As a die-hard comic book enthusiast and a fan of Mike Flanagan‘s chilling storytelling, I can’t help but daydream about the incredible adaptations he could bring to the DC Universe. The rich tapestry of characters in the DCU is vast, but there are a few that truly stand out as ripe for Flanagan’s unique touch.
I’d jump at the chance to acknowledge that I’d delight in a world where filmmaker Mike Flanagan directed every movie released this year and beyond, just to experience his unique perspective on any story. (A Mike Flanagan-directed “American Pie: Retirement Party”? I’d consider it.) Given my recent joy from his work as both a filmmaker and TV creator, it’s no surprise that I’m excited at the prospect of him joining the new DC Universe, especially since he’s expressed interest in collaborating with James Gunn on the upcoming “Superman”.
To spark a fresh wave of thoughts in my mind, let me share the words of the Doctor Sleep and Oculus director who was asked at Fan Expo Canada (through Home of DCU) about potential collaborations with James Gunn for a future DC project:.
I’ve consistently admired James Gunn both personally and professionally, and I can’t help but express my desire to be involved in his creative universe.
It’s clear that getting Flanagan involved in a DCU film or series would require significant work and strategic planning, making it unlikely for this to happen during the “Gods and Monsters” initial phase. At present, he’s preoccupied with his plans for adapting Stephen King’s Dark Tower, directing Blumhouse’s new Exorcist movie, managing his podcast Director’s Commentary, and working on another King film titled The Life of Chuck.
As a die-hard horror fan, I must admit, having Mike Flanagan on the scene is pure bliss! If by some miracle, his talent lands him a DC Universe movie, it simply has to be a masterpiece that only the genius behind “The Haunting of Hill House” can bring to life. Here are a few DC Comics titles I believe he’d breathe new life into:
Hellblazer’s John Constantine
When considering DC Comics’ most ominous narratives throughout time, aside from Batman’s repeated parental demise in mythology, John Constantine is a name that surfaces more frequently than those he associates with would prefer. A skilled practitioner of the supernatural who can be equally adept at various forms of magic depending on the period, Constantine fits perfectly with Mike Flanagan due to the macabre possibilities he offers.
In a more casual and straightforward manner: Although Keanu Reeves’ portrayal of Constantine and Matt Ryan’s within the Arrowverse were appreciated, neither managed to create a deeply personal and thoughtful horror experience as Mike Flanagan might have done. I believe that if he were to take on the character, it would be unique and distinct from his work in The Exorcist, offering a fresh perspective on the Constantine storyline.
Nerdy hot take: I think Flanagan would film some fantastic one-take close-up magic scenes that would blow viewers’ minds, not to mention everything he could do with Constantine’s other death-tinged powers. Plus, this character opens the door to Swamp Thing, Zatanna, and other Justice League Dark characters that would also be perfect fits for Flanagan’s grounded vision.
Black Orchid
Over time, multiple variations of the Black Orchid character have emerged within the annals of DC Comics, with Sheldon Mayer and Tony DeZuniga’s original creation appearing in Adventure Comics during the 1970s. If James Gunn and Peter Safran were to approve her inclusion, I would be eager to see Mike Flanagan explore the character’s later iterations within the DC Universe.
I’m particularly interested in seeing Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean’s version of Black Orchid on the big screen, as they presented her in their 1988-89 three-issue miniseries. Their interpretation of the character is unique because it focuses on Flora and Suzy, who are essentially Black Orchid’s biological sisters, rather than the original heroine. This approach to the character’s origin story is refreshing since it hasn’t been adapted numerous times like many other DC heroes.
Notably, Gaiman and McKean designed Black Orchid to harmoniously blend with the foliage and fungi inhabited by cherished characters such as Pamela Isley (Poison Ivy), Alec Holland (Swamp Thing), and Jason Woodrue (Floronic Man). Furthermore, they cleverly included Batman in this tale. Although it may not be as frighteningly horror-oriented as other narratives, it possesses a swampy-gothic ambiance that Mike Flanagan could likely excel at, and I suspect he’d create some mesmerizing visual effects involving the plants.
The Question
In the late 1960s, a character named The Question was introduced by Charlton Comics. This character moved to DC Comics in 1985 when they acquired Charlton’s characters. This move paved the way for Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ groundbreaking series “Watchmen,” where the gritty vigilante Rorschach, similar to The Question, often took center stage. In other words, the enigmatic moral crusader doesn’t get much solo limelight.
In my opinion, Mike Flanagan’s The Question could resemble the Batman movies equivalent of the film Se7en, featuring a protagonist who is intelligent enough to decipher most mysteries, physically capable of dealing with most issues, and courageous enough to confront most fears. However, this hero would not necessarily be the smartest, strongest, or bravest among them all, but rather one who will do whatever it takes to achieve their objectives. As for the character, I’d be thrilled if both Vic Sage and Renee Montoya were portrayed as The Question in live-action, alternating between them.
In a preferred approach, Flanagan might emphasize the mystical and eerie aspects of The Question’s comic background more prominently. This could involve dialogues with spectral entities, astral projections, and even transformations with a magical flair. This addition would undoubtedly intensify the horror elements in the narrative. Furthermore, Flanagan’s talent for intricate, winding storylines would be ideally suited to portray The Question’s deep-seated conspiratorial suspicions, adding layers of complexity and suspense to the tale.
Honorable Mentions
Among the three characters mentioned above, they are the ones I’m most excited to see brought to life by Mike Flanagan’s talent. However, it’s important to note that they aren’t the only DC characters I’d like him to work on. Here’s a taste of other superheroes and villains whose stories could benefit from his exceptional storytelling abilities.
- Animal Man
- Adam Strange
- Deadman
- The Enigma
- Red Hood
- Spectre
- Talia Al Ghul
- Zatanna
Fun fact: the filmmaker crafted both the movie Hush and the TV series Midnight Mass, which respetively share names with an S-tier Batman villain and a 2002 Vertigo comic from John Rozum, though with completely different subject matter. That said, I would 100% be down to watch Flanagan bring Tommy Elliot’s vengeance to the DCU.
Though Mike Flanagan may never visit the DC Universe for any supernatural, superheroic, or other reasons, he fortunately has an abundance of projects, both in his upcoming horror films and elsewhere, ensuring there’s little to no reason for me to complain.
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2024-09-01 00:42