How ‘The Flash,’ many years in the works and beset by turmoil, finally reached the finish line

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Producing “The Flash” and steering it to the cinema was a journey filled with a myriad of challenges. The movie was filmed during a pandemic, with a 138-day shoot causing prolonged separation from friends and family. Managing the availability of A-list actors for cameos, a lead star, Ezra Miller, grappling with legal issues amid a mental health crisis, and a studio experiencing leadership shifts and re-evaluating its DC Comics strategy, only added to the troubles.

However, their initial hurdle was to navigate the transportation of a two-ton Batmobile from Los Angeles to the U.K., against the backdrop of a global shortage of shipping containers in 2021. Furthermore, the project required the construction of a full-size replica of the Batcave from scratch.

Director Andy Muschietti and producer Barbara Muschietti anxiously awaited the Batmobile’s arrival, concerned it might end up stranded at sea. Upon its safe arrival, they faced their next challenge: transporting it into the Batcave at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden. The solution? A modified airport cargo truck hoisted 20 feet into the air to delicately roll the vehicle onto the set.

“Every step was a mini-adventure,” Barbara Muschietti humorously shared during an interview with The Big Big News.

This statement perfectly, albeit subtly, encapsulates the journey of bringing “The Flash” to theaters on June 16. Various renditions of this lightning-fast comic book character have been in the pipeline since the late 1980s, featuring ideas from stars like Ryan Reynolds and directors such as David S. Goyer and George Miller.

The project started gaining momentum in 2014 when Warner Bros. began crafting a shared universe of DC Comics films, with a Flash standalone starring Miller as Barry Allen. However, this path was not straightforward either. Disagreements over style, scheduling clashes, and multiple changes in writers and directors added to the complexity.

When approached for “The Flash” while concluding “It Chapter Two,” the Muschiettis did not dwell on the turbulent history. They found the emotional core in the relationship between Barry Allen and his deceased mother compelling and decided to commit.

“Birds of Prey” screenwriter Christina Hobson developed a story that was simultaneously fun and emotional, introducing the multiverse concept to the DC canon. The story sees Barry Allen attempting to save his mother, inadvertently landing in a different timeline and meeting a younger version of himself. This twist enabled numerous possibilities, including the return of Michael Keaton in a movie featuring Ben Affleck’s “Zack Snyder Batman.”

Yet, the project faced another hurdle during the extensive post-production phase when Ezra Miller made headlines due to legal issues. Despite this setback, the studio remained committed to releasing the film on June 16, even in the absence of their star from the promotional events.

Initial reactions, including James Gunn’s accolade as one of the best superhero movies he’s ever seen, have been extremely positive, with critics praising Miller’s dual roles.

Rumors suggest that the Muschiettis’ association with DC may extend to future films. However, their current focus remains solely on “The Flash”.

“Let’s just wait and see,” said Andy Muschietti.

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More about The Flash movie production

• The Flash (2023 film)
• Director Andy Muschietti
• DC Comics
• Ezra Miller
• Behind the Scenes of Movie Production
• The Multiverse in DC