Emerald Fennell has shared insights into why her script for the DC superhero film Zatanna did not proceed. The Oscar-winning director explained that her version strayed too far from the genre's conventions. She described the project as a personal reflection during a challenging time.
In a recent episode of the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Emerald Fennell discussed her experience writing the script for Zatanna, a DC Comics character. Tapped in March 2021 by Warner Bros. and Bad Robot to pen the superhero movie, Fennell had just completed her directorial debut, A Promising Young Woman, which earned her an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
Fennell revealed that her approach to Zatanna was unconventional. 'I think it was demented because I was probably going through it at the time,' she said. Coming off the intensity of her previous project, she aimed to create a superhero story she could connect with emotionally: one centered on a woman in the midst of a nervous breakdown. This resulted in a script that was 'really dark' and 'probably too far away from the genre.'
She expressed regret over not delivering what the producers expected, despite their supportive response. 'I love JJ [Abrams] so much, and he took a chance offering me to do it, and I really wanted to deliver something amazing for them,' Fennell noted. She has avoided rereading the script, feeling it fell short, though she wonders if she would view it more kindly now.
Zatanna, created by Gardner Fox and Murphy Anderson, first appeared in November 1964's Hawkman issue. The magician possesses powers inherited from her father, Zatara, and embarks on a quest to find him. She has ties to the Justice League, a childhood connection with Batman, and a romantic link to John Constantine. The character was portrayed by Serinda Swan across three seasons of the CW series Smallville.
Fennell's reflections highlight the challenges of adapting established comic book properties while infusing personal vision.