Monday, February 05, 2007

Goyer Departs The Flash

David S. Goyer has left the Warner Bros. production of The Flash. He announced the news at his blog on Friday, and the story was subsequently posted at sites such as Superhero Hype. Though Goyer had been enthusiastically preparing to direct the crimson comet's big-screen debut, and he'd already written the screenplay, he notes that creative differences ultimately ensured his departure from the project. In a related story that broke almost simultaneously, writer/director Joss Whedon has been dropped from the big screen production of Wonder Woman. What's happening at Warner Bros.?

"Well, I've been waiting a few months to relate this news--but I am sad to say that my version of The Flash is dead at WB. The God's honest truth is that WB and myself simply couldn't agree on what would make for a cool Flash film. I'm quite proud of the screenplay I turned it. I threw my heart into it and I genuinely think it would've been the basis of a ground-breaking film. But as of now, the studio is heading off in a completely different direction. I expect you'll hear of some new developments on that front shortly..."

I have to say that this news leaves me terribly disappointed. Based on what little information was leaked in interviews, Goyer's approach to the Flash film seemed intelligent, original, and ambitious. By all accounts, his version of The Flash would have stood apart from all other superhero films. Perhaps that's what frightened studio executives. Now, at the very least, the project will face extensive delays. Goyer posted further comments regarding his association with the project at his blog on Saturday.

"To be honest, when WB first approached me about doing The Flash, it seemed a little too good to be true. A part of me thought they'd never really make a movie like that. For the record, the script did involve both Barry and Wally as the Flash. I wanted to showcase the legacy aspect of the hero--as that was something that hadn't been explored yet in film. Like Batman Begins, the script drew on some seminal comicbook runs (Mike Baron, Mark Waid, Geoff Johns)... The truth is, I've had a remarkably good track record with these kinds of films so far, so I don't have a lot to complain about. My peers and I are well-compensated for what we do. We're essentially living the dream we'd envisioned when we were kids. Now we get to meet and work with people we viewed as roll models and heroes."

2 comments:

West said...

I was never particularly enthused about Goyer's involvement with the Flash movie, because he's had big hits and big misses, as far as I'm concerned.

That said, I'm mildly disappointed to find out that he's no longer attached to the project.

Maybe that's because I'd at least heard of him and dug some of his work. Also, I could think of worse Wally West's than Ryan Reynolds...

*gulp*

I just realized any movie they do is very likely to have Bart as The Flash.

Crap.

Dixon said...

That's the big question, isn't it? Will the film feature Barry Allen, Wally West, or Bart? Or, as would have been the case in Goyer's film, will we see more than one scarlet speedster?