Guillermo del Toro’s Lost Justice League Dark: Constantine, Batman, and Unseen DC Legends
Guillermo del Toro has shared new details about his canceled Justice League Dark film, revealing John Constantine as the main character, a surprise Batman cameo, and plans for villains like Floronic Man and Swamp Thing.
Guillermo del Toro recently opened up about his abandoned Justice League Dark project, offering a rare glimpse into what could have been a bold new chapter for DC ’s cinematic universe. The acclaimed director discussed his vision for the film, which would have centered on John Constantine and brought together a unique team of supernatural heroes and villains.
Constantine at the Helm
Del Toro revealed that his version of the story would have placed John Constantine front and center.
“It was John Constantine, and the plot made absolute sense, perfect sense,”
he shared on the Happy Sad Confused podcast. He expressed a deep affection for the script, saying,
“I loved that screenplay. I was in love with that screenplay. I thought it brought everybody in effortlessly, you know.”
The film was designed to weave together a cast of mystical characters, with Constantine leading the charge.
Batman ’s Brief Appearance
One of the most intriguing elements del Toro planned was a cameo from Gotham’s iconic vigilante.
“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.”
This fleeting appearance would have connected the supernatural world of Justice League Dark to the broader DC universe in a subtle but memorable way.
Villains and Heroes: Floronic Man and Swamp Thing
Del Toro also had big plans for the film’s antagonists.
“We had the Floronic Man was one of the villains, and it was really great because Swamp Thing was very fleshed out.”
The movie would have explored the dynamic between these two characters, adding depth to the supernatural side of DC’s roster. The original comics follow a team including Constantine, Zatanna, Swamp Thing, Deadman, and Etrigan, all tackling cases too strange for the regular Justice League.
Why the Project Fell Apart
Announced in 2013, del Toro’s adaptation was set to bring the Dark Universe to life, but the project never made it past development. Although no actors were officially cast, del Toro had hoped Doug Jones would play Deadman, believing he was perfect for the role. Doug Liman was also attached to direct at one point. However, as DC Studios shifted focus and Zack Snyder’s universe expanded, the studio became more restrictive, requiring new projects to fit into the evolving extended universe. Del Toro eventually moved on to other films like Crimson Peak and The Shape of Water.
With James Gunn now steering DC’s future, del Toro praised the new direction, especially Gunn’s approach to Superman and the first chapter of the DCU. For now, del Toro isn’t involved in any upcoming DC projects, but fans can still imagine what his Justice League Dark might have looked like.