Though Marvel Studios has faced its fair share of difficulties over the years, it pales in comparison to what DC Studios has been through since launching their own shared cinematic universe with 2013’s “Man of Steel.” DC’s movies have become synonymous with dysfunction, repeatedly suffering from troubled productions, fan hostility, and critical antipathy.
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No matter: here comes “The Flash,” perhaps DC’s most controversial and longest-gestating project yet. The first full-length feature film centered around Ezra Miller’s portrayal of the iconic super-speedster has been in development since at least 2015 when Phil Lord and Christopher Miller were reportedly working on a treatment. Eight years and four directors later, the final product has nearly reached the finish line with Andy Muschetti (“Mama,” “It: Chapter Two”) at the helm.
The screenplay was written by Christina Hodson, who previously penned 2020’s well-received “Birds of Prey,” as well as the now-infamous unreleased “Batgirl” movie. “The Flash” will be the first DC project to be released under the regime of the new co-chair and CEO, James Gunn.
Here’s the official synopsis:
Worlds collide in “The Flash” when Barry uses his superpowers to travel back in time in order to change the events of the past. But when his attempt to save his family inadvertently alters the future, Barry becomes trapped in a reality in which General Zod has returned, threatening annihilation, and there are no Super Heroes to turn to. That is, unless Barry can coax a very different Batman out of retirement and rescue an imprisoned Kryptonian… albeit not the one he’s looking for. Ultimately, to save the world that he is in and return to the future that he knows, Barry’s only hope is to race for his life. But will making the ultimate sacrifice be enough to reset the universe?
Despite a range of troubling reports throughout 2022 surrounding Ezra Miller’s behavior, he has stuck around to reprising his role from “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” (2016) and “Justice League” (2017). Luckily, his supporting cast is distractingly impressive: Michael Keaton, Ben Affleck, and Michael Shannon will all return to the DC universe as alternate-timeline versions of their characters from previous films (Batman, Batman, and General Zod, respectively). Other players include Ron Livingston, Kiersey Clemons, Antje Traue, and Sasha Calle as Supergirl, the first Latina actress to play the role.
“The Flash” races into theaters on June 16 via DC Studios and Warner Bros. Behold the trailer below:
