SWAMP THING Director Says Movie Will Be FRANKENSTEIN-Inspired; Not Specifically Targeting R-Rating

SWAMP THING Director Says Movie Will Be FRANKENSTEIN-Inspired; Not Specifically Targeting R-Rating

James Mangold (Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny) has shared some updates on his plans for the DCU Swamp Thing movie, and it sounds like that R-rating is not set in stone...

News
By MarkCassidy - Jun 29, 2023 12:06 PM EST
Filed Under: Swamp Thing

Logan and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny director James Mangold was a guest on the latest episode of the Happy Sad Confused podcast, where he shared a few intriguing new details on his plans for the new DCU Swamp Thing movie that's currently in-development.

Though the filmmaker was hesitant to discuss the movie in any great detail, he did reveal why he decided to make himself available for this particular project.

“As soon as I heard James Gunn was taking over DC, I just saw it as an opportunity to throw my hat down.”

Mangold also said that his take on the classic DC Comics character will be inspired by Frankenstein, and although James Gunn has previously stated that the movie will “investigates the dark origins of Swamp Thing” with a "much more horrific" story, the director clarified that he is "not specifically" targeting an R-rating.

No potential casting picks were brought up, but a recent rumor claimed that It and John Wick Chapter 4 actor Bill Skarsgård might be in line to play Alec Holland, aka Swamp Thing. 

The Earth Elemental and John Constantine are closely-connected characters in the comics, and with Keanu Reeves (possibly) set to reprise the title role for a sequel to 2005's Constantine, fans are hoping for an eventual crossover - potentially building towards a Justice League Dark movie.

You can check out the full interview in the player below.

SWAMP THING Showrunner Clears Up Cancelation Reports And Reveals Scrapped Season 2 Plans
Related:

SWAMP THING Showrunner Clears Up Cancelation Reports And Reveals Scrapped Season 2 Plans
Former SWAMP THING Showrunner Mark Verheiden Weighs In On James Mangold's Upcoming Movie
Recommended For You:

Former SWAMP THING Showrunner Mark Verheiden Weighs In On James Mangold's Upcoming Movie

DISCLAIMER: As a user generated site and platform, ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and "Safe Harbor" provisions.

This post was submitted by a user who has agreed to our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. ComicBookMovie.com will disable users who knowingly commit plagiarism, piracy, trademark or copyright infringement. Please CONTACT US for expeditious removal of copyrighted/trademarked content. CLICK HERE to learn more about our copyright and trademark policies.

Note that ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

Do you have what it takes to write for us?
Want to contribute?
1 2
MaxPaint
MaxPaint - 6/29/2023, 12:33 PM
"The Earth Elemental and John Constantine are closely-connected characters in the comics, and with Keanu Reeves (possibly) set to reprise the title role for a sequel to 2005's Constantine, fans are hoping for an eventual crossover - potentially building towards a Justice League Dark movie."
Matador
Matador - 6/29/2023, 12:42 PM
@MaxPaint - I thought that John Constantine with Keanu got cancelled.
MaxPaint
MaxPaint - 6/29/2023, 12:46 PM
@Matador - I think the writers strike has put the production on hold for the time, but I believe it's gonna go once it's over and seeing how popular is Reeves nowadays, wb can't miss this b.o. chance (I hope).
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 6/29/2023, 1:45 PM
@Matador - I think they should go for a younger and more comic accurate Constantine, but if they do go for a Reeves Constantine, it'd be cool if he was married to Epiphany Graves and if Gemma Masters was a prominent character in his life (like the final arc of the original Hellblazer by Peter Milligan, featuring a 60-year old John Constantine).
comicfan100
comicfan100 - 6/29/2023, 1:52 PM
@ObserverIO - Matt Ryan set the bar for what Constantine should be.
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 6/29/2023, 1:57 PM
@comicfan100 - Totally agree. Mat Ryan in an R-rated Hellblazer movie would be perfect.
Matador
Matador - 6/29/2023, 2:05 PM
@comicfan100 - Agreed!
GhostDog
GhostDog - 6/29/2023, 12:41 PM
Want this to happen but wonder if its ACTUALLY going to happen.
tmp3
tmp3 - 6/29/2023, 12:43 PM
@GhostDog - if it happens i hope we get Logan/3:10 to Yuma Mangold and not Indy 5/Knight & Day Mangold
regularmovieguy
regularmovieguy - 6/29/2023, 12:56 PM
@tmp3

I actually did not hate Knight & Day. Saw it for the first time a few months ago and thought it was solid, haha. Tom leaning into crazy was fun.
MotherGooseUPus
MotherGooseUPus - 6/29/2023, 12:57 PM
@tmp3 - agreed... except i actually like knight & day. thought it was a hilarious cruise spoof movie where he was making fun of himself for every action movie he's been in... but thats just me
GhostDog
GhostDog - 6/29/2023, 1:42 PM
@tmp3 - Knight & Day was…something else lol

I wonder how much of Star Wars is gonna dominate Mangold. He seemed way more passionate about that Imo. Could be wrong. Who knows how the DCU will shake up too as it ls just beginning
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 6/29/2023, 1:47 PM
@tmp3 - I'm kinda hoping we get Hellboy II/Pan's Labyrinth Mangold.

Oh wait that was Guillermo Del Toro, wasn't it? Well that's easily fixed, get him instead!
tmp3
tmp3 - 6/29/2023, 2:07 PM
@GhostDog - idk why mangold wants to go back to lucasfilm after indy 5 is set to carpet bomb lol. I hope his bob dylan movie is gonna be good, he seems more passionate about that at least
NinnesMBC
NinnesMBC - 6/29/2023, 12:42 PM
When I hear Frankenstein I think about how the monster that was created by the doctor and then it goes to ask the question of who is in the end the real monster: Frankenstein himself for doing something unnatural like going against nature itself and reviving a person or the subject himself who then goes to do horrific things until he is given a wife.

Is that what Mangold is going for? That isn't exactly in Swamp Thing's territory. But maybe that's what he has left to do the project because the TV series already explored the "dark origins" and in a "horrific" story of identity crisis in which the character realized, like in the comics, that it never was Alec Holland and it just had his memories.



But I like that he admits he isn't aiming for that rating, the movie would have to be accessible to all audiences if they want to make all the profit in the world.
NinnesMBC
NinnesMBC - 6/29/2023, 12:43 PM
Off-topic: Dune Part 2 trailer is out.



@KingPatel @JoshWilding
regularmovieguy
regularmovieguy - 6/29/2023, 12:58 PM
@NinnesMBC

Looks [frick]ing epic.
MotherGooseUPus
MotherGooseUPus - 6/29/2023, 1:03 PM
@NinnesMBC -


Holy SHIT! that was f*cking BEAUTIFUL. Good lord thats going to be an amazing movie. The CBM may suck this year but these top notch directors (Nolan, McQuarrie and Denis) freaking knocked it out of the park

Best movies of the year:
1) MI Dead Reckoning
2) Dune 2
3) Oppenheimer
NinnesMBC
NinnesMBC - 6/29/2023, 1:11 PM
@regularmovieguy - I have to watch the first one, but it sure seems.
NinnesMBC
NinnesMBC - 6/29/2023, 1:13 PM
@MotherGooseUPus - I'm mostly excited for Oppenheimer but right after M:I Dead Reckoning comes in and looks to be just as good.

Couldn't watch Dune due to the still managing pandemic days in 2021 so I have to catch up first.
regularmovieguy
regularmovieguy - 6/29/2023, 1:22 PM
@NinnesMBC

When you have 2.5 hours give it a watch! I loved the first one having never read the book and most of my buds did, too. Should be available on MAX or Hulu if you have either of them.
MotherGooseUPus
MotherGooseUPus - 6/29/2023, 1:42 PM
@NinnesMBC - like @regularmovieguy said, it's on MAX. I think you can also rent it possibly on Prime video or even redbox. You really should watch it.. it's a fantastic movie with some absolutely stunning cinematography.

Overall... all 3 of those movies i listed are going to be phenomenal and we're all better for seeing them
mountainman
mountainman - 6/29/2023, 2:02 PM
@NinnesMBC - Wow.

Way more action than part 1.

They aren’t shying away from the potentially tough to get behind religious elements.

Austin Butler as Feyd-Rautha looks amazing.

Sounds like another classic Zimmer score.

This might be the best movie of 2023.
mountainman
mountainman - 6/29/2023, 2:04 PM
@MotherGooseUPus - I know we’ve discussed how we share the same top 3 for this year.

My other movie that may be up with those is Ridley Scott’s Napoleon epic.
tmp3
tmp3 - 6/29/2023, 2:23 PM
@MotherGooseUPus - After this trailer, I'm finally with you on this one - easily one of my most anticipated of the rest of the year. Just looks spectacular. I can't believe we're about to get this, Mission and Oppenheimer the same year (along with Scott's Napoleon and Fincher's The Killer)
NinnesMBC
NinnesMBC - 6/29/2023, 2:30 PM
@regularmovieguy - The film must be then a pretty good adaptation if you don't need to read the book then to enjoy it. Thanks for the rec, I'll look for it.
NinnesMBC
NinnesMBC - 6/29/2023, 2:31 PM
@MotherGooseUPus - I have Prime so I'll try looking for it here.

It's a good year for these movies, I agree.
NinnesMBC
NinnesMBC - 6/29/2023, 2:32 PM
@mountainman - The part where Paul explains that was scared him wasn't losing control but gaining it which implies he would never let it go. That was a good approach to the subject.

Austin Butler sure looks unrecognizable in the role.
mountainman
mountainman - 6/29/2023, 2:37 PM
@NinnesMBC - Well, staying spoiler free here, the later books get into some pretty uncomfortable territory. If they continue making these and follow the books’ storyline, it could run the risk of upsetting people.
MotherGooseUPus
MotherGooseUPus - 6/29/2023, 2:52 PM
@mountainman - yes we have. i didnt know about Scott's Napolean, i will have to check out a trailer. i haven't been impressed with his last 2 Alien movies so i hope he can get back to form.
@tmp3 - these 3 movies will bring back the golden days of summer blockbusters (that werent CBM). they all look amazing in their own way. I will have to check out Fincher's The Killer, haven't heard of it.
mountainman
mountainman - 6/29/2023, 3:03 PM
@MotherGooseUPus - No official trailer released yet, just some small footage clips. Looks very reminiscent of Gladiator and other great historical epics. Agree that the recent Alien stuff was bad.
MotherGooseUPus
MotherGooseUPus - 6/29/2023, 3:10 PM
@mountainman - ahhhh ok. i'm not a huge history buff... but i loved gladiator (upset they're making a not needed sequel) but once i see a trailer i may give it a shot. regardless... with the 3 best directors and they're movies coming out soon, 2023 looks to be epic for some great flicks
mountainman
mountainman - 6/29/2023, 3:13 PM
@MotherGooseUPus - For sure.

Man we are just a few weeks away from Dead Reckoning! Then right after is Oppenheimer!

After all the duds this year, July is looking good!
tmp3
tmp3 - 6/29/2023, 3:24 PM
@MotherGooseUPus - It's the new thriller by Fincher and stars Fassbender, out this November

But yeah, the trifecta of Nolan/Villeneuve/McQ is gonna make up for the lackluster big budget fare we've seen so far this year
MotherGooseUPus
MotherGooseUPus - 6/29/2023, 4:05 PM
@mountainman - July is going to be sooooo good. glad i saved my money from crap movies to spend on these beauties coming out
MotherGooseUPus
MotherGooseUPus - 6/29/2023, 4:06 PM
@tmp3 - i will def have to check it out. big Fincher fan and Fssbender is great. Seriously, those 3 directors are going to save the movie business lol. I can't wait to see their movies
mountainman
mountainman - 6/29/2023, 4:07 PM
@MotherGooseUPus - Only movies I’ve seen in theaters this year were Mario and GOTG3 and I enjoyed them both. Happy for all my skips. Only one I wish I could see (but too busy in June) was Spiderverse.
MotherGooseUPus
MotherGooseUPus - 6/29/2023, 6:08 PM
@mountainman - i hear yea man. only ones ive seen were Antman and Spiderverse. Will be seeing MI, Oppenheimer and Dune in Dolby no doubt about it
IronGenesis
IronGenesis - 6/29/2023, 12:55 PM
Make Alec the Swamp Thing

The “twist” has been played out.
1 2
Related Headlines
Latest Headlines

Hot Headlines Hot Headlines

Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Anime & Manga

Gaming

Horror

Cartoons & Animated Features

Action Movies & TV

Pro Wrestling & MMA News
View Recorder