Doug Liman leaves 'Gambit' to direct 'Dark Universe' a.k.a. 'Justice League Dark' for DC, Warner Bros.

By Daphne Planca / Aug 27, 2016 01:36 PM EDT
(Photo : Getty Images/Dimitrios Kambouris) Director Doug Liman attended the "Edge Of Tomorrow" red carpet repeat fan premiere tour at AMC Loews Lincoln Square on May 28, 2014 in New York City.
(Photo : Getty Images/Valerie Macon) Director Doug Liman attended the 2nd Annual Japan Cool Content Contribution Awards Ceremony on September 13, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.
(Photo : Getty Images/Kristin Murphy) Alan Grodin, Megan Cerullo, and director/producer Doug Liman attended the Black Label Media private dinner honoring the film '71 and filmmaker Yann Demange on January 24, 2015 in Park City, Utah.

Doug Liman leaves X-men spinoff "Gambit" and is set to direct the Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment adaptation of "Dark Universe" a.k.a. "Justice League Dark." Scott Rudin is the producer. Michael Gilio wrote the script.

Reports suggest that Liman left the "Gambit," starring Channing Tatum, as Variety reported. His departure was a mutual split between the studio and Liman. Warner Bros. did not give any comments about it.

"Crimson Peak" director Guillermo del Toro was first previously attached to "Dark Universe" or "Justice League Dark." But he declined later on because of other projects.

The plot details of "Dark Universe" or "Justice League Dark" are still kept under wraps. The story is about a dark Justice League team. The movie will play a major role in the new D.C. Cinematic Universe.

The "Dark Universe" or "Justice League Dark" team consists of John Constantine, Swamp Thing, Deadman, Zatanna and Etrigan the Demon. To recap, Keanu Reeves played as Constantine back in 2005 and Matt Ryan in NBC series that was canceled in 2015 after one season. Dick Durock played Swamp Thing in Wes Craven's 1982 film.

According to The Independent, the production on "Gambit" is expected to begin in January with the hunt for a new director already underway. Rupert Wyatt originally directed it before Liman joined. He steered "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" to unprecedented success in 2013.

Liman is repped by CAA and attorney Alan Grodin. He recently finished filming "The Wall," starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, at Amazon Studios. He is also attached to direct "Chaos Walking" at Lionsgate. He is currently in post on the drug cartel film "American Made," starring Tom Cruise and opening next September. This film just recently had its title dramatically changed to fit the story.

Watch the video of Doug Liman directing the DC's "Dark Universe" film: