James Gunn recently posted an illustration of Swamp Thing on his Instagram story, reigniting discussions about the progress of the new Swamp Thing movie. The artwork was initially shared by the Instagram account @heavymetal, alongside a brief note about the artist Michael Zulli. This caught Gunn’s eye and led him to reshare the post, drawing renewed attention to the project that is part of Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Universe Chapter 1 – Gods and Monsters lineup.
The upcoming Swamp Thing film has seen minimal developments since its announcement, with no official casting for the lead role so far. James Mangold, known for directing Logan and A Complete Unknown, remains attached as the writer and director. Gunn revealed last year on the Happy Sad Confused podcast that Mangold had yet to deliver a script, citing the director’s busy filming schedule, but added that discussions about the film were ongoing.
Rumors circulated that the project might be on hold after Mangold signed a multi-film deal with Paramount. However, representatives clarified his status, confirming to io9 that Mangold
“[remained] attached and available to develop [Swamp Thing] and his other projects.”
Gunn echoed this in a Rolling Stone interview, stating Mangold was “still invested [in the movie]” and added,
“Some things take a long time. We’ll see what happens.”
James Mangold’s Vision for a Gothic Horror Tale
Although plot details remain under wraps, James Mangold has shared his approach to the film in previous interviews. Speaking with Variety, he described the Swamp Thing movie as a
“very simple, clean, Gothic horror movie about this man/monster”
and emphasized that it would be a standalone story. This suggests a moodier, atmospheric take on the character distinct from other DC Universe entries.
Vincent D’Onofrio Voices Desire to Portray Swamp Thing
Fan excitement also grew when Vincent D’Onofrio reacted to a post featuring the Swamp Thing artwork on X, formerly Twitter, telling the fan it was his “turn to join the DCU.” The actor, famed for his role in Daredevil: Born Again, has expressed interest in playing Swamp Thing multiple times in the past. Addressing James Gunn directly, D’Onofrio tweeted,
Tell Gunn. He knows I’m a huge fan.— Vincent D’Onofrio (@vincentdonofrio) February 9, 2026
His statement signals a potential alignment between the actor and the filmmakers, though no official casting decisions have been announced yet.
Implications for the Future of Swamp Thing in the DC Universe
The renewed attention sparked by Gunn’s story and D’Onofrio’s public interest highlights ongoing enthusiasm for the Swamp Thing project within the DC Universe. While development has been slow, the involvement of creative figures like Mangold and Gunn suggests the film remains an important piece of their expanding cinematic world. Fans and observers will be watching closely for updates on casting, script progress, and production timelines, as the project’s Gothic horror direction could make it a distinctive entry among DC’s upcoming releases.
Swamp Thing 👀 pic.twitter.com/xGZY3gTuGQ
— DC Film News (@DCFilmNews) February 9, 2026
Tell Gunn. He knows I'm a huge fan.
— Vincent D'Onofrio (@vincentdonofrio) February 9, 2026
