Could a 'Justice League Dark' crossover be in the works uniting HBO Max, The CW, and DC Universe projects?
After its cancellation on the DC Universe platform, 'Swamp Thing' is now on its way to The CW and that creates some interesting possibilities. While the Arrowverse has been quite successful with all its sci-fi, superhero madness, the magic side of things hasn't really risen to its full potential but that could change soon enough.
Whether a heavy horror show like 'Swamp Thing' is a good fit for the family-friendly network is whole other debate but it is interesting when you realize that John Constantine, a character closely connected to the Swamp God and protector of nature, has been kicking around in the Arrowverse for quite some time. Matt Ryan's version of the character has been quite a hit on 'DC's Legends of Tomorrow' but his time on the show could be running out with an HBO Max 'Justice Lague Dark' show in the works.
Announced back in April 2020, not much is known about the 'Justice League Dark' show other than that it's being developed for the streaming service by JJ Abrams' Bad Robot Productions. Both Swamp Thing and Constantine have been important members of the magic-oriented Justice League team in the comics so they are expected to have some sort of role to play on the show.
This brings up the possibility that The CW's next big Arrowverse crossover could be a set up for the 'Justice League Dark' show. The second Arrowverse crossover 'Heroes Join Forces' set up 'Legends of Tomorrow' so it's not outside the realm of possibility that the JLD show may get kicked off with a crossover too and this could further strengthen the ties between HBO Max, The CW and DC Universe shows.
With HBO Max, DC Universe and The CW share business ties, this wouldn't be too hard to arrange. And considering how much attention such a crossover could bring to all three, it wouldn't be the worst idea.
The last Arrowverse crossover 'Crisis on Infinite Earths' established that the DC Universe shows are part of the Arrowverse's shared multiverse so it's just as likely that the DC shows planned for HBO Max may get placed within the same multiverse as well. Whether that means Constantine and Swamp Thing are going to be a part of the show or not, we don't know yet, but they could at least have a recurring role, popping in whenever the main team has a need for them.
In any case, we've waited a long time to see the Justice League Dark get their live-action debut, especially since their animated adaptations have been pretty amazing. And if the JLD show can bridge the HBO Max DC shows and the Arrowverse, all the better.