James Wan is a prolific horror director and that’s why he should make a DCEU horror film featuring none other than the “Master of Fear,” Scarecrow. The 44-year-old Australian filmmaker boasts a long history with Warner Bros and as a master of horror, is the perfect director for a horror-inspired DC film. The DC universe is ripe with horror-adjacent characters who have yet to be fully explored in live-action, though none as popular nor terrifying as Scarecrow. Nonetheless, there have been horror projects in development over the last several years at Warner Bros, though each has eventually been canned by the studio.
James Wan had been developing an Aquaman spin-off set in the world of the Trench, which was featured briefly in Aquaman near the tail-end of the film. The Trench would have explored the terrifying trench creatures which attempted to feed on Mera and Aquaman as they journeyed toward Neptune’s Trident. Unfortunately, this film was shelved by Warner Bros around the same time as Ava DuVernay’s New Gods film. Still, perhaps the most disappointing horror project to be passed over by Warner Bros is Guillermo Del Toro’s Justice League Dark. This project would have introduced Swamp Thing, Constantine, Zatanna, and characters to the DCEU.
Though the film never happened, Swamp Thing did eventually make his debut in the DC Universe Original Swamp Thing executive produced by James Wan. Unfortunately, the Gary Dauberman and Mark Verheiden project was plagued by production issues and was never renewed for a second season. Nonetheless, this horror-centric project was met with rave reviews and showcased audiences’ appetite for the darker side of the DC Universe. The subsequent success of Joaquin Phoenix’s dark character-driven Joker also proved a villain’s ability to succeed on the big screen under the right circumstances. Therefore, a James Wan-directed Scarecrow film would be perfect for the DCEU.
Why Scarecrow Is The Best Character For A DC Horror Movie
Scarecrow has been one of Batman’s most terrifying villains since his debut in World’s Finest Comics way back in 1943. Now, over 70 years later, the character remains a daunting fixture of Gotham City. In fact, at the time of this writing, Scarecrow has Gotham City on its knees in the DC Comics event Fear State. By-and-large Scarecrow is an underrated villain whose ability to manipulate fear is frequently overlooked. Despite the character appearing in numerous films, television series, and video games, Dr. Jonathan Crane has yet to see his full potential explored on film. Christopher Nolan’s interpretation of the character in Batman Begins barely scratched the surface of the fear Scarecrow is capable of inducing.
In fact, the Arkham games offer perhaps the best look at the sort of nightmares possible with the villain. Consequently, this is why Scarecrow is the perfect character for a DC horror film. Allowing Scarecrow to headline a horror film would provide the opportunity to fully explore the effects of his devastating fear toxin. This toxin capable of inducing one’s worst nightmares could create twisted and frightening hallucinations for characters. Forcing victims to live out their deepest fears is far scarier than any haunting or slasher and definitely within James Wan’s horror territory. Though hauntings and serial killers are frightening in their own right, Crane’s intelligence and twisted application of science give Scarecrow an edge in the world of horror icons.
James Wan Knows How To Reimagine Characters
Obviously, over the course of 70+ years, Scarecrow has been reimagined a number of times, and that is part of the DC villain's staying power. He is able to consistently be updated and adapted for modern storytelling. This is part of what makes him the ideal character for James Wan to turn into DC’s first major horror film. Wan knows how to take a property and reimagine it in a way that feels fresh. He was able to take Zack Snyder’s Aquaman and breathe new life into the character’s world. He ensured Aquaman and his supporting cast weren’t seen as the laughable characters who pop culture had left seen as the dorkiest members of the DC Universe.
Wan’s talent for reimaging characters and worlds would be perfect for a Scarecrow headlined film, as the director is certainly capable of filling out Dr. Jonathan Crane’s history and passion for the psychology of fear. After all, Wan’s work with The Conjuring universe, Saw, and Insidious prove his ability to create a world ripe with storytelling possibilities.
How Scarecrow Can Combine Everything James Wan Is Great At
There are two things James Wan does exceptionally well at: crafting unique twist-laden horror tales and explosive action. While Wan has not had many opportunities to showcase his aptitude for high-octane action, Furious 7 and Aquaman prove he is a multi-talented filmmaker. The action sequences in those films were creative and exciting and worked to reveal who the characters are and what they desire. Essentially, they accomplished what every good action set-piece should and propelled the stories forward. Nevertheless, Wan is still a horror director first and foremost and is, therefore, the most qualified director for a DCEU horror film.
A Scarecrow film would prioritize horror and suspense over action but would undoubtedly include plenty of action woven through the narrative. This would likely include the inevitable pursuit by either the GCPD or Batman as they hunt down the former Arkham psychiatrist. This balance of horror and action is the perfect marriage of all the things James Wan excels at. Between the fear toxin and any Gotham City do-gooders, a Scarecrow horror film set somewhere in the DCEU would likely be a critical and box office success for Warner Bros.
Though a Scarecrow horror movie does not yet appear to be on the DCEU horizon, it could well be the best way to expand the universe, especially with James Wan at the helm. His experience in both horror and superhero genres demonstrates he is more than capable of the project. Moreover, Scarecrow and his fear toxin have the potential to become an iconic horror villain, in line with the likes of Freddy Kruger and Pennywise. It’s time James Wan and the DCEU embraces the dark corners of the DC Universe and Scarecrow is just the villain to introduce audiences to the horror which exists in DC comics.
