Though he once expressed interest in Swamp Thing, Ex Machina director Alex Garland revealed he will not direct a live-action film based on Alan Moore's run.
At the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo, Garland spoke with ComicBook.com about his desire to helm a Swamp Thing film. "It's complicated for me because I really, really love Swamp Thing," he said. "I wasn't exactly saying that I wanted to do it. The problem for me is that Alan Moore, who wrote the parts of Swamp Thing that I really loved and responded to, has been very, very clear saying he does not want people to adapt his stuff."
Garland went on to cite Moore's aversion to adaptations as the main reason he wouldn't direct a future film starring the Protector of the Green, no matter how badly he wants to.
Moore began writing his run on the Swamp Thing series, titled The Saga of the Swamp Thing, in 1983. His run would go on to become some of the most popular stories featuring the character.
Swamp Thing was recently adapted into a series for the DC Universe streaming service, which was cancelled before the first season was even completed. The first episode of Swamp Thing aired on May 31, 2019, with the final episode bowing on August 2 that year.
Alex Garland is currently working as director/writer on the Hulu miniseries Devs. Garland's writing credits include 2002's 28 Days Later, 2007's 28 Weeks Later and 2010's Never Let Me Go.