Peter Safran Confirms Swamp Thing Film Is in Development

DC Studios co-chairman Peter Safran has confirmed that the Swamp Thing film remains in development and the screenplay writing process is continuing. At the screening of Clayface, responding to a Deadline question about the project's status, he said: 'We are busy working…'

DC co-head Peter Safron has confirmed that the Swamp Thing movie is still in development and that the script is still being written.

At the premiere of Clayface, he said in response to Deadline's question about the status of this project:

We are working on it and the project is definitely still ongoing. The script is being written now.

Safran further explained that the production schedule of the film largely depends on the director's work schedule. He said:

It should be kept in mind that the construction of such projects takes time; Especially when a filmmaker has already been chosen for it. In this situation, we have to wait until the right time is provided for him.

The filmmaker to whom Sefern refers to his work program is James Mangold. Swamp Thing was announced in January 2023 as part of the first slate of new DC Universe (DCU) projects by James Gunn and Peter Safran.

Mangold confirmed shortly after the project was announced that he would write the script and direct it. At the time, he described the film as a horror film with a gothic and indie atmosphere that delves into the character's dark roots.

However, Mangold later signed a contract with another company. The Logan director has signed a comprehensive deal with Paramount in September 2025 under David Ellison's Skydance management. His first project in this series will be the film High Side centered on MotoGP races; A work that also makes Timothée Chalamet work with Mangold again.

Safron previously talked about Swamp Thing's production schedule depending on Mangold's work schedule. When the director was working on A Complete Unknown, Safren said about the possibility of him returning to the project:

Hopefully, Mangold will return to the Swamp Thing project when he's ready. We love him as a filmmaker and have no problem waiting for his return.

In October of last year, informed sources of the news website Cosmic Book News pointed directly to the Swamp Thing movie and James Mangold when investigating the reason for the long production process of the DC universe projects. According to information released at the time, one of the reasons for the delay in various DC projects was the desire of the filmmakers to maintain their personal vision of their work. It was said that there were disagreements between some directors and James Gunn over the amount of creative control over the projects; An issue that, according to reports, was also raised about the director of the Supergirl movie.

Mangold had signed a contract with Paramount at the same time, and this raised doubts about continuing to make Swamp Thing. Now, a year later, Sefern says the script is still being written and DC is waiting to see when the director comes on board.

Clayface movie is scheduled to release on October 23. However, Swamp Thing doesn't have a specific start date yet, and according to Safron, it all depends on when Mangold can fit the project into his schedule.