DC’s ‘Swamp Thing’ Movie Isn’t Dead After All as Peter Safran Shares a Promising Script Update

When James Gunn and Peter Safran unveiled the first chapter of their DC Universe, known as “Gods and Monsters,” on January 31, 2023, one of the most intriguing projects on the slate was ‘Swamp Thing’. Gunn described it as a very dark origin story for the monster, noting that while it would sit tonally apart from the rest of the DCU, it would still connect to the wider universe.

Shortly after, James Mangold, the filmmaker behind ‘Logan’ and ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’, emerged as the man to bring it to life. He even teased his involvement by sharing artwork of the creature by co-creator Bernie Wrightson, though Deadline reported at the time that the project was so early there was no script yet.

Now, after a long stretch without news, there’s finally an update. Speaking to Deadline at the world premiere of ‘Clayface’ in Los Angeles, DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran confirmed that the studio is still actively working on ‘Swamp Thing’ and that the script is currently being written.

Safran said the team remains excited about the project. He also explained that development takes time, especially when a filmmaker is already attached, since the studio has to wait for that director’s schedule to open up.

That comment points directly to Mangold’s busy calendar. In April 2023, he told Collider at Star Wars Celebration Europe that he was writing both ‘Swamp Thing’ and a Star Wars film set around the Dawn of the Jedi, though he stopped short of confirming he would direct, citing possible scheduling conflicts.

Peter Safran confirms the James Mangold ‘Swamp Thing’ film is still a go at DC Studios: “We’re working on it… The script is being written as we speak” https://t.co/tlJzxv9DSi

— Deadline (@DEADLINE) October 14, 2026

He also went on to make ‘A Complete Unknown’, his Bob Dylan biopic starring Timothée Chalamet. More recently, Mangold signed a contract with Paramount, which led to speculation that ‘Swamp Thing’ might be in jeopardy.

Mangold has previously shared what he has in mind for the film. He described his take to MovieWeb as a simple, clean Gothic horror story about a man who is also a monster, conceived as a standalone film.

He also said he wasn’t interested in being weighed down by decades of complicated lore. That approach suggests the movie could feel quite different from a traditional superhero blockbuster.

While not one of DC’s A-list heroes, Swamp Thing is one of the publisher’s most popular supernatural characters. The creature, a swamp monster dedicated to protecting the environment, was originally a scientist named Alex Olsen who was badly burned by chemicals and merged with the swamp he studied.

The character’s popularity grew in the 1980s thanks to an acclaimed run by writer Alan Moore. A live-action series arrived in 2019 and, while short-lived, was well received by viewers.

The timing of Safran’s update feels fitting. ‘Clayface’, DC Studios’ first full horror film, is set to hit theaters on October 23, and its success could help pave the way for more genre-driven projects in the DCU.

Deadline also reported earlier this month that ‘Swamp Thing’ remains in early development and included it in its rundown of Warner Bros.’ upcoming film slate. That means there’s still no cast or release date attached.

For fans who feared the project had quietly faded away, Safran’s comments offer real reassurance. Several DC Studios projects have fallen by the wayside, but ‘Swamp Thing’ clearly isn’t one of them. Ultimately, when cameras roll will likely come down to when Mangold is free. Until then, the script is the next major milestone to watch for.

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