Dope director Rick Famuyiwa has reportedly exited the Warner Bros. Pictures superhero movie, which was expected to begin filming next spring. He’s now the second filmmaker to depart the project after original director Seth Grahame-Smith left the film in May, also citing “creative differences” with the studio, and it’s uncertain whether the film will still be able to hit its scheduled 2018 release date.
Famuyiwa provided a statement to The Hollywood Reporter confirming his departure from The Flash and hinting at the issues that prompted his abrupt exit.
“When I was approached by Warner Bros. and DC about the possibility of directing The Flash, I was excited about the opportunity to enter this amazing world of characters that I loved growing up, and still do to this day,” he stated.
“I was also excited to work with Ezra Miller, who is a phenomenal young actor. I pitched a version of the film in line with my voice, humor and heart. While it’s disappointing that we couldn’t come together creatively on the project, I remain grateful for the opportunity. 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.”
The Flash currently features Ezra Miller in the title role, and the actor made his debut as the character in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. He later appeared again as The Flash in this year’s Suicide Squad. Miller already has commitments to appear in several other upcoming movies, and this could force The Flash to delay production until Miller’s schedule frees up again.
While there’s no word on what the creative differences might be that have forced two directors to leave The Flash, this isn’t the first project in the studio’s DC Comics cinematic universe to experience a sudden change in creative team. Back in April 2015, Wonder Woman found itself in need of a new director after Michelle MacLaren exited the film due to creative differences with the studio. (She was later replaced by current director Patty Jenkins.)
Unconfirmed reports have suggested that the studio has had difficulty blending the dark, grim-and-gritty tone established by Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel and Batman v Superman with the styles of incoming directors and their respective visions for the films they’re working on.
The Flash is currently scheduled to hit theaters March 16, 2018.
