Exclusive: Director Vincenzo Natali Talks Swamp Thing

Exclusive:  Director Vincenzo Natali Talks Swamp Thing

The director of the upcoming movie, Splice has quite a few thoughts on comic book movies in general.

By DogsOfWar - Apr 21, 2010 09:04 PM EST
Filed Under: Swamp Thing
Source: Pop Culture Phenomena

I had the opportunity to sit down with Vincenzo Natali this past weekend at Denver's sci-fi and fantasy convention StarFest. Who is Vincenzo Natali, you may ask? Along with being a storyboard artist on several cartoons, he is an independent writer and director (Cube). His latest movie, Splice, was picked up by Warner Bros. and will have a national release on June 4th. The movie stars Adrien Brody and Sarah Polley.


Synopsis
Two young scientists (Brody and Polley) achieve fame by splicing human DNA with the DNA of different animals to create a new creature. In the process they ignore their society's ethical and legal boundaries. The scientists name their creature "Dren", which is initially a deformed female infant. However, it rapidly develops into a beautiful but deadly winged human-chimera.

For the interview on Splice click on the full picture of "Dren" below.


Along with talking about his new film, we talked a lot about comic book movies. He expanded on his earlier quote (from a previous article by RorMachine ) about doing a big screen adaptation of Swamp Thing.





When I asked him to expand on what drew him to Alan Moore's version:
"He really kind of pushed it in this kind of strange philosophical, ecological direction and took the character and, kind of, completely reinvented what the essence of that character is. That, for me, is the version that would interest me most, personally."

One of the biggest hurdles would be obtaining the rights to the character:
"I have explored what the rights issues are and they're a bit complicated"

The film rights are now with MGM which is in financial ruin. Once someone buys them, it can be pursued but even then Natali says "it won't be easy." I do find it very interesting that Joel Silver is the producer that bought Splice and is also very interested in bringing Swamp Thing back.


We also talked about what other CBM's he would like to make. Along with doing an adaptation of DC's Camelot 3000 he touched base on a character that has already been done:
"I was always strongly disappointed, severely disappointed by "Judge Dredd". I feel like that there is a great "Judge Dredd" movie that has yet to be made. So, that would certainly interest me a great deal."


We touched base on the possibility of DC bringing together their live action superhero universe:
"I think what Marvel is doing is so brilliant. You know, turning what they did in the comic book world, which is fully integrated universe of different characters; translating that into the film world."

He wouldn't mind the same approach being taken with Swamp Thing and the supernatural characters that he came across such as Deadman or John Constantine.

Splice looks to be an amazing movie and is getting rave reviews from its showing at Sundance. It is a modern twist on the Frankenstein tale that pushes the envelope both ethically and sexually. I believe Natali would be an excellent candidate for a CBM and is someone who understands the genre. You can hear more from Vincenzo Natali by clicking the link below.
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thwhtGuardian
thwhtGuardian - 4/21/2010, 9:22 PM
Wow, that's awesome that you got to sit down with him! great questions man.
DogsOfWar
DogsOfWar - 4/21/2010, 9:32 PM
Thanks, that and the Chris Judge interview was a blast and a great learning experience. Hopefully I'll be able to build off these.
JLanphear
JLanphear - 4/21/2010, 9:32 PM
That's wicked awesome. I think he would make an INCREDIBLE Swamp Thing film, and having this man behind the reigns of a full on Vertigo film universe would blow my mind. ABSOLUTELY blow my mind. Especially since Guillermo Del Toro has already said that Deadman is one of the films he would like to personally make (though Deadman would be in the DC Universe, not Vertigo).
Ven0m
Ven0m - 4/21/2010, 10:57 PM
Great job Dogs keep it up.
Faust1973
Faust1973 - 4/21/2010, 11:02 PM
...if this guy is willing to direct a Swamp Thing based on Alan Moore's run, he is the MAN...I was never into Swamp Thing until I picked up the reprinted graphic novel of the run that Moore did and was blown away...had Batman guest starring, Constantine, and everything made SENSE...
Faust1973
Faust1973 - 4/21/2010, 11:03 PM
...and btw, the first Cube was really good...
Jimdlux
Jimdlux - 4/22/2010, 1:08 AM
That's kinda....creepy...
r0r5ch4ch84
r0r5ch4ch84 - 4/22/2010, 1:16 AM
....Swamp Thing? Really? Well now...this guy has earned my respect for his desire to tackle a challenge.
1chris2
1chris2 - 4/22/2010, 1:20 AM
great director and in my opinion he would be one of the only ones that could do a great swamp thing movie.
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 4/22/2010, 3:43 AM
Oh man, oh man, oh man!

[frick]ing awesome DOGS!!!!

I love SWAMP THING too!

Great interview!!



All they gotta do though is less "RETURN OF THE SWAMPTHING" and more ALAN MOORE!

Thumbs up @ DOGS!

Man, you da man!!!

Tea @ Lol, FUNNY PIC!
CRITIC17
CRITIC17 - 4/22/2010, 4:35 AM
SWEET!!!! Does this mean we can get a Sandman and Constatine crossover, and get even more movies!!!!??? Guillermo del Toro should direct Sandman!!!!!!!
Shaman
Shaman - 4/22/2010, 5:29 AM
Dogs- DUDE! You got a sexy ass beard man! GREAT INTERVIEW!!!
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 4/22/2010, 5:30 AM
This is awesome Dogs, great stuff! I hope he does get Swamp Thing, anyone that campaigns for a project, you know they have passion for the stories. Splice doesn't look as good as it is apparently, the reviews have been great.
longbowhunter
longbowhunter - 4/22/2010, 8:05 AM
Always good to hear any news on Swamp Thing. He has some of the best supporting characters. It would be a shame not to see Alan Moore's Swamp Thing put to film.
DogsOfWar
DogsOfWar - 4/22/2010, 8:40 AM
Thanks guys! He's an amazingly cool guy. If you've never seen Cube before, check it out-very interesting concept.

@Shaman-A special thanks to you! You can touch it, for a dollar.
foxfan
foxfan - 4/22/2010, 8:51 AM
very cool interview, thanks for sharing!
ROMACK
ROMACK - 4/24/2010, 9:20 PM
If only they can do Swamp Thing right this time. The first was good but lacked the budget. The second had the look but no story or acting.
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