In the initial stages, Warner Bros. was considering The LEGO Movie directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller to helm The Flash movie. But the deal wasn't sealed, as the duo was eventually hired by Disney to direct the as yet untitled Han Solo movie of their Star Wars franchise.
Last October, Warner Bros. confirmed Seth Grahame-Smith as The Flash movie's writer and director. The March 16, 2018 release would have been his first directorial assignment. But around a month ago, Grahame-Smith departed from the project due to creative differences with the studio.
Now, once again, The Flash movie has found a director. Deadline and multiple other sources confirm that Dope director Rick Famuyiwa will helm the Scarlet Speedster's standalone flick. The studio, however, has declined to comment.
After Seth Grahame-Smith dropped out, we came across reports that suggested that the studio was considering a much more experienced director for The Flash movie. Rick Famuyiwa might not be a veteran of big-budget movies, but he has been working in small-budget Hollywood projects since 1999.
The Flash movie’s new director has directed numerous small-budget movies in the past. (Photo Credit – Rotten Tomatoes)
Apart from Dope, the Nigerian-American director’s movies have included The Wood, Brown Sugar, Talk to Me, and Our Family Wedding. He also directed the recently aired HBO original movie, Confirmation.
Seth Grahame-Smith's script is still in play for the DC Extended Universe installment. But it is unclear whether or not it will get a rewrite, since Famuyiwa is also adept at penning scripts. What we do know for sure is that The Flash movie won't be an origin story.
Rick Famuyiwa is a better pick than Seth Grahame-Smith on paper, but The Flash movie is not the kind of movie that Famuyiwa has worked in the past. So, it is a major opportunity for the director.
