It appearsThe Flashmoviehas found its new director. Again. While reports swirled in July thatItandIt: Chapter TwodirectorAndy Muschiettiwas in talkswith Warner Bros. to take the helm of the troubled superhero project, Muschietti himself played coy when asked about the prospect. Now, however, it sounds like whatever contract issues needed to be hammered out are done, as the filmmaker confirmed toFandangothatThe Flashwill be his next project.
However, those expecting to see Muschietti bring his horror sensibilities intoThe Flashmay find themselves disappointed:
“An element of horror? I don’t think so. What captivated me aboutThe Flashis the human drama in it. The human feelings and emotions that play in the drama [of it]. It’s going to be fun, too. I can’t promise that there will be any horror [elements in it], really, but it’s a beautiful human story.”
This is a long time coming, but excuse me if I don’t automatically assume that Muschietti’s version ofThe Flashwill definitely see the light of day. The DC Comics adaptation began its current phase of development in October 2015, when Warner Bros. hiredDark Shadowswriter andItexecutive producerSeth Grahame-Smithto make his directorial debut with the film. In April 2016, however—a month afterBatman v Supermanhit theaters and drew scathing reviews and divisive responses from audiences—Warner Bros. decided to takeThe Flashin a different direction and Grahame-Smith moved off the project.
By this pointEzra Millerhad already been cast as The Flash and was shooting his role inJustice League, and Warner Bros. subsequently signedRick Famuyiwa(Dope) to take the helm in June 2016. He lasted until November, at which point he departed the director’s chair over creative differences, despite having castKiersey Clemonsas Iris West.
The Flashthen went into a bit of stasis as Warner Bros. tried to figure out what to do aboutJustice Leagueand its other upcoming projects, and Miller found himself busy with theFantastic Beastsfranchise. But the film gained new life in March 2018 whenGame NightfilmmakersJohn Francis DaleyandJonathan Goldsteinsigned on to rewrite and direct the film. All seemed well, and it felt likeThe Flashmight finally go before cameras after Miller wrappedFantastic Beasts 2, but trouble brewed once more in the summer of 2019.
Reports swirled that Daley and Goldstein wanted to take the film into a lighter, more comedic tone while Miller wanted to hew a bit darker. To showcase his vision for the film, Millerwas allowed to co-write a new screenplay himselfwith the help of comics writerGrant Morrison, and while at the time it sounded like Miller might be on his way out of the role, by July 2019 Daley and Goldstein had left the project and Miller was still onboard.
Which brings us to Muschietti, the fourth director signed on to makeThe Flash, a movie that still doesn’t yet exist. One imagines his darker sensibilities fit more in line with Miller’s vision for the film, assuming that earlier report is true, and he’s certainly proven capable of crafting compelling and visually arresting movies. Production won’t begin until sometime in the back half of 2020 at the earliest as Miller is due to shootFantastic Beasts 3in Spring 2020, so there’s still plenty of time for Muschietti to drill down and nailThe Flashonce and for all. Or, conversely, still plenty of time for him to become just the latest director to drop out.
As a fan of Muschietti’s work and someone who is eager to see Miller’s version of this character get his standalone film, I’m hoping this one works out.
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