Guillermo del Toro, the visionary author and filmmaker behind Pan’s Labyrinth, Hellboy and Pacific Rim, has been talking about a planned Justice League Dark movie for well over a year now. It would be the first film to feature Justice League Dark characters like Constantine, Deadman, The Spectre, and Swamp Thing, amongst others. However, with the recent announcement that a Constantine TV series (Warner Brothers/NBC) is now in the works from Dark Knight and Man of Steel writer David S. Goyer, the status of del Toro’s film is now in question. Is Justice League Dark being put on the back burner or will the Constantine TV show be a key to getting the series showcased on the big screen?

In an interview with IGN, Guillermo del Toro said “We talked about it at DC Comics and Warner, and I feel confident that the two properties can exist at the same time,” he said. “I think that DC is trying to create a great universe of characters, and expand it and make it clear to the audience that it’s a landscape of characters, and not just one that’s dependent on one or two characters.”

Both major comic book powerhouses, DC and Marvel, are actively trying to grow their respective universes through massive budget TV and film properties. Disney’s Marvel and Netflix have joining forces to create four serialized TV shows based on renowned Marvel characters including; Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Iron Fist and Luke Cage. The four series will culminate in an epic mini series event exclusive to Netflix.

DC is also being very active with planned and under development projects including Justice League films and a Batman reboot. A Justice League Dark film from Guillermo Del Toro would be the icing on the cake. The Mexican director’s take on the supernatural and magical side of the DC Universe is bound to be phenomenal. He’s perfect for the role. If you need further proof take a look at del Toro’s latest book, “Cabinet of Curiosities: My Notebooks, Collections, and Other Obsessions” (Amazon, 2013). This magnificent 260-plus page book is filled with the filmmaker’s own notes, drawings, and private collection of sketches and inspirations.

I hope that Warner Bros. and DC can get their ducks in a row allowing the TV series and film projects to coexist. I want to be seeing “Justice League Dark” sooner rather than later.

For Full review Pacific Rim here.

Christophe Chanel