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The narrative for Warner Bros. and their DC Universe hasn’t been a good one. Lagging far behind Marvel and their massively successful Cinematic Universe — but hardly at war with one another as some have suggested — Warner Bros. knew they had to leverage their vast DC intellectual properties in a similar manner. But racing to get to a ‘Civil War’ like face off movie as quickly as possible, rather than letting their characters breathe and define themselves, Warner Bros. stumbled hard with the largely incoherent “Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice.”
Tonight, WB hits another snag: director Seth Grahame-Smith is departing from “The Flash” film over “creative differences” with WB. No further reasons were given, but it’s another snafu for Warner Bros.
READ MORE: Zack Snyder Explains Why Grant Gustin’s The Flash Wasn’t Right For The DC Films Universe
The screenwriter behind “Pride & Prejudice & Zombies” and “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter,” Grahame-Smith was always a weird fit for “The Flash” especially given he had never directed a feature-length film before, let alone a big super hero tentpole. His career thus far has been writing historical movies mixed with genre films: “Unholy Night” is another one that reimagines the three wise men in the Nativity story as infamous thieves, led by a dark, murderous leader.
Secondly, Warner Bros. really just wanted Phil Lord and Chris Miller (“The Lego Movie”) to direct “The Flash” and give it a fun, humorous edge, but the filmmakers were only able to write the treatment, and they quickly left the project when they were given the keys to the “Young Han Solo” film.
READ MORE: Bob Iger Confirms Chewbacca For Young Han Solo ‘Star Wars’ Spinoff Movie
So Grahame-Smith was forced to write the film based on treatment from Lord and Miller and somehow, eventually fell out with WB. It’s gotta be tough to make a film based on a third party that’s no longer involved and a studio that’s probably using that treatment as its bible.
Actor Ezra Miller is playing “The Flash” and the character will appear next in “Justice League Part 1,” which will be released on November 17, 2017. “The Flash” already has a release date, March 3, 2018, but with its director off the project, they’re likely going to have scramble somewhat quickly in order to get a filmmaker on the page that can execute what could be an already pre-ordained vision. That’s not really a director’s ideal climate and it explains why a project like “Gambit” has seen a revolving door of filmmakers come and go. [THR]