Guillermo del Toro’s Lost DC Film: Constantine at the Helm, Batman in the Shadows

Guillermo del Toro has shed light on his abandoned plans for a Justice League Dark film, offering a glimpse into what might have been a rather distinctive addition to the DC universe. The director, known for his flair for the fantastical, recently discussed the project’s direction and the characters he intended to bring to the screen.

Constantine in the Spotlight

Del Toro revealed that the story would have revolved around John Constantine, a character he felt was the natural choice to anchor the narrative.

“It was John Constantine, and the plot made absolute sense, perfect sense,”

he remarked during an appearance on Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast.

“I loved that screenplay. I was in love with that screenplay. I thought it brought everybody in effortlessly, you know.”

His enthusiasm for the script was clear, as he described how the ensemble of supernatural heroes would have come together seamlessly.

A Brief Encounter with the Dark Knight

One of the more intriguing elements del Toro had in mind was a fleeting appearance by Gotham’s most famous resident.

“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.”

The cameo would have offered a subtle nod to the wider DC world, without overshadowing the film’s supernatural focus.

Villains and Unseen Heroes

Del Toro also had clear ideas about the antagonists.

“We had the Floronic Man was one of the villains, and it was really great because Swamp Thing was very fleshed out.”

The film would have drawn from the Justice League Dark comics, which follow a team including Constantine, Zatanna, Swamp Thing, Deadman, and Etrigan as they tackle cases beyond the reach of the traditional Justice League.

Although casting never progressed, del Toro had a particular actor in mind for Deadman.

“Physically, I could do the suit, and I know his mannerisms and all that.”

Doug Jones, a frequent collaborator, was his preferred choice for the role. At one stage, Doug Liman was also attached to direct, but the project never advanced beyond the planning stages.

Studio Shifts and Changing Tides

The film, which at one point carried the working title Dark Universe, ultimately stalled. Del Toro moved on to other ventures, such as Crimson Peak and The Shape of Water. The shifting landscape at DC Studios may have played a part in the project’s demise. As Zack Snyder’s vision for the DC universe expanded, the studio became more cautious, with del Toro noting that his film would have needed to fit within the new extended universe framework.

With James Gunn now steering DC’s future, there appears to be greater flexibility in how characters are introduced. Del Toro, for his part, praised Gunn’s approach to Superman and the broader direction of the franchise’s next chapter. However, he is not currently involved in any further DC projects.