The Lobo Film Too Wild for Hollywood: Why Studios Passed

Among the many projects that never made it out of development, the standalone Lobo film stands out as a real missed opportunity, especially for those who were keen to see Jason Momoa take on the role. Written before the days of the Snyderverse and the DCEU, Jason Fuchs’ script was apparently so full-on that it never got the green light. Michael Bay was the last director attached, but even his reputation for big, explosive blockbusters wasn’t enough to get it across the line.

Speaking on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Fuchs described his vision as a wild blend of Michael Bay’s style and what you’d get if Quentin Tarantino had a crack at Guardians of the Galaxy. He said,

I had written a ‘Lobo’ script many, many years ago for DC, which of all the things I’ve written that didn’t get made, I think that ‘Lobo’ script is my favourite. Because…the tone of that ‘Lobo’ was ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ if Quentin Tarantino had directed it.

He went on to add,

Very violent, it made ‘Deadpool‘ look like a Disney family film, which is probably why it ultimately didn’t get made.

Fuchs had Jason Momoa in mind from the start, knowing the actor had long wanted to play the intergalactic anti-hero. But the mayhem in the script didn’t stop at the violence.

Taking the Mickey Out of Batman v Superman

Fuchs revealed that his unmade Lobo film would have poked fun at Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, particularly the infamous “Martha” scene. In his version, the parody would have seen Lobo sharing a mother’s name with another character, but instead of a touching moment, Lobo would have just finished the bloke off and carried on with his rampage. It’s a cheeky dig at one of the most talked-about moments in the DCEU, and it’s safe to say it wouldn’t have gone down well with all the fans.

Heaps of people still debate that “Martha” scene, but Fuchs’ take would have been a much darker, more irreverent spin. The script was set to be a no-holds-barred ride, with Lobo’s brand of chaos front and centre.

Could Lobo Ever Work in the New DCU?

Lobo’s reputation as a ruthless villain is well-earned. He’s a bit like Jason Momoa’s Khal Drogo, but with even less restraint and a lot more carnage. Trying to tone him down for a broader audience probably wouldn’t fly, especially with James Gunn now steering the DCU ship.

Still, with the success of John Cena’s Peacemaker, it’s clear that punters aren’t shy about a bit of on-screen violence. Gunn’s Superman was a much more upbeat take, so maybe it’s time for a character who’s the complete opposite. If the original script ever got dusted off, there’s a chance fans would be keen to see it brought to life.

Maybe Michael Bay could be tempted back, promising plenty of explosions and bloodshed—enough to make Deadpool look tame by comparison. Whether or not the DCU bosses will ever take a punt on such a wild project remains to be seen, but there’s no doubt it would get people talking.

Would you be up for seeing this version of Lobo hit the big screen? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.