EDITORIAL: THE SHAPE OF WATER's Success Proves That The World Is Ready For A New SWAMP THING Movie

EDITORIAL: THE SHAPE OF WATER's Success Proves That The World Is Ready For A New SWAMP THING Movie

Guillermo del Toro's Oscar-nominated horror/romance The Shape of Water is one of the year’s best films. Does its massive success mean comic book fans are we’re craving a return to the swamps, perhaps?

Editorial Opinion
By drewXdeficit - Feb 02, 2018 05:02 AM EST
Filed Under: Swamp Thing
Have you seen The Shape of Water yet? If you haven’t, you probably need to. After all, it’s a bit of a return to form for Guillermo Del Toro, one of the most interesting directors in film today. The film, a contender for Best Picture at this year’s Oscars, depicts the story of a mute woman, played wonderfully by Sally Hawkins, who falls in love with a humanoid sea creature (much like The Creature From the Black Lagoon’s Gill-Man) captured by scientists in 1962. It combines elements of both horror and romance and sets the story over an early Cold War backdrop to heighten the tension. It is a beautiful film, and it deserves every bit of praise it is garnering.

And, as a huge Alan Moore fan, I couldn’t help but note the tonal similarities to the acclaimed writer’s legendary run on SWAMP THING.

SWAMP THING isn't exactly a stranger to adaptations. Currently, the character can be seen in animated form on Justice League Action. Previously, Swamp Thing has had two feature films, a solo children's animated series, and a live-action TV series in the 90s. While none of these were particularly successful, the first film is notable in that it prompted DC Comics to relaunch the SWAMP THING series. The title ran for 19 issues before Alan Moore was asked to make his American comics debut in SWAMP THING volume 2, issue #20. 

If you haven’t read Moore’s Saga of the Swamp Thing yet, you should probably do that, too. After all, it’s one of the most celebrated comic stories by arguably the most influential writer in modern comics. It garnered countless award nominations and wins during its publication from 1984 to 1987, and it blended science fiction, horror, superheroes and romance into one masterfully-executed story. It is essential reading for any fan of modern comics.

After seeing and absolutely loving The Shape of Water, I think it's time we see Alan Moore's SWAMP THING on the big screen.

Moore’s tenure on Swamp Thing began with a revamping of the character. In all previous incarnations, the Swamp Thing was always understood to be Alec Holland, experimental botanist whose death in the Louisiana swamps resulted in his resurrection as a plant-human hybrid. Moore, however, completely altered the origin, establishing that Holland did, in fact, die in the swamps, and his decomposed body was absorbed by the plant life, taking his memories and emotions with it. The plant life regrouped into its best understanding of a human, and Swamp Thing emerged. Rather than a human who looks like a plant, Moore turned Alec Holland into a plant that thinks it’s a human.



Among one of the cornerstones of the Swamp Thing character has always been a romance with Abby Arcane, the white-haired clinician whose emerging psychic abilities allow her to empathize with the plant creature. Moore, along with artists Stephen Bissette and John Totleben, explored this romance in profound and visually breathtaking sequences throughout the course of the comic. Among the most remarkable issues features a double-page spread detailing how the two would make love, involving Arcane eating of fruits grown from Swamp Thing’s body which gave her feelings of euphoria. In short, it’s weird, but it’s gorgeous to look at and poetic in its writing—much like The Shape of Water. Similar to how Eliza (Hawkins) falls for the Amphibian Man (Doug Jones) in the film, Moore’s SWAMP THING details love’s ability to transcend beyond traditional convention despite the two subjects’ apparent incompatibility.



As for actually bringing SWAMP THING back to the big screen, there are any number of filmmakers who could handle the job. Without naming anyone specifically, it would have to be someone unafraid to be off-beat, to highlight and celebrate the weirdness of the story. It would have to be someone who knows how to make that which isn’t human truly feel human, preferably through the use of practical effects. Much like Abby, we as an audience need to be able to connect with Swamp Thing, and I don’t personally believe that can be effectively done through the heavy use of CGI. Perhaps someone with a background in horror would be the best option; SWAMP THING, in the end, is a horror book, though the horror is often less supernatural and more realistic, such as threats of nuclear war, pollution and even the remnants of slavery in the American South. I’m not necessarily saying the Del Toro should direct it, but I wouldn’t be upset in the slightest if I found out Del Toro signed on for a new SWAMP THING.

What I am saying, however, is that it can be done, and The Shape of Water indicates that maybe, just maybe, I’m not the only one who really wants to see it.

What do you think, Swamp Thing fans? Is it time to see Big Green back on the big screen? Give your opinions below!
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ODanil
ODanil - 2/2/2018, 5:06 AM
I hear there's fish sex in that.
PicolasCage
PicolasCage - 2/2/2018, 5:13 AM
@ODanil - something something Moby Dick... something something sperm whale.... something something BBW
LEVITIKUZ
LEVITIKUZ - 2/2/2018, 5:35 AM
@ODanil - There is. The fishman & Elisa flood the bathroom so it’s filled with water & have sex.

And this film has the most nominations at the Oscars this year

Del Toro is the greatest director ever
AwesomePromoz
AwesomePromoz - 2/2/2018, 8:10 AM
Why does one successful movie mean that we want another identical movie? That logic is what makes shit movies.
TheLight
TheLight - 2/2/2018, 5:13 AM
It's been long overdue for a Swamp Thing movie or at least a new tv series. I know how slighty dated and at times campy the 90s tv series was, but they had some dark matters I want to see in his potential return today.

LEVITIKUZ
LEVITIKUZ - 2/2/2018, 5:28 AM
A Swamp Thing film can only work if Del Toro is involved.

Nobody loves monsters as much as him & could do Justice to Swamp Thing like Del Toro can

Fun fact: when Nolan was working on Man of Steel, the first director he went after was Del Toro. We were so close to having the greatest Superman film ever
TheRealTomServo
TheRealTomServo - 2/2/2018, 6:20 AM
@LEVITIKUZ - I don’t know if del Toro is right for Supes, honestly.

I kinda want Dave McCary for MOS2 after seeing how well he can balance classical optimism with serious subject matter in Brigsby Bear. David Lowery is another good alternate choice.

Neither is a better director than del Toro on the whole (though A Ghost Story is better than a good chunk of del Toro’s films), but they’d fit Supes a lot better than he would.
LEVITIKUZ
LEVITIKUZ - 2/2/2018, 6:55 AM
@TheRealTomServo - I disagree. Mostly because Hellboy is similar to Superman

Hero from another world, came to this world as a child, raised by a good man, hero feels different from society, hero is an all around good person who wants to help people & do the right thing. Hero fights monsters (Superman also aliens & robots). Hero loves human girl.

There are differences in approach but the core themes are similar for Superman & Hellboy.
KiddSoul
KiddSoul - 2/2/2018, 12:16 PM
@LEVITIKUZ - A Del Toro Superman movie would be full blown classic Superman. But the villains of his Superman film would be epic...Bizarro, Metallo, Parasite, Brainiac. It would've been crazy good.
TheRealTomServo
TheRealTomServo - 2/2/2018, 1:07 PM
@LEVITIKUZ - But the themes being similar doesn't mean the tone or stylistic approach should be.
WYLEEJAY
WYLEEJAY - 2/3/2018, 9:50 AM
@KiddSoul - I can't even imagine Del Toro Superman villains. Would be so awesome!
IronGenesis
IronGenesis - 2/2/2018, 5:34 AM
Hmmm...I don’t know if the suits are jumping to green light a serious film like TSOW in the guise of a Swamp Thing Movie.

I totally agree we are ready.

But Swamp Thing toys and lunch boxes go right out the window if ST is ever as for real as TSOW.
Rufio
Rufio - 2/2/2018, 5:34 AM
Title of this piece: no, the success of the shape of water shows the world is ready for good films. Which it always has been.

If anything the success highlights how Universal have [frick]ed up their approach to the dark universe
noahthegrand
noahthegrand - 2/2/2018, 5:45 AM
I 100 % agree.


Swamp Thing and Abby Holland have s great relationship in the comics and I want to see it.



noahthegrand
noahthegrand - 2/2/2018, 5:48 AM
noahthegrand
noahthegrand - 2/2/2018, 6:06 AM
Pretty much every Swamp Thing story Alan Moore has ever wrote has been amazing. The one with Arcane possessing Matthew Cable, Nuke Face, the one with Aqua Vampires, the patriarchy created werewolf, the plantation story where the actors playing slaves and plantation owners start to become real slaves and plantation owners, the swamp thing sex issue, when Abby is photographed with swamp thing, her life is ruined, and she's put on trial for beastiality, when Swamp thing takes over Gotham....
CloydeSyfox
CloydeSyfox - 2/2/2018, 6:06 AM
Artist John Totleben.
drewXdeficit
drewXdeficit - 2/2/2018, 8:53 AM
@CloydeSyfox - I added Totleben’s name in. Since Bissette did the majority of the art, I forgot to include him. Fixed it. Thanks.
noahthegrand
noahthegrand - 2/2/2018, 6:15 AM
Well they have a design.


drewXdeficit
drewXdeficit - 2/2/2018, 8:54 AM
@noahthegrand - I remember when this came out, and I was so hyped. Even though the project was basically dead, it still made me hopeful for something in the future.
chewie
chewie - 2/2/2018, 6:15 AM
Shape of Water any good?
LEVITIKUZ
LEVITIKUZ - 2/2/2018, 6:16 AM
@chewie - it was the best film of 2017 IMO
chewie
chewie - 2/2/2018, 6:16 AM
@chewie - love sci fi and horror. Romance is ok as long as it’s not the central theme
chewie
chewie - 2/2/2018, 6:17 AM
@LEVITIKUZ - as a long time memeber of CBM, seeing your posts and agreeing with most, ill check it out based on your comment. Take it sleazy, Levi.
TheRealTomServo
TheRealTomServo - 2/2/2018, 6:21 AM
@chewie - Pretty good. In the bottom of my top ten, but still, in a year so good for indie cinema, that’s goddamn impressive. Not to mention I’ve seen 30+ films this year.
LEVITIKUZ
LEVITIKUZ - 2/2/2018, 6:23 AM
@chewie - Romance is ok as long as it’s not the central theme

I mean there’s a scene where the fish man & Woman [frick]

It’s still a great film
chewie
chewie - 2/2/2018, 6:27 AM
@LEVITIKUZ - we’ll now I’m sold. Always up for a inter species sexy time haha.
chewie
chewie - 2/2/2018, 6:28 AM
@TheRealTomServo - damn, you must be rich! Hahaha
chewie
chewie - 2/2/2018, 6:29 AM
@chewie - well *
TheRealTomServo
TheRealTomServo - 2/2/2018, 6:29 AM
@chewie - Living in NY + using sites for rips when I miss them in theaters = a lot of movies.
TheBeard
TheBeard - 2/2/2018, 6:40 AM
@LEVITIKUZ -
chewie
chewie - 2/2/2018, 9:18 AM
@TheRealTomServo - indeed!
BurningBeard
BurningBeard - 2/2/2018, 5:03 PM
@chewie - It was great. Del Toro usually kills it
chewie
chewie - 2/3/2018, 2:04 PM
@BurningBeard - to be honest, besides hellboy, I haven’t seen any other of his movies😬 recommend any besides shape?
LEVITIKUZ
LEVITIKUZ - 2/4/2018, 4:51 AM
@chewie - Pan’s Labyrinth is his most beautiful film.

Watch that ASAP. A masterpiece
CaptainDC
CaptainDC - 2/2/2018, 6:26 AM
While you make a convincing argument and state out some solid facts, I'd have to argue that this does the opposite. With the success of such a similar film the audience will immediately being making comparisons from the start. Being that this film is an an Oscar nominated film, it's highly unlikely DC would be able to make a completely new version of Swamp Thing that tops the Shape of Water. Releasing such a similar film in a small window of time will ultimately limit box office sales, as the general audience will just flock to the prior film. Overall it would be difficult for the film to truly stand out. And even if the studio is able to get some things right, it'll most likely resonate too much with Del Toro's film, and skew the audience to think more negatively.

It's one thing to use a character like Batman who has so many different incarnations, and is beloved by fans for exploring different story lines, regardless if they are connected or not (i.e. Dark Knight and BVS). In short a sci-fi esque character like Swamp Thing does not have the credibility of the majority film audience for it to be accepted as a completely different take than Shape of Water.
BloodyBed
BloodyBed - 2/2/2018, 6:38 AM
@CaptainDC - I haven’t seen the shape of water, but I highly doubt it’s similar enough for people to immediately think of it when they watch a swamp thing movie a few years in the future.

The rot, swamp thing’s legacy, there’s no way shape of water can cover all of that.
CaptainDC
CaptainDC - 2/2/2018, 10:36 AM
@BloodyBed - Then you're saying that Swamp Thing as a movie would succeed without Shape of Water. The point of the article is that because of shape of water Swamp Thing can succeed.
BloodyBed
BloodyBed - 2/4/2018, 5:18 AM
@CaptainDC - that’s not what I’m saying at all.

I’m saying it’s not similar enough for people to say “this is just a ripoff”.

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