Flash in film

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The fictional character Flash, a superhero appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, has appeared in multiple films since his creation. Unlike fellow superheroes such as Superman and Batman, multiple characters have assumed the mantle of the Flash. These include Jay Garrick, Barry Allen, his nephew Wally West, and grandson Bart Allen.

A film focusing on the Flash was originally considered by Warner Bros. in the late 1980s. Development on the film started in late 2004 with the hiring of David S. Goyer as writer / director; the film was to focus on Wally West.

David S. Goyer

Warner Bros. hired comic book writer Jeph Loeb to write a screenplay in the late-1980s, but the outing never materialized.[1] Development for a film adaptation was revived in late 2004 after the studio was impressed with David S. Goyer's script for Batman Begins (2005), and he was offered the choice of a Flash or Green Lantern film adaptation.[2] In December that same year, it was announced that Goyer would be writing, producing and directing The Flash.[3] According to Goyer, the film would have focused on Wally West,[4] and he approached his Blade: Trinity co-star Ryan Reynolds for the role.[2][5] Goyer's script, which he tonally compared to Sam Raimi's work on the first two movies of the Spider-Man trilogy,[2] was influenced by seminal comic book runs by Mike Baron, Mark Waid, and Geoff Johns.[6][7] By February 3, 2007, however, Goyer dropped out of the project, citing creative differences with the studio.[8]

Shawn Levy, David Dobkin

Shortly after Goyer dropped out of the project, Shawn Levy was hired to direct on February 5, 2007.[9] Levy intended for the film to be lighter in tone than Batman Begins and Superman Returns (2006). Additionally, he was to oversee the writing of a new draft, which was believed to use elements of Goyer's script.[9] By October 2007, Levy departed from The Flash, due to his commitment to Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009), and was replaced by David Dobkin;[10] in November, Warner Bros. hired Craig Wright to script The Flash.[11]

While Dobkin initially stated that the film would still focus on Wally West, and would act as a spin-off to the then-upcoming Justice League film,[10] it was later stated that the two films would have no connection.[11] The Dark Knight (2008) producer Charles Roven revealed in January 2008 that, despite having both a writer and director, the project would be delayed due to the 2007–08 Writers Guild of America strike,[12] which lasted from November 5, 2007, to February 12, 2008.

Warner Bros. brought Batman producer Charles Roven aboard, with comic book writer Geoff Johns serving as a consult and co-writer. Johns created a new film treatment. Dan Mazeau was the screenwriter.[13]

Greg Berlanti

In late February 2010, it was reported that the leading contender to helm The Flash was Greg Berlanti (who subsequently went on to introduce The Flash TV show). Warner Bros. Chairman and CEO Barry Meyer said they are getting close to giving the go-ahead for a film.[citation needed] On June 9, 2010, Green Lantern writers Berlanti, Michael Green and Marc Guggenheim were hired to pen a treatment of the film." The Flash script would be based on the recent run by DC's chief creative officer Geoff Johns.[14] Mazeau told Blastr.com that the studio are still actively developing the big screen take on the DC Comics' character and that the project is not dead yet.[15]

Proposed Justice League film

Justice League: Mortal

The same month Goyer revealed he was off The Flash, Warner Bros. hired husband and wife screenwriting duo Michelle and Kieran Mulroney to script a Justice League film featuring Barry Allen,[16] Justice League attached George Miller as director. He cast Adam Brody as Barry Allen.[17][18] Filming was nearly set to begin for Justice League, but Brody's contract lapsed when the Australian Film Commission denied Warner Bros. a 45 percent tax credit.[19]

DC Extended Universe (2016–present)

Animated films

References

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