| For other uses of Flash, see Flash (disambiguation). |
- " I completely broke the universe! I created a world with no metahumans, and now there's no one to defend us!"
- ―Flash
The Flash is a 2023 superhero film based on the DC Comics superhero of the same name. Co-produced by DC Films, Double Dream, and The Disco Factory and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, it is a sequel to, and spin-off of, both Man of Steel and Zack Snyder's Justice League, and both a crossover with, and sequel to, Tim Burton's Batman duology, the thirteenth and second-last installment in the DC Extended Universe as a new continuity will be established. The film released on June 16, 2023.
Directed by Andy Muschietti from a screenplay by Christina Hodson and screen story by John Francis Daley, Jonathan Goldstein, and Joby Harold, the film stars Ezra Miller as Barry Allen/Flash, alongside Sasha Calle as Kara Zor-El/Supergirl, Michael Shannon as General Dru-Zod, Ron Livingston as Henry Allen, Maribel Verdú as Nora Allen, Kiersey Clemons as Iris West, Antje Traue as Sub-commander Faora-Ul, with Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne/Batman and Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne/Batman.
A follow-up audio series, The Flash: Escape the Midnight Circus, premiered on July 10th, 2023.
A planned direct sequel was written by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, but it is currently unknown if the project will move forward in development.[1]
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?[2]
Plot[]
Rushing to get a sandwich, Barry Allen must turn into the Flash when he is called to stop a robbery at the Gotham General, where he rescues falling people from the hospital building with help from Batman and Wonder Woman. After arriving late at work, Barry ran into Iris West from school, mentioning this in a call with his father, awaiting his next trial. He thus remembers his mother's death that his father was wrongly acclaimed to be responsible for, running as the Flash until he discovers the Chronobowl through the Speed Force, in which he can interact with the past. He tells Bruce Wayne this before meeting Iris again, who indirectly inspires him to alter the moment where his mother forgets to buy the tomatoes, leading to her untimely death.
Having altered the past, Flash is punched out of the Chronobowl by an unknown entity. Ignoring this, Barry reunites with his parents until discovering an alternate version of himself, talking to him in his room. Realizing he messed up the timeline, Barry asks his alternate self what day it is, revealing to him the date of when he received his powers. Barry must get his variant to acquire his powers in little time, losing his own powers in doing so. The next day, after Barry had caused a catastrophe with his newfound powers, the Earth's technological devices get an interruptive transmission from General Dru-Zod, with Barry now knowing this is the day the Black Zero Event occurred, during which Barry saved a child, but not his father. The two Barrys now search for Batman, who could help them find Kal-El.
With him found in a Siberian black site, Batman assists the two in taking him with them, only to find out there is a Supergirl, Kara Zor-El, in this timeline instead. Kara helps the Barrys and Batman escape the black site and return to the Batcave, where Barry retrieves his powers through three lightning strikes. As a new Justice League, the four face Zod in a fierce battle where Batman and Supergirl inevitably die. Past Flash attempts to save them, now also being able to access the Chronobowl himself, but every time, he fails. Barry realizes that this event, Kara’s death, cannot be changed but Past Flash keeps trying, until the mysterious person, Dark Flash, that struck Barry reappears. Revealed to be Past Barry from the future, who still believes he can save his Earth, Dark Flash fights the two, having alternate universes collapse into each other the more they disrupt the fabric of reality. Nonetheless, Dark Flash prepares to stab Barry, only for Past Barry to take the hit for him. Dark Flash ceases to exist as Past Barry passes away, restoring broken realities.
Barry reverses time now to put the can of tomatoes back on the shelf and to say farewell to his mother. Unbeknownst to Barry, putting things right in itself has made a less extreme, albeit still alternate timeline, where his father is proven innocent. Barry also meets yet another Bruce Wayne. He also meets with an alternate drunken Arthur Curry to whom he tries to explain the concept of the multiverse.
Cast[]
- Ezra Miller as Barry Allen/Flash, Barry Allen/The Flash and Dark Flash
- Ian Loh as young Barry Allen
- Sasha Calle as Kara Zor-El/Supergirl
- Michael Shannon as General Dru-Zod
- Ron Livingston as Henry Allen, Henry Allen, and Henry Allen
- Maribel Verdú as Nora Allen, Nora Allen, and Nora Allen
- Kiersey Clemons as Iris West, Iris West, and Iris West
- Antje Traue as Faora-Ul
- Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne/Batman
- Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne/Batman
- Jeremy Irons as Alfred Pennyworth
- Gal Gadot as Diana/Diana Prince/Wonder Woman
- Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry/Aquaman and Arthur Curry/Aquaman
- Saoirse-Monica Jackson as Patty Spivot and Patty Spivot
- Rudy Mancuso as Albert Desmond and Albert Desmond
- Sanjeev Bhaskar as David Singh and David Singh
- Sean Rogers as Gary
- Luke Brandon Field as Al Falcone
- Uncredited actor as Nam-Ek
- Temuera Morrison as Tom Curry
- Rosie Ede as Mrs. Curry
- Nicolas Cage as Kal-El/Clark Kent/Superman
- George Clooney as Bruce Wayne
- Jason Ballantine as Jay Garrick/Flash
- Adam West as Bruce Wayne/Batman
- Christopher Reeve as Kal-El/Clark Kent/Superman
- Helen Slater as Kara Zor-El/Supergirl
- Henry Cavill as Kal-El/Clark Kent/Superman
- George Reeves as Kal-El/Clark Kent/Superman
- Burt Ward as Dick Grayson/Robin
- Jai Courtney as Digger Harkness/Captain Boomerang
- Eartha Kitt as Selena Kyle/Catwoman
Appearances[]
Characters[]
.png "Iris West (Flashpoint).png (249 KB)")
.png "Patty Spivot (Flashpoint).png (320 KB)")
.jpg "Danny (Flashpoint).jpg (126 KB)")
.jpg "Tony (Flashpoint).jpg (184 KB)")
.png "Superman (Superman and Supergirl).png (470 KB)")
.png "Supergirl (Superman and Supergirl).png (237 KB)")
.png "Superman (Giant Spider).png (940 KB)")
.jpg "Doomsday (Spider Beast).jpg (23 KB)")
.png "Skull ship (FaSB).png (96 KB)")
.png "Bruce Wayne (Post-Flashpoint).png (881 KB)")
Locations[]
- Multiverse
- Earth-1
- Earth
- Guatemala
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
- Ohio
- New Jersey
- Delaware (flashback)
- Metropolis (flashback)
- Heroes Park (chronobowl)
- Metropolis (flashback)
- Russia
- Pozharnov (chronobowl)
- Kingdom of Atlantis (mentioned)
- Earth
- Flashpoint Timeline
- Earth-1
Events[]
- Murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne (indirectly mentioned)
- Murder of Nora Allen (flashback)
- Kryptonian Attack
- Zod's Message (mentioned)
- Black Zero Event (flashback)
- Capture of Captain Boomerang (chronobowl)
- Skirmish under Gotham Harbor (chronobowl)
- Resurrection of Superman (chronobowl)
- Battle of Pozharnov (mentioned)
- Chase of Al Falcone
- Flashpoint Crisis
Items[]
- Earth-1
- Batsuit (blue & grey)
- Grapple Gun
- Flash Suit (micro compression)
- Monkey
- Plasma Carbine
- Apokoliptian Plasma Rifle (chronobowl)
- Supersuit
- Aquaman's Armor (chronobowl)
- Atlanna's Trident (chronobowl)
- Wonder Woman's Armor
- Bracelets of Submission
- Wonder Woman's Second Shield
- Sword of Athena
- Lasso of Hestia
- Flashpoint Timeline
Vehicles[]
- Earth-1
- Flashpoint Timeline
- Batmobile
- Batwing
- Black Zero
- Kal-El's Starcraft (mentioned)
- Kara Zor-El's Starcraft (mentioned; deleted scene)
- Kryptonian Dropships
- Post-Flashpoint Timeline
Sentient Species[]
- Amazons
- Humans
- Kryptonians
- Atlanteans
- Metahumans
- Parademons (chronobowl)
- Martians (disguised as human)
Creatures[]
Organizations[]
- Earth-1
- Flashpoint Timeline
- 24 CCN
- Central City Cab Co.
- Central City Police Department
- Gotham Globe
- House of El (insignia and members mentioned only)
- Justice League
- Metropolis News 8
- United States Army
- United States Air Force
- Sword of Rao
- Siberian Mercenaries
- Siberian Scientists
- Wayne Enterprises
- Post-Flashpoint Timeline
- Central City Citizen
- UWN NEWS 3
- Wayne Enterprises
Mentioned[]
- Eobard Thawne/Reverse-Flash (indirectly)
- Sara
- Sara's Boyfriend
- Mrs. Johanson
- Martha Wayne
- Thomas Wayne
- Dru-Zod
- Carmine Falcone
- Tom Curry
- Atlanna
- Kal-El
- Zor-El
- Jor-El
- Alfred Pennyworth
- Joker
- Joker
- Thomas Wayne (picture)
- Martha Wayne (picture)
- Victor Stone/Cyborg
- Victor Stone (picture)
- Barry Allen/Flash
- Ted Bundy
- Eric Stoltz (picture)
- Michael J. Fox
- Kevin Bacon
- Cats & Dogs (poster)
- Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (poster)
- I Am Legend (poster)
- Pacific Rim (poster)
- V for Vendetta (poster)
- Inception (poster)
- Back to the Future
- Top Gun
- Footloose
- Marty McFly
- Terminator
Production[]
Development[]
In 2006, Warner Bros. gave first pick to David S. Goyer to write for a DC film based on a character of his choice. Goyer selected The Flash and began to attempt writing a version for the screen.[4]
In June 2010, Warner Bros. hired Green Lantern and Arrow writers Greg Berlanti, Michael Green, and Marc Guggenheim to pen a treatment of the film. The script for The Flash would be based on the recent run by DC's Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns, and would feature Barry Allen as the first film incarnation of the Flash.[5]
In June 2014, it was rumored that the film would release Christmas 2017 following Justice League and Wonder Woman, and that it would be a team-up film uniting Flash with Green Lantern, the later character not being portrayed by Ryan Reynolds.[6]
On October 5, 2015, it was reported that Seth Grahame-Smith was in negotiations to direct the film.[7] However, on April 29, 2016, it was announced that Grahame-Smith had exited the project due to creative differences. The project would reportedly retain Grahame-Smith's script, which he wrote working off of a treatment from Phil Lord and Christopher Miller.[8]
In June 2016, it was announced that Dope director Rick Famuyiwa had been hired to direct the film, replacing Seth Grahame-Smith. The studio believed Famuyiwa provided a vision for The Flash that would resonate with young viewers, and also was compatible with the already existing script by Grahame-Smith that Warner Bros. intended to shoot with.[9] It was reported in August that The Flash would begin filming in London, England in January 2017.[10] On October 31, 2016, The Hollywood Reporter reported that Famuyiwa had left the film due to creative differences. Sources claimed that Famuyiwa intended to make a film with more edge, which clashed with the studio's ideas.[11] Other choices for directors included Robert Zemeckis, Matthew Vaughn, Sam Raimi, or Marc Webb, with Zemeckis and Vaughn as frontrunners.
On January 25, 2017, Variety reported that Joby Harold will rewrite the script for the film.[12] At 2017 San Diego Comic Con, it was revealed that the film would adapt the "Flashpoint" storyline and would also be titled Flashpoint.[13]
In January 2018, filmmaking duo John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein entered negotiations to write and direct the film.[14] Warner Bros. also had discussions with Ben Affleck to direct, but Affleck passed on the project and one of the studio's top picks, Robert Zemeckis, was not available due to a busy schedule. Daley and Goldstein were confirmed as directors in March 2018, and in April the film's title reverted back to The Flash.[15] On February 28, 2019, Deadline Hollywood reported that the directors will also write the script.[16]
On March 15, 2019, Ezra Miller and Grant Morrison were reported to be writing the film's script.,[17] In July 2019, director Andy Muschietti was reportedly in talks to direct the film with Christina Hodson writing, after Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley left the project.[18] Muschietti was confirmed as director and Hodson as screenwriter.
Casting[]
On October 15, 2014, it was announced that Ezra Miller would play the title role in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, his solo film and both upcoming Justice League films.[19]
In July 2016, Variety reported that Kiersey Clemons was Famuyiwa's top choice for the role of Iris West,[20] while The Hollywood Reporter's Borys Kit revealed that Rita Ora and Lucy Boynton were also among the list of top-runner actresses.[21] In August of the same year, Ray Fisher was confirmed to appear in the film as Cyborg[22], but later resigned from the film after an ongoing battle with Warner Bros.
On June 22, 2020, The Wrap broke the news that Michael Keaton was negotiating to appear as his Bruce Wayne from the Tim Burton films.[23] The same day, The Hollywood Reporter reported that Keaton was in talks to portray Batman in a multi-picture deal as a new mentor character for the DC Films.[24] On August 20, 2020, Michael Keaton was confirmed to appear along with Ben Affleck who will reprise his role as Batman in the film.[25] In September of 2020, Billy Crudup was revealed to be in talks to portray Barry Allen's father in the film.[26]
On February 19, 2021, Muschietti announced on his Instagram page that Sasha Calle had joined the cast of the film as Supergirl.[27] On March 12, 2021, The Hollywood Reporter reported that Maribel Verdu had joined the cast of the film as Nora Allen, while Billy Crudup who was set to play Henry Allen, had dropped out of the project due to scheduling conflicts.[28] Kiersey Clemons was confirmed to star as Iris West.[29] On March 22, 2021, Variety reported Keaton as having doubts about committing to the project, citing possible scheduling conflicts and problems posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.[30] On March 24, 2021, Variety reported that Ron Livingston will replace Crudup as Henry Allen. Additionally Ian Loh joined the cast to portray a young Barry Allen, along with Saoirse-Monica Jackson and Rudy Mancuso in talks to join the film.[31] On April 19, 2021, The Wrap reported that Michael Keaton's talent agency, ICM Partners, had confirmed the actor's return for the film.[32]
Filming[]
The Flash principal photography was scheduled to begin in February 2019, with filming taking place at Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden in the United Kingdom, and Atlanta, Georgia in the United States,[33] but the start of principal photography has been pushed back and is expected to start in late 2019, with a 2021 release date.[34] After numerous delays to the release date, the beginning of principal photography was rescheduled to March 2021 in September 2020.[35] However these plans were possibly changed together with the release date. On April 16, 2021, Deadline reported that production would begin in London.[36]
On April 19, 2021, Andy Muschietti revealed a new logo for the film, and confirmed that filming had begun. [37] On August 18, 2021, Michael Keaton confirmed he has wrapped filming on his scenes. On October 18, 2021, filming officially wrapped.[38]
Reception[]
Box Office[]
To be added
Critical and Audience Reception[]
To be added
Music[]
| Song title | Artist | Location(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Time | Pink Floyd |
|
| If You Leave Me Now | Chicago |
|
| Bad Fun | The Cult |
|
| Pedro Navaja | Rubén Blades |
|
| Alright | Supergrass |
|
| 25 or 6 to 4 | Chicago |
|
| Salute Your Solution | The Raconteurs |
|
| Si Tú Supieras Compañero | Rosalía |
|
| This Too Shall Pass | OK Go |
|
Release[]
The Flash was originally scheduled to be released in the United States on March 23, 2018.[39] It was later advanced to March 16, 2018,[40] which was eventually given to Tomb Raider.[41] The project was put on hold after the departure of Famuyiwa, and was now projected for a 2021 release.[34] On December 11, 2019, the film was scheduled to be released on July 1, 2022.[42] On April 20, 2020, the film was pushed forward to June 3, 2022 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.[43] On October 5, 2020, the film was pushed back to November 4, 2022.[44] On March 9, 2022, the film was pushed back once more to June 23, 2023. Warner Bros has clarified that VFX/CGI issues and the COVID-19 Pandemic was the cause of the pushback but then moved up one week to it’s final release date of June 16, 2023 Due to Positive Test Screenings.
Videos[]
Trailers[]
TV spots[]
Featurettes[]
Other[]
References[]
External Links[]
The Flash on Wikipedia- The Flash at the Internet Movie Database
