Before breaking out with 2022’s Barbarian and becoming one of the most in-demand horror directors in Hollywood, Weapons director Zach Cregger wrote a DC movie titled Henchmen.
While the project has yet to be pitched to DC Studios, it’s a script Cregger has called his favorite work to date.
What Henchmen Is About
According to THR, Henchmen follows a low-level criminal in Gotham City who unexpectedly gains notoriety after incapacitating Batman by sheer luck. The story would feature brief appearances from the Dark Knight, with Harley Quinn and Joker also part of the mix.
Cregger wrote the script before Barbarian, but it has recently gained attention online as fans and industry insiders speculate about its potential place in the DC Universe.
“It actually takes place in the DC Universe, but it’s a totally original and it’s not a superhero movie. I wrote that before I wrote Barbarian,” Cregger said.
Where the Project Stands
According to the report, Cregger has not yet pitched Henchmen to DC Studios, though executives James Gunn and Peter Safran are said to be aware of his interest. The film’s path forward faces some obstacles:
- No current casting for Batman or Joker in the Gunn-Safran DC Universe.
- Harley Quinn’s role could theoretically go to Margot Robbie, but that is considered unlikely.
- Coordination with Matt Reeves’ films, as DC leadership will likely avoid overlapping villains while Reeves develops The Batman Part II and possibly a third film.
Cregger’s Busy Schedule
Cregger’s plate is already full. His latest horror film, Weapons, is in theaters (read our review here) now with a 96% Rotten Tomatoes score and strong box office tracking. Up next, he will direct Resident Evil for Sony in Prague this fall, followed by a secret sci-fi project.
Gunn and the DCU are also releasing their own horror film, Clayface.
While Henchmen is far from a done deal, Cregger’s rising profile could give the unconventional Gotham story a shot at becoming a reality in the years ahead.
