Dark was a fairly recent DC title that grouped together heroes such as John Constantine (who was the title character of a solo 2005 movie that starred Keanu Reeves), Deadman, Shade the Changing Man, Zatanna and Swamp Thing (who had his own Wes Craven-directed pic in 1982), among others.

The project was in development for several years as a directing vehicle for Guillermo del Toro, a master of the macabre whose tastes seemingly lined up with the material. Liman’s boarding signals a tonal shift for the pic.

Liman is known for his kinetic and propulsive action movie sensibilities, thanks to such hits as The Bourne Identity and Mr. and Mrs. Smith. He worked with Warners on 2014’s Edge of Tomorrow, the well-regarded sci-fi time-travel movie that starred Tom Cruise.

Liman is shaking it up with his next several movies, which include American Made, a 1980s-set drug cartel crime drama that reteams him with Cruise, and The Wall, a low-budget sniper drama for Amazon Studios.

Michael Gilio is writing the script for Justice League Dark. Del Toro is no longer involved, but Scott Rudin is now a producer on the project.