James Mangold opens up about his upcoming gothic horror film Swamp Thing in the DCU

James Mangold's A Complete Unknown is already bringing in large numbers at the North American box office while currently holding a BAFTA nomination for the best film award in 2025. Amidst all the hype, the social media attention has now turned towards Mangold's newly announced project in the DCU - Swamp Thing, an upcoming gothic horror movie.

Talking about the success of his Bob Dylan biopic, Mangold has reflected on how he has worked on various projects over the years, per MovieWeb. He further added in his statements that his upcoming movie Swamp Thing is a return to the super hero genre, though it will be a simple standalone gothic horror piece and not purely a franchise material.

James Mangold talks about his upcoming DCU standalone horror, Swamp Thing

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As per James Mangold's statements to MovieWeb:

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

He went on, saying:

"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 this man/monster... Just doing my own thing with this, just a standalone."

It has been a while now that the project has been in development, as the first time DC Studios expressed interest was way back in January 2023. DC Studios CEO James Gunn has also opened up about choosing James Mangold over Guillermo del Toro as the director of Swamp Thing. He reportedly said in a statement:

"Well, for starters, James actually expressed his interest to me (Guillermo, who I know and love, did not)."

Later, in April, 2023, Mangold was chosen to direct the upcoming gothic horror rendition in the DCU. The story will supposedly follow the character Alec Holland (a scientist) whose life is turned upside down after a tragic lab incident transforms him into a stranger creature. It has been adapted from the comic book created by Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson in the early 70s.

James Mangold explains why he changes genres

As someone who keeps switching genres, James Mangold has learned a lot in the process, per his statements. He has justified the same, saying:

"But part of the joy is that you learn a lot when you are changing genres or the vernacular in some of the way you communicate in your art."

He further added:

"I've learned a lot, whether it's making an action film, or whether it's making a Western and bringing those energies to a kind of superhero film or Marvel film. You not only learn things making one genre, but then you learn how to carry over lessons from that genre into another one that you might not expect.'

Swamp Thing will primarily be an origin story of the somewhat less-known DC character and will work around the development of a backstory. However, linking it to other parts of the universe will reportedly remain a secondary aspect of Mangold's upcoming gothic horror piece.