DC Studios just dropped a major update on James Mangold’s long-awaited Swamp Thing movie. Co-chief Peter Safran revealed where the Gothic horror film stands and why it’s taken so long to get moving.
James Mangold’s Swamp Thing is still a go at DC
DC Studios co-head Peter Safran has confirmed that the Swamp Thing film remains in active development. In an interview reported by Deadline, Safran stated, “We’re working on it. Absolutely. Yeah, yeah, the script is being written as we speak.” He added that the project is one the studio feels excited about.
James Mangold is writing and potentially directing the film. James Gunn first announced Swamp Thing as part of Chapter One: Gods and Monsters in January 2023. The studio reported Mangold’s involvement shortly after, and Gunn later confirmed he was one of the first filmmakers he approached about the DCU. In an April 2023 interview, Mangold confirmed his role as writer but stopped short of committing to direct, citing possible scheduling conflicts.
Safran also addressed the lengthy development timeline. He noted, “All these things take time, and particularly when you have a filmmaker already involved, you got to wait for their window as well.” Mangold has stayed busy with other commitments, including an upcoming Star Wars project.
Gunn previously described the film as “a very dark horror story” exploring the origins of the titular character. He noted that while it stands tonally apart from the rest of the DCU, it will still connect to the broader universe. The studio has not yet announced any casting details.
Swamp Thing joins a growing slate of DC Universe projects under Gunn and Safran’s leadership. Their confirmation reinforces the studio’s commitment to the property despite the extended development period. Fans can expect more updates as the script progresses and Mangold’s schedule aligns with production.