Swamp Thing, one of DCs most underrated characters, is getting a new movie! Here’s everything we know so far.
Let’s start at the beginning. For those who don’t know, Swamp Thing was a scientist transformed after an experiment went wrong. The giant plant-covered creature, created by Len Wein and artist Bernie Wrightson, first appeared in House of Secrets in July of 1971. He was given his own comic in 1972.
During a recent chat with Variety, writer-director James Mangold told the site that the movie was not born with a plan to make it a larger franchise. Instead, the filmmaker describes it as a “simple, clean, gothic horror movie.” He also explained that it would be very different than the DC and Marvel movies we’re used to getting, you know, the ones with endless sequels and prequels. Mangold, who is also behind the new and final installment of the Indiana Jones franchise, appears not to be interested in Swamp Thing racking up sequels or ties to other movies, for that matter.
While I’m sure DC views Swamp Thing as a franchise, I would be viewing it as a very simple, clean, gothic horror movie about a man monster.” Mangold states.
As for the cast of Mangold’s movie, that has yet to be announced. But multiple reports are saying that Bill Skarsgard (IT, Barbarian, John Wick 4) is being eyed for the lead role of Alec Holland, who becomes Swamp Thing.
Following a series of tweets, it looks like Vincent D’Onofrio, who has played “Kingpin” in multiple series such as “Daredevil” and “Hawkeye,” is very interested in a role.
Love this. https://t.co/Y76vzx0iux
— Vincent D'Onofrio (@vincentdonofrio) April 13, 2023
As of the moment, the premiere date has not been announced, but as always, we’ll keep you posted.
The last we saw Swamp Thing was back in 2019 in the CW series (now on Prime Video), which was unfortunately short-lived. Derek Mears (Friday the 13th, Dead Snow 2), famous for playing some of horror’s most treasured villains, played the role of Swamp Thing in the series, which centers on CDC researcher Abby Arcane. After returning to her childhood home of Houma, Louisiana, to investigate a deadly swamp-borne virus, she develops a relationship with scientist Alec Holland, only to have him tragically taken from her. But as powerful forces descend on Houma, intent on exploiting the swamp’s mysterious properties for their own purposes, Abby discovers that the swamp holds mystical secrets and that the potential love of her life may not be dead after all.
Before the 2019 series came, there was the 1982 Wes Craven-directed film starring Adrienne Barbeau, Ray Wise, and Dick Durock as the creature. If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend that you check it out. You can watch it now on Tubi, Prime Video, and on VUDU.
