Director Doug Liman Ditches X-Men Spin-off Gambit For DC’s Dark Universe

Looks like Doug Liman is trading one long in-development superhero movie for another.

Liman, who had been attached to call the shots on 20th Century Fox’s ‘X-Men’ spin-off ‘Gambit,’ has now stepped down from that project in favour of Warner Bros/DC’s ‘Dark Universe,’ otherwise known as ‘Justice League Dark.’

Variety broke the news that the director – whose credits include ‘Edge of Tomorrow,’ ‘Mr and Mrs Smith’ and ‘The Bourne Identity’ – will now take the helm on the film which was initially set to be directed by Guillermo del Toro, who worked on the first draft of the screenplay.

As the title suggests, ‘Dark Universe’ will centre on a selection of the more macabre heroes from the DC pantheon, including John Constantine, Swamp Thing, Zatanna and Deadman. The latest draft of the screenplay is being penned by Michael Gilio, whilst Scott Rudin produces.

Two low-budget ‘Swamp Thing’ movies were made in the 1980s, whilst Keanu Reeves took the lead in the 2005 ‘Constantine’ movie. More recently, Matt Ryan took the role in the short-lived ‘Constantine’ TV show.

So, good news for ‘Dark Universe,’ whose fate had long been in question since del Toro backed out – but it doesn’t necessarily bode well for Fox’s ‘Gambit.’

Liman had been the second director attached to the troubled ‘X-Men’ spin-off, set to star Channing Tatum in the title role. Initially, ‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes’ director Rupert Wyatt had been set to direct, and the film was first scheduled to hit cinemas this autumn.

‘Gambit’ does not have a confirmed release date at present – but then, neither does ‘Dark Universe.’

Picture Credit: DC, WENN

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