Unused concept art from Joseph Kahn's Justice League Dark pitch has the makings of a great superhero movie. The DC film universe looks to be moving forward despite Justice League's downfall. Warner Bros. recently showed off a film slate of DC titles at CCXP that promises several new movies. One of these films is Justice League Dark, an ensemble superhero movie that would introduce more mystical elements to the universe. Warner Bros. has repeatedly shown an interest in the movie, but nothing has transpired so far.
Justice League Dark has lost multiple directors at this point, and is still searching for the next one. The last update on the project saw Gerard Johnstone join as the writer. Even with him refining the film's story, the roster of characters has long included Constantine, Swamp Thing, Deadman, Zatanna, and Etrigan. If director Joseph Kahn got his pitch approved, it would have featured a talented cast.
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Joseph Kahn released concept art by Justin Goby Fields from Ironklad Studios used for a pitch of Justice League Dark he shared with Warner Bros. two years ago. The art covers all of the aforementioned characters, and wishful casting for a few. You can see the art below, that features Dan Stevens as John Constantine, Natalie Dormer as Zatanna, and Chiwetel Ejiofor as Jason Blood aka Etrigan the Demon. He also shared an animation test for Swamp Thing.
I pitched on JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK two years ago. Here are some designs. First, Swamp Thing. pic.twitter.com/lkPODPLCXG— Joseph Kahn (@JosephKahn) December 16, 2017
Some of these have my wishlist for actors at the time. Here’s Constantine. pic.twitter.com/byFjYlhSus— Joseph Kahn (@JosephKahn) December 16, 2017
Zatanna. She does wear a top hat with this. pic.twitter.com/v61rsS6QOM— Joseph Kahn (@JosephKahn) December 16, 2017
Deadman. pic.twitter.com/EDQJSxD2rd— Joseph Kahn (@JosephKahn) December 16, 2017
And Jason Blood. pic.twitter.com/wvdpjU0eNu— Joseph Kahn (@JosephKahn) December 16, 2017
My animation test for Swamp Thing. Wanted to demonstrate the fireflies that orbited him. https://t.co/99yBv09y4C— Joseph Kahn (@JosephKahn) December 16, 2017
There's no telling what type of movie Kahn pitched to WB, but this concept art sure is compelling. Even if WB approved Kahn's vision, there is no guarantee these actors would've signed on for Justice League Dark, but it's a good look regardless. Stevens since signed on for Legion to take on his comic book role. Ejiofor also boarded a comic book movie with Doctor Strange. Dormer however hasn't been tapped for a big franchise role yet and is primed for such a role - even if she had a small one in Captain America: The First Avenger.
Warner Bros.' could ultimately revisit Kahn's idea depending on the response to these images. He is currently promoting his movie Bodied, which has received plenty of critical praise. It is a small movie, but some of the bigger blockbusters in recent memory have come from directors that were not previously very well known. Since Kahn may no longer be up for the film, these images do at least provide some look at what Justice League Dark could possibly be. If this project is going to be part of DC's future slate, it hopefully won't be too long before we find out more.
MORE: Guillermo Del Toro Explains Initial Justice League Dark Inspirations
Source: Joseph Kahn
