Emerald Fennell, known for her Oscar-winning work, has opened up about the difficulties she faced developing the Zatanna movie, revealing that her approach diverged too much from traditional superhero storytelling. After five years and several other projects, Fennell believes that her version of the DC sorceress did not align closely enough with genre expectations, contributing to the film’s failure to move forward.
Personal Struggles Shaped the Film’s Unconventional Tone
Speaking on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Fennell described her script as
“probably too far away from the genre,”
explaining that it was influenced by her own emotional state at the time. She said,
“I think it was demented because I was probably going through it at the time.”
Reflecting on her process following A Promising Young Woman, she aimed to craft a superhero movie that connected emotionally with her own experiences, portraying
“the woman in the middle of a nervous breakdown.”
This perspective led to a script that felt darker and less typical of the superhero genre.
Fennell’s Dark and Difficult Script
Fennell admitted she found it challenging to revisit the script, describing it as “really dark” and difficult to read again. She expressed gratitude toward J.J. Abrams, who backed her on the project, stating,
“I love JJ [Abrams] so much, and he took a chance offering me to do it, and I really wanted to deliver something amazing for them.”
However, she revealed lingering doubts about whether the draft met the expectations of Warner Bros. and Bad Robot, admitting she wished she had created exactly what they wanted.
“I always felt like I hadn’t quite maybe delivered the thing that they wanted,”
she said.
The Origin and Legacy of Zatanna in DC Comics
The Zatanna character, created by Gardner Fox and artist Murphy Anderson, first appeared in 1964’s Hawkman comic. As a powerful magician, Zatanna embarks on quests linked to her father, Zatara, using her magical abilities. She has a rich history within the DC Universe, having been associated with the Justice League, a childhood connection to Batman, and a romantic link to John Constantine. Zatanna was portrayed by Serinda Swan across three seasons on the CW’s Smallville series, further cementing the character’s presence in popular culture.
The Impact of Fennell’s Zatanna Attempt on Future Projects
Fennell’s involvement with Zatanna was first revealed in March 2021, following the critical acclaim of her directing debut, A Promising Young Woman. Although her version of the film did not come to fruition, her reflection on the creative process highlights the complexities of adapting comic book characters through deeply personal lenses. The experience underscores the balance required between innovation and audience expectations within the superhero genre, hinting that future DC projects may continue to evolve while learning from such ambitious attempts.
