Del Toro Reveals Constantine Would Have Led Scrapped DC Film

Acclaimed filmmaker Guillermo del Toro has finally pulled back the curtain on his abandoned DC Comics adaptation, sharing fascinating details about what could have been one of the most unique superhero films ever made. Speaking on Josh Horowitz's Happy Sad Confused podcast, the director revealed the intricate plans he had developed for his version of the supernatural team-up movie.

Constantine Takes Center Stage

The project would have centered around the chain-smoking occult detective John Constantine, with del Toro expressing genuine enthusiasm for the character's role. "It was John Constantine, and the plot made absolute sense, perfect sense," the director explained during the interview. "I loved that screenplay. I was in love with that screenplay. I thought it brought everybody in effortlessly, you know."

Del Toro's vision extended beyond just the mystical characters, as he had planned to weave in connections to the broader DC universe. The filmmaker revealed his intention to include a brief appearance by Gotham's Dark Knight. "There was a moment where Batman came in briefly. They said, 'We need a plane,' and he said, 'I know a friend of mine has a plane.' and then you were in Bruce Wayne's office. You know I would have loved to have done that, but now I wouldn't, you know."

Villains and Supporting Cast

The antagonist roster would have featured some lesser-known but compelling DC characters. "We had the Floronic Man was one of the villains, and it was really great because Swamp Thing was very fleshed out," del Toro shared, indicating his plans to give substantial screen time to the plant-based hero.

While no official casting took place, the director had specific actors in mind for certain roles. Doug Jones, a frequent collaborator, was del Toro's choice for Deadman. "Physically, I could do the suit, and I know his mannerisms and all that," Jones had apparently told the director about taking on the ghostly character.

Why the Project Never Materialized

The supernatural team-up film was officially announced in 2013, with Doug Liman also attached to direct at various points. The story would have followed a group of mystically-powered heroes including Zatanna, Swamp Thing, Deadman, and Etrigan as they tackled cases too supernatural for the main Justice League roster.

However, as DC's cinematic universe began taking shape under Zack Snyder's direction, studio executives became more restrictive about standalone projects. Del Toro's film would have needed to fit within the established continuity, which may have limited his creative freedom. The director eventually moved on to other acclaimed projects like Crimson Peak and The Shape of Water.

With James Gunn now overseeing DC's creative direction, del Toro praised the new approach during the podcast, particularly complimenting Gunn's upcoming Superman film and overall vision for the franchise. Currently, the Oscar-winning director has no announced DC projects in development.