It's not often that DC and Marvel universes collide, but it looks like the superhero franchises might be sharing personnel soon with the screenwriters behind Marvel's highly successful Spider-Man: Homecoming in talks to direct DC's upcoming Flashpoint movie.
John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, both credited as screenwriters of the most recent iteration of Spider-Man on the big screen, are now up to helm a DC film centered on another young superhero: The Flash. While audiences have already met the speedster in Justice League, this standalone movie would likely delve more into the character for the first time in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU).
Warner Bros. declined to comment, according to a report from Variety.
The Search For The 'Flashpoint' Director
Finding the right director for the highly anticipated movie Flashpoint has proven to be a long process for Warner Bros. Seth Grahame-Smith was originally set to helm the DC film and write the script before he exited the project. The studio then tapped Dope director Rick Famuyiwa for the job. Last October, it was announced that the director would no longer be attached to Flashpoint due to creative differences.
"While it's disappointing that we couldn't come together creatively on the project, I remain grateful for the opportunity," Famuyiwa explains in a statement. "I will continue to look for opportunities to tell stories that speak to a fresh generational, topical and multicultural point of view. I wish Warner Bros., DC, Jon Berg, Geoff Johns and Ezra Miller all the best as they continue their journey into the speed force."
Sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that Famuyiwa's edgy take on the upcoming movie was not in line with the studio's vision of it.
With new prospects in Daley and Goldstein, the studio might be considering a lighter and more comedic angle for Flashpoint as the pair's directing experience includes comedies such as Vacation and Game Night.
Warner Bros. Reshuffles The DC Universe
In the process of trying to find their feet in the increasingly competitive comic book genre, Warner Bros. promoted Walter Hamada to oversee the DC Films in the works earlier this year. As a production executive in Warner Bros.' division New Line, Hamada plays a big role in the production of hit films such as It and The Conjuring series.
According to Variety, the personnel changes came after the studio's failure to create films that are successful critically and in the box office. Wonder Woman received worldwide acclaim, but the other superhero movies like Suicide Squad, Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice, and Justice League were all far less successful for the DC franchise. With the success of rival franchise Marvel, there is immense pressure for Warner Bros. and DC to produce higher quality films that match the global accomplishments of Marvel.
Flashpoint does not have an official release date yet, but DC fans can look forward to Aquaman set to be released in theaters in December this year. Shazam! and Wonder Woman 2 is expected to hit the big screen in 2019.
