Doug Liman Leaves X-Men Spinoff Gambit To Direct DC Films Justice League Dark

Doug Liman has left the X-Men spinoff film Gambit and is now set to direct Warner Bros and DC Films Dark Universe aka Justice League Dark.

Warner Bros have refused to comment, but according to Variety Scott Rudin is to produce with Michael Gilio writing the script.

You may know Liman from directing films such as Edge of Tomrrow/Live, Die, Repeat, starring Tom Cruise.

IMAGE VIA WARNER BROS

While the plot of the film is being kept under wraps or maybe they don’t have one yet, the core story from the comic books centres on the dark and magical elements of the DC Universe and this Justice League consists of John Constantine, Zatanna, Swamp Thing, Deadman and Etrigan the Demon.

IMAGES VIA DC COMICS

News on a Justice League Dark film has been around for a while with Guillermo del Toro originally developing the project and wrote the script and set to helm it. However, the film was put on the shelve after del Toro got sidetracked by other projects. It's still unknown if del Toro will have any involvment in this film as a producer.

The last year producing heavyweight Rudin stepped in to produce and Warner Bros were looking at a couple of horror directors as well as a rumoured cast was also doing the rounds.

So where does this leave Gambit? According to The Hollywood Reporter, 20th Century Fox is still intent to start production in January with Josh Zetumer on writing duties and they also add the split was a “mutual parting of ways.”

IMAGE VIA MARVEL

On the other hand, this isn’t the first time this spinoff has had issues, Liman signed on to the project because original director Rupert Wyatt left and then it’s had multiple pushbacks – shooting was originally back in Autumn 2015, then moved to early 2016. The script has had multiple rewrites which moved shooting to now early 2017.

These delays led to Liman directing a small – indie film for Amazon Studios called The Wall, which has finished shooting.

So no wonder Liman left a project with so many issues to join a studio (despite what people think or say on social media) that has a plan for their franchise. It’s just a matter of time Channing Tatum leaves as well and I won’t be surprised if he becomes Shazam!

The reason why the film will be called Dark Universe instead of Justice League Dark is because WB doesn't want to confuse audiences when they see this film and think Superman and The Flash will show up.

Not only will his film be in the same DC Cinematic Universe and will be a major player.

IMAGE VIA DC COMICS