DC Comics' “The Flash” film loses its director
LOS ANGELES -- The Warner Bros. and DC Comics film “The Flash” has hit a roadblock.
Director Rick Famuyiwa said in a statement released Monday that he and the studio could not “come together creatively” on the project, which he’d been attached to since June.
Ezra Miller is set to star as the speedy superhero in the film, which is slated for a March 2018 release. He appeared briefly as the character in “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice” and will be a part of 2017’s “Justice League.”
Famuyiwa, known for the indie hit “Dope,” appeared at Comic-Con earlier this year on behalf of the film alongside fellow DC directors Zack Snyder, Patty Jenkins, James Wan and Ben Affleck.
He is the second director to leave the project, as he joined after co-writer Seth Grahame-Smith departed earlier this year.
“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,” Famuyiwa said in the statement.
“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.”
His departure is the latest bump on the road for Warner Bros.’ expanding DC universe, which has had a somewhat gloomy year with critically derided but decently successful films like “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” and “Suicide Squad.”
“The Flash” is not the only superhero picture with troubles lately. Rival studio Fox recently saw the departure of “Deadpool 2” director Tim Miller, also over creative differences.