Warner Bros. has hired Rick Famuyiwa to direct its DC Films film “The Flash,” TheWrap has learned.
Famuyiwa gained notoriety for his 2015 indie darling “Dope,” and the big studio tentpole represents the biggest opportunity of his career thus far.
The film, starring Ezra Miller as the titular speedy superhero, is scheduled to open in theaters March 16, 2018 — after Miller appears the studio’s Harry Potter spinoff “Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them.” Miller also had a cameo in “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” and has a part in “The Justice League Part One.”
Seth Grahame-Smith wrote the script. He was originally set to direct but exited the project due to creative differences.
“Lego Movie” makers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller were attached to direct “The Flash” before that and inspired Grahame-Smiths’ interpretation of the DC character.
Following poor critical reception and sagging box office of “Batman v Superman,” Warner Bros is retooling its comic book-based slate coming out of its DC Films unit.
The studio is said to trust Famuyiwa’s vision, especially with younger audiences. His hire is interesting alchemy considering Miller’s younger, millennial approach to his roles.
Famuyiwa is represented by WME and Oasis.
Michael Keaton Is Batman and the Vulture: 27 More Stars in Both Marvel and DC Movies (Photos)
The animosity between Marvel and DC goes back decades in the comics world, but it's still burgeoning in Hollywood. It turns out a bunch of actors have switched sides in that corporate war over the years -- and some are making that move even now.
Ben Affleck Marvel: "Daredevil" (2003)
DC: "Batman v Superman," future DC Extended Universe movies
Ryan Reynolds Marvel: "X-Men: The Last Stand," "Deadpool," "Blade: Trinity"
DC: "Green Lantern"
Chris Evans Marvel: Human Torch in "Fantastic Four" (2004) and its sequel, "Rise of the Silver Surfer"; Captain America in Marvel Cinematic Universe
DC: "The Losers"
Willem Defoe Marvel: "Spider-Man"
DC: Just signed on for upcoming "Justice League" film
Tommy Lee Jones Marvel: "Captain America: The First Avenger"
DC: "Batman Forever"
Idris Elba Marvel: "Thor," "Thor: The Dark World" "Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance"
DC: "The Losers"
JK Simmons Marvel: "Spider-Man" (2002-2007)
DC: "Justice League" (future)
Tao Okamoto Marvel: "The Wolverine"
DC: "Batman v Superman"
Djimon Hounsou Marvel: "Guardians of the Galaxy"
DC: "Constantine"
Laurence Fishburne Marvel: "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer"
DC: "Man of Steel," "Batman v Superman"
James Marsden Marvel: "X-Men" films
DC: "Superman Returns"
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje Marvel: "Thor: The Dark World"
DC: "Suicide Squad"
Natalie Portman Marvel: "Thor," Thor: The Dark World"
DC: "V for Vendetta"
Hugo Weaving
Marvel: "Captain America: The First Avenger"
DC: "V for Vendetta"
Josh Brolin Marvel: Various Marvel Cinematic Universe films
DC: "Jonah Hex"
Michael Fassbender Marvel: "X-Men" prequels
DC: "Jonah Hex"
Michael Clarke Duncan Marvel: "Daredevil"
DC: "Green Lantern"
Halle Berry Marvel: "X-Men" trilogy
DC: "Catwoman"
Tim Robbins Marvel: "Howard the Duck"
DC: "Green Lantern"
Zoe Saldana Marvel: "Guardians of the Galaxy," "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2"
DC: "The Losers"
Chin Han Marvel: "Captain America: The Winter Soldier"
DC: "The Dark Knight"
Callan Mulvey Marvel: "Captain America: The Winter Soldier"
DC: "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice"
David Dustmalchian Marvel: "Ant-Man"
DC: "The Dark Knight Rises"
Parker Posey Marvel: "Blade: Trinity"
DC: "Superman Returns"
Terence Stamp Marvel: "Elektra"
DC: "Superman" (1978), "Superman II" (1980)
Angela Bassett Marvel: "Black Panther"
DC: "Green Lantern"
Jon Favreau Marvel: "Spider-Man: Homecoming," "Iron Man," "Iron Man 2," "Iron Man 3"
DC: "Batman Forever"
Michael Keaton Marvel: "Spider-Man: Homecoming"
DC: "Batman" (1989)
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Despite the seemingly eternal rivalry between the two largest comic book brands, some big actors have been in films from both sides
The animosity between Marvel and DC goes back decades in the comics world, but it's still burgeoning in Hollywood. It turns out a bunch of actors have switched sides in that corporate war over the years -- and some are making that move even now.