Flash in film
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.
Proposed ''The Flash'' film
David S. Goyer
Warner Bros. hired comic book writer Jeph Loeb to write a screenplay in the late-1980s, but the outing never materialized. Development for a film adaptation was revived in late 2004 after the studio was impressed with David S. Goyer's script for Batman Begins, and he was offered the choice of a Flash or Green Lantern film adaptation. In December that same year, it was announced that Goyer would be writing, producing and directing The Flash. According to Goyer, the film would have focused on Wally West, and he approached his Blade: Trinity co-star Ryan Reynolds for the role. Goyer's script, which he tonally compared to Sam Raimi's work on the first two movies of the Spider-Man trilogy, was influenced by seminal comic book runs by Mike Baron, Mark Waid, and Geoff Johns. By February 3, 2007, however, Goyer dropped out of the project, citing creative differences with the studio.Shawn Levy, David Dobkin
Shortly after Goyer dropped out of the project, Shawn Levy was hired to direct on February 5, 2007. Levy intended for the film to be lighter in tone than Batman Begins and Superman Returns. Additionally, he was to oversee the writing of a new draft, which was believed to use elements of Goyer's script. By October 2007, Levy departed from The Flash, due to his commitment to Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, and was replaced by David Dobkin; in November, Warner Bros. hired Craig Wright to script The Flash.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, it was later stated that the two films would have no connection. The Dark Knight 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, 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.
Greg Berlanti
In late February 2010, it was reported that the leading contender to helm The Flash was Greg Berlanti. Warner Bros. Chairman and CEO Barry Meyer said they are getting close to giving the go-ahead for a film. 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. 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.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, Justice League attached George Miller as director. He cast Adam Brody as Barry Allen. 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.DC Extended Universe (2016–present)
''Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice'' (2016)
The Flash's first appearance in the DCEU happened in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice where the character made two small appearances, played by Ezra Miller. He first appears in a nightmare sequence showing up in the Batcave, wearing a futuristic armor version of his classic costume, in order to warn Bruce Wayne of an upcoming threat. Although the scene is left for interpretation, with Flash stating that Lois Lane is the key and that Bruce was right about "him" mixed in with a frustrated realization that he is "too soon," it indicates a possible post-apocalyptic future which the character is trying to prevent. He is later seen again, this time in the "real world" and in the present day when Wonder Woman is going through the recorded footage of several metahuman sightings. He appears in a liquor store's security camera footage, wearing his normal civilian clothes, stopping a burglar.''Suicide Squad'' (2016)
Miller reprised their role in Suicide Squad, in a flashback where he is shown easily apprehending George "Digger" Harkness / Captain Boomerang.''Justice League'' (2017, 2021)
Miller reprises their role in the theatrical and director's cut of Justice League.''The Flash'' (2023)
On July 20, 2013, The Hollywood Reporter reported that the film was rumored to be released in 2016 but it was not announced.In October 2014, Warner Bros. announced The Flash would be released in 2018 as the sixth installment of the DC Extended Universe. Ezra Miller was cast to play the title role of Barry Allen. A story treatment for the film was written by Phil Lord and Chris Miller. The studio was courting the duo to also direct, but they declined due to their busy schedule. The studio instead signed Seth Grahame-Smith to write and direct. In April 2016, he dropped out due to creative differences. The studio retained his script. Greg Berlanti, who co-created The CW's television series of the same name, was previously said to be writer and director.
In June 2016, it was revealed that Rick Famuyiwa would be taking the helm as a director for The Flash. Famuyiwa posted a photo on his Instagram page that he did research on the character.
On 25 July 2016, Kiersey Clemons was announced as being cast in the role of Iris West. In August 2016, Ray Fisher was announced to reprise his role as Victor Stone / Cyborg. However director Famuyiwa denied Cyborg's involvement in the film. Filming was scheduled to start in January 2017 in London, England. On September 9, 2016, Variety reported that Billy Crudup was in talks for the role of Henry Allen.
On October 31, 2016, The Hollywood Reporter reported that Famuyiwa had left the film over creative differences.
On January 25, 2017, Variety reported that Joby Harold would rewrite the script for the film. On April 27, 2017, Screen Junkies reported that Robert Zemeckis was in talks to direct the film. In May, the studio had Robert Zemeckis, Matthew Vaughn, and Sam Raimi on a shortlist of possible directors for the film. Later that month, Raimi and Marc Webb had dropped out from the running. In June 2017, The Wrap reported that Lord and Miller were in talks to direct the film again.
In September 2017, Deadline reported that Gal Gadot would reprise her role as Diana Prince / Wonder Woman. However, this was later stated to not be the case.
In February 2018, it was announced that filmmaking duo John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, had signed on to direct the film. By July 2019, Daley and Goldstein had left the project; Andy Muschietti and Christina Hodson entered negotiations to direct and write a new draft of the script, respectively. Barbara Muschietti and Michael Disco additionally joined the project as producers. Filming was expected to begin on August 31, 2021, at Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden. In January 2020, Muschietti stated that elements of the Flashpoint storyline will be incorporated into the film. In June 2020, it was reported that Michael Keaton was in early talks to reprise his role as Bruce Wayne / Batman for the film, a role which he previously played in Tim Burton's Batman and Batman Returns. In August 2020, it was confirmed that Keaton had signed onto the film and that Ben Affleck would also be reprising his role as Batman from the DC Extended Universe. Fisher was also included as a significant role in the film at this point, but was written out of the script in January 2021 following his accusations of abuse at DC Films. In February 2021 it was announced that Sasha Calle would portray Supergirl. In March 2021, Kiersey Clemons had officially signed onto to return as Iris West. Later that month, Maribel Verdú had been cast to portray Nora Allen, Barry's mother. Billy Crudup was initially set to return as Henry Allen, but left due to scheduling conflicts. The role is now recast with Ron Livingston portraying Henry. In December 2021, Michael Shannon and Antje Traue were revealed to be reprising their roles from Man of Steel as General Zod and Faora respectively. In April 2022, the final writing credits were revealed: Hodson received screenplay credit; Daley, Goldstein, and Harold received screen story credit; and off-screen credit for additional writing material went to Rebecca Drysdale, Famuyiwa, Grahame-Smith, Johns, Lord, Christopher Miller, Ezra Miller, Morrison, and Adam Sztykiel. The Flash was released on June 16, 2023.