James Mangold’s DCU ‘Swamp Thing’ Has a Clear Mission

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James Mangold once again steps into a genre he excels in with the movie “A Complete Unknown”, a biographical film about Bob Dylan, portrayed by Timothee Chalamet. Interestingly, Mangold has consistently reinvented himself throughout his career, much like Dylan. In an interview with MovieWeb, Mangold expressed, “In my own unique way, I can relate to [Bob Dylan’s career path]. Over the span of my career, which has been quite long, I have genuinely enjoyed switching up what I work on. I don’t believe I alter my fundamental self; rather, I immerse myself in projects that surprise others and even myself.” As the saying goes, “The only constant is change.

Mangold made a big splash in the spotlight with the forceful film “Cop Land,” but he’s moved gracefully through Oscar-winning biopics (“Walk the Line”), blockbuster sequels (“Indiana Jones and the Crystal of Destiny”), psychological dramas (“Girl, Interrupted”), and Western epics (“3:10 to Yuma”). One of his most noteworthy performances was tackling the concluding installment of the widely acclaimed character Wolverine and creating one of the most profound superhero movies to date with “Logan.

Among all these genres, it might be unexpected that director Mangold is venturing back into the realm of superheroes, specifically with DC Universe’s Swamp Thing. Similar to his forthcoming Star Wars movie, Mangold shared with MovieWeb the key aspects he’ll emphasize in his Swamp Thing film:

Swamp Thing at DC, it’s just a matter of — do we find a way on the page to say something original?

When discussing the film “A Complete Unknown,” Mangold stated that while Bob Dylan’s work offers familiar elements, there’s room for interpretation. However, this becomes more complex with established franchises. He further explained that other intellectual properties can sometimes reach a level of devotion similar to religious beliefs. Though DC fans might not show the same intensity as Star Wars enthusiasts when it comes to different interpretations, Mangold acknowledges the dedication of these fans. This is one of many hurdles he encounters while working on Swamp Thing. Previously, Mangold has emphasized that his Swamp Thing will simply be a single gothic horror production.

Although DC may consider Swamp Thing as a series, to me it’s more like a straightforward, uncluttered, gothic horror film centered around this man or monster. I’m approaching it independently and plan to tell a self-contained story.

James Mangold Will Bring Different Genres to ‘Swamp Thing’ and ‘Star Wars’

One advantage Mangold has gained from working across various film genres is the flexibility to select and use what’s effective from each genre. If he were only a horror director, it could be challenging as people might only want to fund his horror films. However, the excitement lies in learning new things when switching genres or adapting the way you express yourself artistically.

Through various projects, such as action films, westerns, and even superhero movies like those in the Marvel universe, I’ve gathered a wealth of knowledge. This expertise isn’t confined to a single genre; rather, it allows me to apply lessons learned from one genre to another, sometimes in unexpected ways.

In my opinion, “Logan” stands out as a brilliant demonstration of Mangold seamlessly incorporating the wisdom gleaned from his work within the Western genre into a well-known superhero franchise. To me, “Logan” embodies just as much the essence of an ‘end of the west’ Western tale as it does any other genre. It masterfully blends themes, visual cues, and numerous references from the Western genre into the realm of superheroes, making it truly unique.

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2025-01-15 04:04