Insider: Robert Zemeckis Is Frontrunner to Direct 'The Flash' (Exclusive)

“Forrest Gump” director Robert Zemeckis is the frontrunner to direct the DC Film’s “The Flash,” a person close to the situation told TheWrap.

The film, starring Ezra Miller as the titular speedy superhero, would mark a return to the world of sci-fi-infused fantasy for the “Back to the Future” director, known for blending emotional stories with top-notch visual effects.

Leading man Miller appeared in Warner Bros.’ “Harry Potter” spinoff “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” last year. Fans got their first glimpse of Miller as the Flash in “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.” He also plays the part in the forthcoming “Justice League” and had a flash of an appearance in the summer hit “Suicide Squad.”

Also Read: 'Justice League': The Flash, Wonder Woman Teasers Drop Ahead of New Trailer (Videos)

Warner Bros. declined to comment.

“The Flash” was originally set for a March 16, 2018, release, but Warner Bros. wants to get the film right and is not rushing the project, the insider said. Director Rick Famuyiwa left “The Flash” over creative differences last year.

A similar thing happened when Michelle MacLaren left the studio’s “Wonder Woman” over creative differences in 2015. She was eventually replaced by director Patty Jenkins. The film, opening June 2, is one of Warner Bros. biggest bets for the summer.

Joby Harold has been tapped to do rewrite “The Flash” script. Harold’s credits for the studio include “King Arthur: Legend of the Sword,” “Robin Hood,” as well as a “Twilight Zone” film. Kiersey Clemons is attached to play Iris West, and Billy Crudup will play Miller’s father.

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Zemeckis next project before “The Flash” is Steve Carell’s adaptation of Jeff Malmberg’s 2010 documentary “Marwencol,” will be released by Universal on November 21st, 2018.

Following poor critical reception and disappointing box office for “Batman v Superman,” Warner Bros retooled its comic book-based slate coming out of its DC Films unit. The studio putting executive vice presidents Jon Berg and Geoff Johns in charge.

Previously, Andy Signore of Screenjunkies reported that Zemeckis was in talks to direct the project.

Zemeckis is repped by WME.

11 DC Comics Superheroes and Villains Who Deserve R-Rated Movies (Photos)

With R-rated films like "Logan" brutalizing the box office, an insider tells TheWrap that DC Films would "100 percent" make R-rated superhero movies with the right characters. Here are a few suggestions for characters dark enough to demand an R rating.
1. Justice League Dark

Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment released a successful R-rated "Justice League Dark" animated movie, and there's no reason they can't do the same in live action.
DC Comics
2. Suicide Squad 2

The first "Suicide Squad" focused on hardened criminals, but they kept things PG-13. They could do a lot more damage with an R rating.
Warner Bros.
3. Deadshot

Warner Bros. is looking to spin off Will Smith's hardened "Suicide Squad" character. An R-rating would make a lot of sense, given that he's a professional assassin.
Warner Bros.
4. Gotham City Sirens

Warners is also looking to spin off Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn character from "Suicide Squad." We all know the streets of Gotham are deadly enough to deserve an R rating.
DC Comics
5. Lobo

A film about DC's badass alien bounty hunter Lobo is in development, with Jason Fuchs developing a screenplay. An alien can't be expected to abide by MPAA standards.
DC Comics
6. Black Adam

Dwayne Johnson is attached to star as outlaw "Black Adam" for New Line. In the comics, Black Adam rules his own nation — the fictional Middle Eastern country Kahndaq — as a beloved, if violent, dictator. R territory for sure.
DC Comics
7. Nightwing

Bruce Wayne's former ward Dick Grayson set off on his own in the comics, and is expected to get his own movie as well in "Nightwing." R is for Robin.
DC Comics
8. Red Hood

If DC Films is making a "Nightwing" movie, how about focusing on another Bat-underling? Ex-Robin Jason Todd came back from the dead to avenge his killing as Red Hood, and a PG-13 probably can't contain all his rage.
DC Comics
9. Arkham Asylum

The video game series featuring all of Gotham City's craziest villains could easily lend itself to a film in the vein of David Fincher's "Seven."
DC Comics
10. Deathstroke

DC Comics assassin Deathstroke is the villain in the upcoming "The Batman," and if he merits a spinoff, it would be hard to imagine it as anything but an R movie.
DC Comics
11. The Batman

Making "The Batman" R-rated would send a signal that DC Films isn't messing around. In the "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" Ultimate Edition, Batman was at his most Frank Miller violent and brutal.
Warner Bros.
If you like this gallery, check out this list of the 14 Biggest Superhero Movies Opening in 2017, From ‘Power Rangers’ to ‘Wonder Woman’ (Photos)

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An insider tells TheWrap that DC Films would ‘100 percent’ make R-rated superhero movies with the right characters — here are few that would be perfect

With R-rated films like "Logan" brutalizing the box office, an insider tells TheWrap that DC Films would "100 percent" make R-rated superhero movies with the right characters. Here are a few suggestions for characters dark enough to demand an R rating.

View In Gallery

11 DC Comics Superheroes and Villains Who Deserve R-Rated Movies (Photos)

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