HBO Max has scrapped its plans to release a live-action Zatanna movie.
The long-rumored project, which was being pushed by J.J. Abrams, has been nixed by HBO Max, with the streaming giant reportedly not interested in creating a home for the live-action film about the magic-wielding Justice League superhero. The Star Wars prequel film director and Hollywood producer reportedly "had a few setbacks" when it comes to the supernatural DC projects, with a number -- including Zatanna -- being "scrapped" by the streaming service, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The Zatanna Movie's Disappearing Act
Zatanna, which has been generating exciting rumblings since 2020, has offered little firm news released about its production. With that said, there may be hope for fans of the Mistress of Magic as it's also been reported that the film is now being shopped around Hollywood to other streaming services. At this time it seems that there will be little movement on Zatanna until a new home is found since it has yet to generate any significant steam. A DCEU adaptation of Zatanna was confirmed in March 2021 with Emerald Fennell (Killing Eve, Promising Young Woman) attached as the film's writer.
"It’s something that we’ve been working on for a while," Fennell said in April 2021. "I’ve been speaking to Bad Robot [Productions], who are amazing. You want to get the first bit right, which is the script, before you think of anything else." She added, "I’m such a genre fan. I’m a fan of witchcraft, magic, and comic books, and this is scary and intense."
Speaking previously about the project, Fennell said that penning a movie around the Justice League Dark stalwart was exciting as there was so much dark and interesting content she could pursue with Zatanna's character. The actor and writer said she was hoping the film would provide "an opportunity to make something really quite dark," and that writing a script around "something big and scary" would be a lot of fun. Alongside this, she said that her main concern around the film's creation was making sure that it was in good shape for fans. "The main thing for me is making sure that it’s really, really good," Fennell said. "I’m such a genre fan. I’m a fan of witchcraft, magic, and comic books, and this is scary and intense."
Making her comic book debut in 1964 in Hawkman #4, Zatanna burst onto the DC scene under the supervision of writer Gardner Fox and artist Murphy Anderson. She is the daughter of Zatara the Magician, a Golden Age DC hero. Going by many monikers, Zatanna is known as the Mistress of Magic and Princess of Prestidigitation among other names. A veteran member of both the Justice League and Justice League Dark, Zatanna is known for casting her powerful spell incantations backward.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter