It appears that Doug Liman and the comic book genre just isn’t meant to be. No less than a year after vacating Fox’s X-Men spinoff Gambit, Variety has reported that Liman has abdicated directing duties on Warner Bros’ long-in-development adaptation of the obscure DC Comics property Dark Universe. Otherwise more commonly known as Justice League Dark.
With the report highlighting that Liman’s departure was sealed by a scheduling conflict, Liman has also been attached to direct the young-adult adaptation of Chaos Walking with Daisy Ridley and Tom Holland set to star. Earlier this month, distributors Lionsgate gave said project an official green-light, while a sequel to Liman’s 2014 film Edge of Tomorrow was also given the go-ahead. With both projects, Liman’s slate could not accommodate much more and with the film firmly still in development, Dark Universe would not fit with Liman’s schedule.
Yet, undeterred by Liman’s withdrawal, it is believed that Warner Bros has wasted little time in beginning the search for an immediate replacement. With THR claiming Andrés Muschietti, who has recently completed the highly anticipated horror tentpole It for Warner Bros, to be one of those under consideration. While Meet The Movie Press have stated that Wild Tales helmer Damián Szifron to also be in the mix.
However, the state of Dark Universe remains scarce. It is known that Michael Gilio is penning the screenplay. While coveted producer Scott Rudin is also attached to the project. But with a project that has been stagnating in development for years and within the confines of a DC slate that is inconsistent to say the least, it’d be fair to acknowledge that those awaiting the project may have to be patient.
Dark Universe centres on a supernatural rendition of the Justice League. With said team traditionally consisting of arcane characters such as John Constantine, Zatanna, Swamp Thing, Deadman and Etrigan the Demon. It is believed that the film is set to play a major role in the future of the wider DC Extended Universe. As more news unfolds, it will be reported here.
For Doug Liman, his latest feature The Wall starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson and John Cena will have its Australian premiere at the upcoming Sydney Film Festival before a nationwide release on August 3rd. While his second collaboration with Tom Cruise in the drug-running drama American Made is expected later this year.
As for the DC Extended Universe, Wonder Woman opens in Australian cinemas this Thursday to incredibly warm reviews, with Justice League slated to follow in November.
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