It’s almost as if the “Swamp Thing” TV series never had a chance. Recently, we’ve seen streaming companies cancel superhero shows before they air, with Netflix the biggest offender, canceling the upcoming “Jessica Jones” after it already axed the rest of the Marvel series and weeks before the third season debuts. But in the case of “Swamp Thing,” which premiered its first episode on May 31, the writing has been on the wall since before production even wrapped.
According to GWW (and confirmed by Bloody Disgusting), DC Universe, the fledgling streaming service that carries shows like “Titans” and “Doom Patrol,” has officially canceled “Swamp Thing” after only 1 episode has aired. Why? Well, no reason was given, but what answer can be given for canceling a streaming series only one episode into its inaugural season, after already shortening the production unexpectedly, other than to say that DC Universe has zero confidence in the product? Oof.
“Swamp Thing” is the latest live-action series to come to DC Universe and is based on the popular superhero/horror comics of the same name that feature the titular hero/creature, the protector of the swamp. The comic book series is best known for its supernatural/horror elements, and James Wan is even linked as a producer on the TV series.
However, the production of “Swamp Thing” made headlines a while ago, when it was reported that mid-way through the filming of the season, the producers, cast, and the rest of the crew, were informed that their 13-episode season would be shortened to 10. At the time, DC Universe was adamant in saying it was purely a creative decision and had nothing to do with the future of the series being in jeopardy, or the fact that the streaming service is struggling to find subscribers and it can’t afford to keep spending money on “Swamp Thing.” But here we are, only months later, with news that “Swamp Thing” is toast. Go figure.
Even though it’s safe to say that DC Universe wasn’t a fan of the direction of the series, fans and critics generally liked it, with “Swamp Thing” earning some of the best reviews that any live-action series on the streamer has seen since its launch less than a year ago. And yes, the cancellation of “Swamp Thing” is bad news for fans of the series, but it can also be seen as a huge black eye for the new streaming service, as a whole.
This precedent set by DC Universe, canceling a series only 1 episode into its airing, shows that the streaming service doesn’t have confidence in the product, which might lead to fans wondering why they’re subscribing for the service, in the first place. If you signed up for DC Universe because of “Swamp Thing,” which is one of only several original series on the service, by the way, are you going to even bother watching the rest of the season, knowing it’s a lame duck? Will you trust any DC Universe announcement of a new series, with the knowledge that the service might immediately cancel the show almost immediately?
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And the scariest prospect for subscribers of DC Universe is the fact that the service apparently won’t even give “Swamp Thing” a chance to build its audience over the coming weeks, as the new episodes air. So, no matter how many fans pay money to watch the show now, it won’t change the outcome. If that’s the case, it makes sense that fans won’t bother paying money to support the show. And it also makes you wonder about the health of DC Universe, in general.
But hey, at least you still have “Titans” and “Doom Patrol,” right? And if you’re anxiously awaiting “Stargirl,” then maybe wait and see what DC Universe plans on doing with the series before you devote the time and money.