The Lobo Movie Too Extreme for Hollywood: Inside the Canceled DC Project

Few projects in superhero cinema have left fans as frustrated as the abandoned Lobo film, which was once envisioned as a star vehicle for Jason Momoa. Long before the Snyderverse or the DCEU took shape, screenwriter Jason Fuchs crafted a script that pushed the boundaries of violence and dark humor so far, it scared off every major studio. Michael Bay was the last director attached, but the project never got the green light.

During an interview on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Fuchs described his vision for the film as a wild blend of Michael Bay’s explosive style and the irreverence of Guardians of the Galaxy—if Quentin Tarantino had been at the helm.

I had written a ‘Lobo’ script many, many years ago for DC, which of all the things I’ve written that didn’t get made, I think that ‘Lobo’ script is my favorite. Because…the tone of that ‘Lobo’ was ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ if Quentin Tarantino had directed it.

Fuchs admitted the script was so graphic, it made Deadpool look tame by comparison.

Very violent, it made ‘Deadpool‘ look like a Disney family film, which is probably why it ultimately didn’t get made.

Parody and Mayhem: Lobo’s Take on Batman v Superman

Fuchs wrote the script with Momoa in mind, knowing the actor had long dreamed of playing the intergalactic antihero. But the chaos didn’t stop at violence. The script also poked fun at some of DC’s most controversial moments, including a direct parody of the infamous “Martha” scene from Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. In Fuchs’ version, Lobo would have encountered a similar situation—only to respond with brutal indifference, dispatching his opponent and moving on without a second thought. This darkly comedic twist would have taken a sharp jab at the original film’s emotional climax, likely dividing fans but adding a new layer of satire to the DC universe.

Images of Momoa as Lobo, Superman and Batman’s tense standoff, and Deadpool’s signature antics all highlight the kind of over-the-top energy Fuchs wanted to bring to the screen. The script’s willingness to lampoon DC’s own legacy set it apart from anything the studio had attempted before.

Could Lobo Still Find a Place in James Gunn’s DCU?

Lobo is notorious for his ruthless, chaotic nature—a villain who leaves destruction in his wake. Fuchs’ script leaned into this, envisioning a version of the character that would make even the most violent antiheroes look mild. With James Gunn now steering the DCU, some fans wonder if there’s still hope for a Lobo film that doesn’t pull its punches.

Gunn’s success with Peacemaker and his optimistic take on Superman have shown that audiences are open to both gritty and lighthearted stories. Introducing a character as wild as Lobo could offer a sharp contrast to the current tone of the DCU. If Michael Bay were to return to the director’s chair, fans could expect a spectacle filled with explosions and mayhem—something that would truly make Deadpool seem like child’s play.

For now, the fate of Lobo remains uncertain. But the idea of this ultra-violent antihero eventually crossing paths with Supergirl or other DC icons continues to spark the imagination of fans everywhere.