The script for "Dark Universe," director Guillermo del Toro's oft-mentioned take on DC Comics' "Justice League Dark" series, has been handed in to Warner Bros., Forbes has reported. It's expected to be absorbed by studio execs over the long holiday weekend.
It is a major development for the project, first discussed by del Toro in November of 2012, and a good sign for fans disappointed by its absence from the slate of upcoming DC films Warner Bros.' recently publicized. As the director indicated in July, and as noted author Neil Gaiman seemed to confirm last month, the studio is keeping its superhero properties separate from their supernatural assets like "The Sandman" and "Dark Universe."
Akin to "Justice League Dark," del Toro's film centers on characters from the occult corners of the DC Universe, with the director verifying the presence of Swamp Thing, Deadman, Zatanna and, of course, John Constantine.
When solicited last month for an update on the project, del Toro answered, "Well, I know they are basically behind closed doors, determining the destiny of the whole DC Universe. And that is way above my pay rate." Nevertheless, he made it obvious he's only waiting for the studio go-ahead.
If development on this film does indeed move forward, "Dark Universe" will have to prevail over two rather large obstacles: the studio's movie slate, which calls for the release of "at least" 10 DC adaptations through 2020, and del Toro's own full slate of projects, including a "Pan's Labyrinth" musical, "Crimson Peak," "Pacific Rim 2," FX's "The Strain," and an adaptation of "Pinocchio."
