Why did Emerald Fennell feel her Zatanna script was flawed?

Emerald Fennell felt her script for the Zatanna movie was too dark and too far removed from the superhero genre, reflecting her personal struggles at the time.

What is Emerald Fennell's connection to the Zatanna movie?

Emerald Fennell was chosen to write the Zatanna movie for Warner Bros. and Bad Robot in March 2021, but has since reflected on her script's perceived shortcomings.

Who created the DC character Zatanna?

The character of Zatanna, a magician with magical powers, was created by Gardner Fox and artist Murphy Anderson, making her debut in November 1964.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Fennell regrets 'too dark' Zatanna script

Fennell regrets 'too dark' Zatanna script

14 Feb

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Summary

Emerald Fennell's Zatanna script was too dark and genre-bending.
She felt the script reflected her personal struggles at the time.
Fennell wanted to deliver a different kind of superhero movie.

Fennell regrets 'too dark' Zatanna script

Emerald Fennell, the Oscar-winning writer, has reflected on her experience developing a script for a Zatanna movie approximately five years ago. Fennell, who was tapped by Warner Bros. and Bad Robot in March 2021, recently shared that her vision for the DC superheroine was perhaps too removed from the expected genre conventions.

Speaking on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Fennell described her script as "demented," suggesting it was a reflection of personal difficulties she was navigating at the time. Having just completed "A Promising Young Woman," she sought to create a superhero film that resonated with her emotionally, focusing on a "woman in the middle of a nervous breakdown."