DC Studios is set to release Clayface, the third film in the DCU, in less than two weeks. The project marks a major shift for the shared superhero universe, as it centers on a villain and is firmly planted in the horror genre. If early word-of-mouth on Clayface is anything to go by, the decision to do a horror thriller has paid off.
However, Clayface was not intended to be DC Studios’ first horror film. In 2023, when James Gunn announced the DCU slate, he confirmed a Swamp Thing feature was in development. James Mangold, director of Logan and Ford v. Ferrari, had been attached to direct since the project was first confirmed. In the three years since the announcement, Swamp Thing has progressed slowly behind the scenes, amid rumors that it had been canceled.
At the world premiere of Clayface, DC Studios co-president Peter Safran told Deadline that Swamp Thing is still in development. In fact, he said they are “working on it” and “a script is being written as we speak. It’s something we’re excited about.” As for the delay, Safran said: “All these things take time, particularly when you have a filmmaker already involved; you’ve got to wait for their window as well.”
Swamp Thing was created by writer Len Wein and artist Bernie Wrightson, and debuted in House of Secrets #92 in July 1971. The character has had a few retcons over the years, most notably a famous storyline by Alan Moore, but he is traditionally a swamp monster who also protects and guards nature. He starred in his own solo film in 1982, directed by Wes Craven, with a sequel, Return of Swamp Thing, released in 1989. In 2019, a series titled Swamp Thing debuted on the DC Universe streaming app and lasted one season.
James Mangold is currently working on High Side, a motorcycle heist thriller starring Timothée Chalamet. High Side is the first title in the director’s five-year development deal with Paramount Pictures. With Warner Bros. and Paramount Pictures now under the Skydance umbrella, Swamp Thing could theoretically become part of that development deal and a studio priority. Mangold was previously set to work on a Star Wars movie in development titled Dawn of the Jedi, but Disney and Lucasfilm have reportedly shelved the project indefinitely.
Swamp Thing is one of many DCU films in development. Next for the shared universe is Man of Tomorrow, the Superman follow-up, which is in post-production and is set to open on Jul. 9, 2027. DC Studios also has a Wonder Woman reboot and a DCU Batman film titled The Brave and the Bold as high priorities. Other titles in development include Teen Titans and a Bane and Deathstroke team-up movie called Savage Hunters. On television, The People vs. Gorilla Grodd will debut on HBO in 2027, and Lanterns Season 2 is reportedly in development.
