Swamp Thing: What We Know About The DC Universe Movie

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In early 2023, when the DC Universe franchise was officially launched, Swamp Thing was among the initial movies revealed to be part of the subsequent shared storyline following the DC Extended Universe. Originating in House of Secrets #92 for DC Comics in 1971 by Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson, this character has been a mainstay of their Vertigo imprint for many years before being brought back into the main DC Universe in 2010. The vegetable-based monster is one of DC’s most prominent supernatural superheroes, alongside characters such as John Constantine and Zatanna, and he plays a crucial role in Justice League Dark.

As a die-hard DC fan, I can’t help but feel a surge of excitement as I prepare to delve into the upcoming big-screen adventure of Swamp Thing. While this isn’t his debut on live-action or even in cinematic form (we’ll dive deeper into that later), it’s undeniably set to be his most extensive public exposure yet within the DC Universe.

Curious about what this feature film has in store for us? I’ve put together a handy guide, which I plan to update as more details emerge. Here’s what we know so far!

When Is Swamp Thing’s Release Date?

At the moment, there’s no set release date for “Swamp Thing.” The cinematic side of the DC Universe will commence with James Gunn’s “Superman” on July 11, 2025. This will be followed by “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow” on June 26, 2026, and “Clayface” on September 11, 2026.

It seems that the first appearance of Swamp Thing might be as late as 2027, however, due to numerous other upcoming DCU films such as The Authority, The Brave and the Bold, Teen Titans, the team-up movie featuring Bane and Deathstroke, and the Daniel Craig-led Sgt. Rock, we may have to endure a delay beyond that date.

What Is Swamp Thing About?

So far, no specific storyline has been revealed for “Swamp Thing”, but since we’re familiar with the character from the comics, we have a basic understanding of what we might see.

Over the years, various people have taken on the role of Swamp Thing, often occurring when they die and their consciousness merges with The Green, a powerful cosmic force that sustains all plant life across the universe. As the embodiment of The Green, Swamp Thing possesses the ability to control all vegetation, granting him capabilities such as altering his body’s size and form, rapid healing, immense strength, and even time travel.

It’s likely that the upcoming Swamp Thing movie will focus on the character of Alec Holland, who is widely recognized as the primary Swamp Thing figure. In the comics, Alec was a scientist who developed a bio-restorative solution to combat global food scarcity issues, but unfortunately, his lab was destroyed in an explosion after its creation.

Soaking in the solution, yet engulfed by the explosion’s flames, he spent his last breaths fleeing towards the surrounding marsh. His awareness merged with the marsh, and the sentient vegetation nearby took shape around him, giving birth to Swamp Thing.

The Swamp Thing Cast

As of now, no actors have been chosen for the upcoming movie “Swamp Thing”. It’s expected that the story will revolve around Alec Holland. If this is true, we can anticipate that characters like his love interest, Abby Arcane, and his main adversary, Anton Arcane (who happens to be Abby’s father), will likely make an appearance too.

On the other hand, it’s conceivable that the upcoming movie might opt for Levi Kamei, who currently plays Swamp Thing in the comics. Regardless of when the film is released, remember that there’s a chance he could appear in another DC Universe project prior to being the main character.

Who’s Directing Swamp Thing?

In April 2023, it was officially confirmed that James Mangold would be penning and directing the film “Swamp Thing”. This marks his third venture into comic book movies, having previously directed “The Wolverine” and both written and directed “Logan”. His other works include “Walk the Line”, “3:10 to Yuma”, “Ford v Ferrari”, “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny”, and “A Complete Unknown”.

What Will Swamp Thing Be Rated?

It won’t be clear what rating the upcoming Swamp Thing movie will receive until closer to its release date. However, based on comments made by Peter Safran and James Mangold, it seems likely that the film will delve into the character’s disturbing past through a horror lens, which could potentially result in an R-rating rather than a PG-13 rating.

Will Swamp Thing Connect To Other DCU Projects?

In an interview with Variety, Mangold referred to his upcoming movie as a project where he’s “freely exploring this on my own” and “a standalone film.” However, it’s important to note that the character will connect with different parts of the DC Universe. James Gunn made this clear when he mentioned during the DCU announcement that “Swamp Thing will continue to intermingle with other characters.

In my perspective as a movie critic, it seems we might encounter this character in another DC Universe production initially, setting up the groundwork for his standalone film (a clever play on words). Alternatively, the solo feature could subtly intertwine with other projects, creating connections that enrich the narrative without overshadowing the story director Mangold intends to convey.

How To Watch The Previous Swamp Thing Movies And TV Shows

As we keep tabs on James Mangold’s upcoming movie, you can catch up on earlier Swamp Thing live-action films and shows conveniently online. The 1982 film “Swamp Thing” and its sequel from 1989, “The Return of Swamp Thing”, along with the short-lived TV series that was previously available on the DC Universe streaming service, can all be accessed for free on Tubi.

Back in the day, I had the pleasure of tuning into the Swamp Thing TV show that graced our screens from 1990 to 1993, airing on the USA Network. Fast forward to today, and if you’re hankering for a rewatch, you’ll need to head over to digital platforms such as Apple TV or Amazon Prime Video – ready your wallets for a purchase!

As a dedicated cinephile, I’m keeping my eyes open for more details about the upcoming DCU movie, “Swamp Thing.” For those of you who enjoy a trip down memory lane, you can relive the DC film saga in order with your Max subscription!

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2025-01-11 19:07