucial because it’s essential to underline that while these tales are interconnected, they don’t all share the same tonal palette. Each creative team infuses their unique style into these films, making each viewing experience a delightful exploration of how these tonally diverse works will collide in the future. “Swamp Thing” promises to delve into the shadowy roots of its titular character.

Later on, Mangold explained his stance regarding the project, revealing fresh insights during a chat this year, specifically for the Oscar-contending Bob Dylan movie titled A Complete Unknown.

Regarding Swamp Thing at DC Comics, Mangold stated that the question becomes one of discovering an innovative approach to tell a unique story. He’s not particularly drawn to being limited by extensive lore at this stage, as it can be nearly impossible to satisfy everyone. With Bob Dylan, there is familiarity, but opportunities for fresh interpretations exist. When it comes to other intellectual properties, they can reach a level of reverence that’s almost religious.

Mangold has mentioned that his take on Swamp Thing will have a feel similar to a Gothic horror story, influenced by the director’s ambition to make a film adaptation of Frankenstein. He further likened it to RoboCop. In simpler terms, he is suggesting that the upcoming Swamp Thing movie will have elements reminiscent of Gothic horror stories and may resemble both Frankenstein and RoboCop in some ways.

For a long time, I’ve been drawn to adapting Frankenstein as a theme. However, I feel that the exclamation ‘It’s alive!’ has been overused. Swamp Thing, on the other hand, strikes me as an intriguing take on a Frankenstein story, much like the original RoboCop film from my childhood. This narrative about a character who regains consciousness to discover he’s been transformed into a machine resonates with me deeply, as does the case of Logan.

In his career, Mangold has taken on three superhero projects, with “Swamp Thing” being his latest endeavor. Previously, he was involved in “The Wolverine” and its sequel, “Logan”. Additionally, he directed the most recent installment of the “Indiana Jones” series, titled “The Dial of Destiny”, for Disney.

Swamp Thing and his crew aren’t newcomers to the movie theater scene either. Dick Durock starred as the main character in “Swamp Thing” back in 1982, followed by “Return of Swamp Thing” in 1989. Later on, he played the role for three seasons and a total of 72 episodes on USA Network.

For enthusiasts of Swamp Thing, not having a quick return on the big screen might actually be a blessing in disguise, as they now have ample content to keep them entertained. Among this content is the entire 2019 series from James Wan on CW, which may fill the gap despite not receiving a second season. Critics and fans alike appreciated DC’s Swamp Thing for its faithful adaptation of the character’s origins.

At the moment, Vincent D’Onofrio is appearing in the series “Daredevil: Born Again,” which is available on Disney+. You can also catch him in various other streaming shows such as “Hawkeye” and “Echo.” Following its Oscar run, James Mangold’s film about Bob Dylan, titled “A Complete Unknown,” has been released for home viewing, allowing him to focus on this project and his upcoming Star Wars movie. As for the DCU, they are currently preparing for their adaptations and welcoming Superman’s arrival this summer.

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2025-04-11 19:41