Akiva Goldsman on “Constantine” & “I Am Legend” Sequels, “Dark Tower” Woes, and the Elusive “Batman Forever” Director’s Cut

As the entertainment landscape continues to evolve at a breakneck pace, with new projects constantly vying for our attention, it’s always insightful to hear from the seasoned creatives shaping our favorite stories. This is especially true for someone like Akiva Goldsman, a name synonymous with some of the most beloved and aspiring projects in film and television. Goldsman, a pivotal figure behind J.J. Abrams’ “Fringe” and the current showrunner for “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,” which is gearing up for its highly anticipated third season premiere next week, recently sat down for an in-depth interview with The Hollywood reporter. In this extensive discussion, a wide array of interesting topics were explored, offering a candid look into his career and the future of several high-profile projects.

Navigating the Sequel Landscape: “Constantine” and “I am Legend”

One of the most immediate questions on fans’ minds often revolves around the potential for sequels to beloved films. Goldsman addressed the status of the long-discussed follow-ups to “Constantine” and “I Am Legend,” providing a clear, albeit nuanced, update on which might see the light of day first.

When asked about the likelihood of these sequels moving forward, Goldsman offered a direct comparison. “For different reasons, I think ‘I am Legend’ [script] is more finished, and I think ‘Constantine’ is more likely,” he stated. This suggests that while both projects have been in advancement for some time, the script for the “I Am Legend” sequel has reached a more concrete stage. Though, he also indicated that the “Constantine” project, despite potential script hurdles, might be closer to actual production. This distinction is crucial for fans eager to see these characters return to the screen, offering a glimmer of hope for both franchises.

The Ambitious, Unfulfilled Promise of “The Dark Tower“

The adaptation of Stephen King’s sprawling “The Dark Tower” series has been a notoriously challenging endeavor, with multiple attempts and visions over the years. While the 2017 film adaptation is widely considered a critical and commercial disappointment, Goldsman was part of the original, much grander plans for the franchise. These initial concepts envisioned a multi-film and TV series universe, a scope that ultimately proved too ambitious for the studio system at the time.Reflecting on what went wrong, Goldsman expressed a sense of regret. “We didn’t live up to that opportunity,” he admitted. He elaborated on the original vision, stating, “The original plan that ron [Howard] and I had was really ambitious and really extraordinary, and there was a version of the first movie that was at Universal that we ultimately weren’t able to make that I think would’ve been something.” The sheer volume of work and dedication poured into this unrealized vision is evident in his words. “There are books upon books upon books, binders about the movie. We worked on that universe for such a long time – for naught.” This poignant statement highlights the immense creative effort that went into a project that,regrettably,never reached its full potential.

The mantle for adapting “The Dark Tower” has since passed to Mike Flanagan, who is now spearheading a new take on the beloved series for Amazon Prime Video. This transition marks a new chapter for the franchise, and many are eager to see if Flanagan can capture the magic that eluded previous attempts.

The Ghost of “Batman Forever”: A Director’s Cut Dream

The conversation then shifted to a more personal and perhaps more frustrating topic for Goldsman: the unreleased director’s cut of “Batman Forever.” An attempt to screen this alternate version of the 1995 film was recently shut down by Warner Bros., leaving many fans and Goldsman himself disappointed.

Goldsman shared his ongoing efforts to bring this darker, more complete version of the film to audiences. “After Joel died [in 2020] I reached out to warners and said, ‘There’s a darker version of this movie,'” he revealed. He confirmed that this version does indeed exist, though it is indeed not entirely finished. “We found it. It exists and it’s incomplete, but more complete than you would think.”

He detailed the state of the cut, explaining the technical challenges and the surprising preservation of practical effects. “Today there would be giant sections where the VFX wasn’t done. In those days, so much of it was miniatures and practical effects – they were done.” This highlights a significant difference in filmmaking techniques between the mid-90s and today, where practical effects often required less digital completion. “We were trying to dust it off, and then everybody stopped caring. But I lobby for it.” His continued advocacy underscores his belief in the artistic merit of this unreleased cut.

Goldsman also offered a tantalizing glimpse into the specific content that differentiates this director’s cut, revealing key narrative elements that were either altered or omitted from the theatrical release.He described a significant subplot involving Bruce Wayne’s psychological state: “Bruce is having these recurring visions of a red book, which turns out to be his father’s diary. There’s an entry that says, ‘Martha and I want to stay home tonight. Bruce wants to see a movie, so we’re going to take him out.’ So he holds himself responsible [for their deaths].” This detail adds a profound layer to Batman’s internal struggle, directly linking his trauma to his parents’ murder in a way that was not fully explored in the released version.

Furthermore, he teased a especially striking sequence that was cut: “There’s a section in the movie where he actually is hit in the head. He doesn’t remember that he’s Batman, and he goes back into the cave. There’s this now rather famous Rick Baker bat that he faces.” This scene, featuring a memorable practical effect created by the legendary Rick Baker, would have offered a visually arresting and thematically rich moment for the character, showcasing his fractured psyche and his struggle with his own identity as Batman. The continued unavailability of this cut remains a point of contention for many who believe it would offer a more faithful and compelling interpretation of the character and the film’s darker intentions.

A Busy Future: “Practical Magic” and “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds”

Beyond these retrospective discussions, Goldsman’s plate remains full with exciting new and ongoing projects. He recently penned the script for the sequel to the beloved 1998 film “Practical Magic,” a project that has generated considerable buzz among fans of the original.

His primary focus, though, remains on the critically acclaimed “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.” The series is currently in production for its fourth season, with filming scheduled to continue through late August. Following this, the show will take a brief hiatus before commencing production on its fifth and final season, which will be a shortened, six-episode run. this news, while confirming the show’s continuation, also signals the eventual conclusion of the Enterprise’s current journey under Captain Pike. The success and critical reception of “Strange New Worlds” have solidified Goldsman’s position as a key architect in the modern “Star Trek” universe, demonstrating his ability to blend reverence for the past with a fresh, contemporary vision.

Goldsman’s insights offer a valuable window into the often-complex world of Hollywood production, from the challenges of adapting beloved source material to the persistent desire to revisit and refine past cinematic works. As he continues to steer the Enterprise into new frontiers and possibly revisit iconic characters from DC Comics, fans will undoubtedly be watching closely, eager to see what stories he brings to life next.