Fennell’s exclusive script for Zatanna, the forgotten DC movie Journey
Emerald Fennell, best known for her work on Promising Young Woman and Saltburn, has revealed fascinating details about her approach to the script for DC film Zatanna, a project that promised to be a wonderful addition to the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) but, unfortunately, never came to fruition.
A project in limbo
In the year In 2021, Warner Bros. announced that a Zatanna project was in development for HBO Max, with Fennell to write the script and JJ Abrams to produce. However, on a recent Happy Sad Confused podcast with Josh Horowitz, Fennell confirmed that Warner Bros. Discovery’s Zatanna movie project has been canceled.
Fennell admits he’s no expert in the superhero genre. “It’s not a genre I’m naturally drawn to,” he says. “I asked myself, how can I make a movie like this for people like me, who probably don’t know much and won’t buy a ticket in the first place.” Despite this, he found Zatanna to be a “really cool” character.
According to Fennell, the writing process is characterized by the complexities of conventional film studies. “In the end, I wrote a script that I thought was reasonably crazy. In a good way, I think. In the end, I think the whole universe changed,” he commented on his experience working with JJ Abrams and his team.
Who is Zatanna?
Created by Gardner Fox and Murphy Anderson, Zatanna first appeared in 1964’s Hackman #4. Zatanna, daughter of the sorceress Zatara, has special magical abilities and is known for summoning magic by speaking backwards. Despite being a member of the Justice League, he frequently teams up with the Justice League Dark, who specializes in supernatural threats.
Despite being an iconic character, Zatanna has yet to appear in a live-action DC Studios film, although she has appeared in several animated series over the years. Serinda Swan played her character in the television series Smallville.
More than a witch in the DC universe
Zatanna, with her unique style and magical powers, has distinguished herself widely among the DC Comics characters. Not only is she an accomplished witch, but her beauty and sophistication have made her an icon among fans of the genre. His ability to cast spells by speaking backwards, which adds mystery and originality to his character, attracts readers and viewers alike. Over the years, Zatanna has become a key figure in the DC mythology, from her comic book appearances to animated series and television shows.
Comparing Zatanna to other DC magical characters, such as John Constantine or Doctor Fate, highlights her unique approach to magic and her role in the superhero universe. While characters like Constantine explore magic from a darker and more emotional perspective, Zatanna offers a more enlightened and accessible perspective, albeit without the deep, inner conflicts. This duality in the character has allowed writers to explore a variety of narratives, from mystical adventures to more personal and emotional stories that showcase the character’s richness and versatility.
Another serious cancellation
Zatanna’s cancellation marks another example of big DC projects falling by the wayside, leaving fans wondering what could have been. Fennell’s “mildly insane” take on the film promises to offer a fresh and unique take on the world of superheroes, which will be especially appealing to those who, like her, aren’t naturally drawn to the genre. With the constant evolution of the DCEU, the fates of characters like Zatanna are unknown, but curiosity and interest remain alive in the fan community.