In only a couple of weeks, The Flash finally arrives in theaters. To say it’s “racing” into theaters would be a lie given the years of hold-ups, not to mention the considerable doubt it’d be released following Ezra Miller’s high-profile legal troubles. But Warner Bros. needs this movie to be a hit, and assuming that it is, they’re more than ready to keep the franchise rolling.
Variety reports that a sequel to The Flash has already been written by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, writer of both Aquaman and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. Will it ever see the light of day, though? Well, the outlet’s headline says the script is “on ice” until decisions are made regarding Miller, who may or may not be asked to return. For what it’s worth, director Andy Muschietti has already stated that he won’t recast Miller if a sequel happens. It’s not really up to him though, is it?
There are some small details about the film, though, like it would see the return of Michael Keaton as Batman, as well as Sasha Calle’s Supergirl. They have the potential to be the breakout characters of this first movie, as nostalgia has fans eager to see Keaton suit up again, and Calle is a decided change-of-pace from the typical blonde-haired blue-eyed Supergirl.
The other factor, of course, is whether James Gunn wants to reboot The Flash as part of his new DCU. Driving that decision will be critical and box office reception. If the movie is a smash hit, then it would be tough for Gunn to start over.
Press for The Flash has been odd. Miller has stayed out of it completely, which is practically unheard of for a movie of this scale.
“Ezra wants the movie to open and the conversation to be about the movie and not about Ezra,” a source close to Miller is quoted as saying. “They are focused on their mental health and don’t want it to be transactional.”
As a further sign of the disarray the Miller situation has caused, multiple versions of the film have been screened. The CinemaCon version was minus some big post-credits sequences, but those are being added back in for theatrical showings. “Warners was looking to keep its options open” in regards to Miller and the Flash as the actor’s problems mounted.
The Flash finally hits theaters on June 16th, and it’s tracking to do pretty well with projections of around $75M opening weekend. It’s a marathon and not a sprint, though, so we’ll see what it all means at the finish line.
