Guillermo del Toro’s long-anticipated Justice League Dark film, once announced in 2012 as Heaven Sent, was ultimately abandoned after his departure in 2015. The filmmaker, known for merging supernatural themes with superhero stories, reportedly had a vision for the movie within the DC Universe but has since accepted leaving it unmade. This revelation sheds light on what could have been a unique addition to the superhero genre, aligning closely with the Guillermo del Toro Justice League concept.
Understanding the Concept Behind Justice League Dark
Justice League Dark was intended to highlight the supernatural side of the DC Universe by assembling a team of its mystical characters, including John Constantine, Zatanna, Swamp Thing, Deadman, and Etrigan the Demon. Since del Toro’s previous work on his Hellboy films combined magic and heroism, his attachment to the project seemed like a natural fit. The team was designed to explore darker, mystical narratives distinct from traditional superhero stories.
During a recent appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast hosted by Josh Horowitz, del Toro shared that the story would have centered around John Constantine, the chain-smoking exorcist known for his cynical outlook. Swamp Thing, representing the elemental force called The Green—which encompasses all plant life on Earth—was planned to play a significant role. The villain Florence, known as the Floronic Man and a foe of Swamp Thing, was slated to be part of the film’s antagonistic forces.
Although del Toro had not progressed to casting, his longtime collaborator Doug Jones was envisioned as the ghostly acrobat Deadman, a character who appears as a spectral figure cursed to wander while seeking justice. Jones’s history of portraying creatures in del Toro’s films, such as the Faun and Pale Man in Pan’s Labyrinth, made him an ideal choice.
Physically I could do the suit [for Deadman] and I know [Jones’] mannerisms and all that,
Guillermo del Toro, Filmmaker
Batman’s Planned Role in Del Toro’s Supernatural World
Announced shortly before the broader DC Extended Universe (DCEU) formation, del Toro’s Justice League Dark may have struggled to fit Warner Bros.’ overarching plans, leading to its cancellation. Were it completed, it might have integrated with Zack Snyder’s DCEU, potentially casting Ben Affleck’s Batman in a guest role.
Del Toro explained the Batman cameo on Happy Sad Confused:
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.
Guillermo del Toro, Filmmaker
Batman’s inclusion would have reflected his connections to several members of the Justice League Dark. He has intersected with Swamp Thing in Alan Moore’s Saga of the Swamp Thing, appeared alongside Zatanna in episodes of Batman: The Animated Series, and maintained alliances with Jason Blood, Etrigan’s human host, who lives in Gotham City. Batman’s gothic, shadowy nature fits well within del Toro’s dark style, making this crossover particularly compelling for fans.
Del Toro’s aesthetic sensibilities align with the Dark Knight’s brooding character, and there is speculation that he might have adapted stories such as Peter Milligan and Kieron Dwyer’s Batman: Dark Knight, Dark City, which focus on Batman uncovering supernatural secrets beneath Gotham’s surface.
Characters and Inspirations Shaping Del Toro’s Vision
In 2013, del Toro identified characters like Etrigan, Zatanna and her father Zatara, and the Spectre—a vengeful angel—as pivotal for the project, then titled Dark Universe. In a 2021 podcast, he described Zatanna as “effortlessly powerful” and named Etrigan the Demon among his favorites. Etrigan, created by comic legend Jack Kirby, is a demon bound to a mortal named Jason Blood through the magic of Merlin. His rhyming speech includes the well-known incantation:
Gone, gone, the form of man. Rise the demon, Etrigan!
Jason Blood’s transformation phrase
Interestingly, Etrigan’s concept echoed earlier studio notes del Toro had encountered on his Hellboy films, where protagonists were suggested to shift between human and demonic forms. He also planned to introduce Klarion the Witch Boy, another of Etrigan’s adversaries.
An important emotional thread in del Toro’s script was inspired by Alan Moore’s work on Swamp Thing, particularly the tender romance between Swamp Thing and Abby Arcane, which mirrored a “Beauty and the Beast” dynamic. Del Toro’s love for intertwining gothic romance and supernatural elements previously manifested in Hellboy II: The Golden Army, where the romantic bond between Hellboy (played by Ron Perlman) and Liz Sherman (Selma Blair) echoes this motif. Likewise, the antagonist Nuada, the Misanthropic Elf Prince (played by Luke Goss), shares thematic similarities with the Floronic Man, emphasizing environmental conflict and dark mysticism.
The Unfulfilled Potential of Guillermo del Toro’s Dark DC Universe
Warner Bros. and DC Studios have since moved forward with other adaptations within the magical corner of the DC Universe, including a new Swamp Thing movie currently in the works. However, many speculate that these upcoming projects may not capture the distinctive blend of horror, romance, and intricate character dynamics that del Toro had envisioned. His version of Justice League Dark promised to deliver a story weighted with gothic atmosphere and supernatural depth, bridging favored comic book tales with his unique filmmaking style.
Though the movie never materialized, the glimpse into Guillermo del Toro’s plans offers fans a tantalizing look at what might have been one of the most imaginative, haunting entries in the superhero genre, combining rich mythology, emotional resonance, and visual creativity in the DC Universe.
One of those lost projects I’ll always wonder about. Here’s @RealGDT on JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK.
Full video at https://t.co/e84WokCDhq
Listen for free here! https://t.co/rhgVzU4aur pic.twitter.com/ThaVgBmwu5
— Josh Horowitz (@joshuahorowitz) December 23, 2021
