Phil Lord And Chris Miller Met With DC About ‘The Flash’ Before Leaving ‘Han Solo’
The galaxy — far away and nearby — was shocked when directorsPhil LordandChris Millerweresuddenly firedfrom Lucasfilm’sHan Soloprequel, with only several weeks left in the production. While Lord and Miller, who had previously directed irreverent comedies like21 Jump StreetandThe Lego Movie, were unlikely choices to helm a majorStar Warsblockbuster, they seemed like a good fit — fresh blood to invigorate the old-school approach of Lucasfilm and Disney.
It’s always unfortunate to see talented directors out of work, but according to reports, that may not be long for Lord and Miller. Before leaving theStar Warsspin-off, the directing duo had apparently met with DC Films under Warner Bros. to discuss another troubled blockbuster production:The Flash.
Lord and Miller apparently met with DC Films — which oversees the DC Extended Universe includingBatman v. Superman,Wonder Woman, and the upcomingJustice League —during the production hiatus ofHan Soloto discuss the possibility of directingThe Flash, according toThe Wrap.
Seth Grahame-Smith (writer ofAbraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter) was once on board to direct, but he fell away from the project as well, and then Rick Famuyiwa (Dope) came on, only toleave the project last yearover creative differences. The embattled superhero solo movie has hadtrouble nailing down a directorsince. It’s unclear to The Wrap’s sources whether Lord and Miller were already considering leavingHan Soloat the time.
But don’t be so quick to jump to assume we’ll see Phil Lord and Chris Miller directingThe Flash— The Wrap also reports thatRobert Zemeckisis still considered the frontrunnerto helm the superhero movie starringEzra Milleras the titular speedster.
However, with Lord and Miller so publicly out of a job, I think that may swing things in their favor — especially considering the fact that Warner Bros. had originally tapped them to pen the script forThe Flashin 2015. The script may no longer be recognizable after several rounds of edits from the revolving door of directors since both of the aforementioned filmmakers reworked the script, but Lord and Miller could feasibly return to the project they helped kick off.
Personally I would love to see Lord and Miller’s irreverent brand of comedy brought toThe Flash— who has often been the lone bright spot in a team of self-serious superheroes. The Flash has often been relegated to comic relief in animated or comic book team-ups, but bringing a more light-hearted tone to the dour DCEU is necessary for Warner Bros. right now. And with the critical and commercial success of the optimisticWonder Woman, that may be the direction that DC Films' co-headsJon BergandGeoff Johnsare looking toward.
Despite a troubled production,The Flashis still set to hit theatersMarch 16, 2018
