Would it be shocking to learn that, yet again, the plans for the DC Film Universe is changing over at Warner Bros.?
Buried deep in the recent report, from The Hollywood Reporter, that writer Dan Mazeau is signed on to adapt “Armada” (based on the novel by “Ready Player One” author Ernest Cline) for Universal was a throwaway line that shed some light on part of the upcoming DCU film slate. “[Mazeau] worked on the Warner Bros.’ ‘Flash’ movie project when it was titled ‘Flashpoint’…” Wait, what?
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Originally announced less than a year ago at San Diego Comic-Con, “Flashpoint” was the title given to the upcoming film featuring Ezra Miller’s Flash. The title is based on a fairly well-beloved comic storyline that saw Barry Allen, aka the Flash, go back in time to save his mother from being murdered. However, in true “Back to the Future” fashion, preventing his mother’s death set off a chain of events that drastically altered his present day. Many fans were predicting that this would be the film that would give WB/DC the opportunity to fix the mess they have, by allowing them to recast or undo any damage that has been done by previous films.
However, just changing the title doesn’t mean they’re changing the storyline. As the article’s author, Borys Kit, points out on Twitter, “I didn’t say they weren’t adapting ‘Flashpoint.’ All I said was that it wouldn’t be titled ‘Flashpoint.’ But maybe I’ve said too much.”
Common sense would dictate that if you want to make the first film about the superhero known as the Flash, that you name said movie, “The Flash.” Perhaps, this is just Warner Bros. coming to their senses and realizing that non-comic books audiences probably wouldn’t flock to a film called “Flashpoint.” This would be like if “Captain America: Civil War” was just titled “Civil War.” Just wouldn’t make sense. But you know, they did go ahead and present an official logo for the film last year for millions to see, so common sense might not be at play over at WB.
That being said, this could also be another example of Warner Bros. tinkering with their DC toys. Maybe they really are going to destroy the idea of a shared universe and just decide to present a new ‘Flash’ film, with zero ties to the existing DCU. With the seeming scattershot approach they have with their upcoming slate of DC films, with some fitting into continuity and others spitting in the face of established cannon, it wouldn’t be too shocking that WB had a change of heart with their “Flash” film.
Either way, there’s still a 75% chance this film never sees the light of day, and all this wondering is for naught. Oh well.
I didn't say they weren't adapting Flashpoint. All I said was that it wouldn't be titled Flashpoint. But maybe I've said too much. ?
— Borys Kit (@Borys_Kit) April 3, 2018