Dark Universe

After Guillermo del Toro dropped out of the Dark Universe adaptation for DC and Warner Bros., it became yet another in a growing list of potentially cool movies that were never made and the future of the project was uncertain. Now it seems that Dark Universe has been resurrected, with Edge of Tomorrow director Doug Liman replacing del Toro, who will remain involved as producer and screenwriter.

Although Guillermo del Toro parted ways with Warner Bros. over his vision for Justice League Dark (aka Dark Universe), the studio is still reportedly planning on moving forward with del Toro’s script — but without (almost) everything else that would make it a del Toro film. The other day rumors began circulating about potential cast members, and now comes word that WB is eyeing possible directors for the project as well.

Guillermo del Toro’s exit from Justice League Dark (aka Dark Universe) at Warner Bros. left many confused as to how — or if — the studio would proceed without him. But with the studio’s anti-hero blockbuster Suicide Squad generating excitement, a new rumor suggests that not only is WB moving forward with del Toro’s script, but they’ve also got their eye on at least a couple of potential stars.

In news that should surprise absolutely no one, Guillermo del Toro has dropped out of the proposed Justice League Dark movie. Or the Dark Universe movie. Or whatever everyone decided it was called. Every few years or so, del Toro tends to take a look at the dozen or so projects he’s spearheaded, gets realistic for a few seconds, and then shakes a few of them off. His take on the darker side of the DC comic book universe, which is still in the early stages of development, is the latest victim of his busy schedule.

It’s still not 100% confirmed that we’ll finally see Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Justice League Dark’ on the big screen—recently, the filmmaker confirmed that the script has been delivered to Warner Bros. and they’re just waiting on an official green light. But for those anxious to know which of the dark superheroes we might see in the film, the lineup has apparently been revealed.

When Warner Bros. announced their big slate of upcoming DC superhero films a few months ago, we all pretty much assumed that these movies and characters would operate in a shared universe. Given the ‘Justice League’ connection, how could they not? What we haven’t been clear on is whether some of the other DC heroes, like Shazam and Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Dark Universe’ characters, would also inhabit the same universe. As if sensing the little question marks over our heads, DC Comics has confirmed what we all assumed: Yes, their WB superhero movies will operate in a shared universe.

The shared universe concept is wildly popular right now, thanks in large part to Marvel’s success with their cinematic universe. DC and Warner Bros. are trying to catch up, having announced a full schedule of comic book films through 2020 and taking a very similar approach (while basically viewing the TV counterparts of their big screen superheroes as separate, alternate entities). Guillermo del Toro recently completed work on his script for the ‘Justice League Dark’ film, which we assumed would function separately from the main WB superhero universe, but new comments from the director imply that his film will also be a part of WB’s larger shared universe plans.

We've been hearing a lot about this 'Justice League Dark' movie Guillermo del Toro is planning, the latest update coming from the director himself confirming he is indeed working on a script to pitch to Warner Bros. Coming off of 'The Dark Knight Rises' and planning its own answer to the 'Avengers' phenomenon (i.e. that 'Justice League' movie), the studio seems committed to the development of superhero movies, especially with 'Man of Steel' on the horizon, so there's is a possibility this project could see the light of day. In the event that should happen, one question needs to be answered: who the hell are these superheroes?