Earlier this year, it was revealed that an all-new horror movie based on Swamp Thing was in the works as part of DC’s upcoming projects. The film aims to delve into the eerie origins of the iconic character. Acclaimed director James Mangold, known for his work on films like Logan and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, was soon attached to the project under WB/DC, and he recently provided an update in an interview with Variety.

In the conversation, Mangold emphasizes multiple times that he has no intention of treating franchise installments like extended episodes of a television series. Instead, his approach as a filmmaker is to tell self-contained stories that have a clear beginning and end. In other words, fans can expect Mangold’s Swamp Thing to be a standalone movie, rather than a small piece of a larger DC universe.

“While I’m sure DC sees ‘Swamp Thing’ as a franchise, I personally view it as a straightforward, uncomplicated Gothic horror movie about this man/monster,” Mangold expresses to the outlet.

He goes on to explain that he has toyed with the idea of creating a Frankenstein-inspired film for years, further emphasizing that he is “doing his own thing” with this project and focusing on making it a standalone experience.

“My interest lies in crafting a cohesive and satisfying narrative from start to finish,” he adds, speaking more broadly about his filmmaking aspirations in general, drawing parallels to his approach in movies like Logan. “Otherwise, I’d be working on the most expensive television show in the world.”

Swamp Thing recently appeared in a short-lived television series on DC Universe, with Derek Mears portraying the character throughout its single season.

It’s worth noting that a Swamp Thing feature film was released in 1982, directed by Wes Craven and featuring Dick Durock as the Swamp Thing. The film spawned a sequel as well as a subsequent TV series.

According to Wikipedia, the character of Swamp Thing, created by writer Len Wein and artist Bernie Wrightson, is a humanoid/plant elemental creature. It has undergone various humanoid and monster incarnations across different storylines. The character first appeared in House of Secrets #92 (July 1971) in a standalone horror story set in the early 20th century. It later returned in a solo series, set in the contemporary world and within the broader DC continuity.

The Swamp Thing character is depicted as a swamp monster resembling an anthropomorphic mound of vegetation. He fights to protect his swamp home, the environment as a whole, and humanity from various supernatural and terrorist threats.