Is The Fastest Man Alive’s first solo film treatment no longer the infamous timeline-altering crisis known as Flashpoint?
The original comic book saga – written by Geoff Johns and drawn by Andy Kubert – saw Barry Allen aka The Flash awaken in a new timeline completely alien to him. He had never been struck by lightning, his mother is alive, Thomas Wayne is a murderous version of Batman, Superman was an imprisoned alien specimen, and Aquaman and Wonder Woman’s ancient nations are engaged in a war that threatens the Earth’s survival.
Flashpoint was used as both the red herring and springboard for DC’s The New 52 – the infamous but failed reboot of the entire DC Universe – until DC Rebirth revealed it to be the machinations of Watchmen’s Dr. Manhattan and Mr. Oz. The CW’s The Flash had beaten filmmakers to the punch and used Flashpoint for season three, albeit diluted and employing the consequences of that event as a yearlong, over-arcing plot.
At last year’s San Diego Comic Con, the title of the first Flash film was revealed to be Flashpoint, and previous reports had confirmed that Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman) and Jason Momoa (Aquaman) were signed on to reprise their respective roles. DC President Geoff Johns had also confirmed that the film adaptation of his brilliant story would be a faithful treatment.
However, THR reporter Boris Kyt, in his interview with Dan Mazeau for his script adaptation of the novel Armada mentioned that Mazeau was attached to the Flash film “when it was still called ‘Flashpoint.” This comment alludes to one of two possibilities: Ezra Miller’s first solo adventure as The Scarlet Speedster will be taken in a different direction, or the film will retain the original plot but receive a different title.
The latter is not that uncommon; for the animated adaption in the DCAU, the project was entitled Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox. There is also the possibility that the story will be reserved for a future Justice League film, given how many power players are involved and fans want to see.
Time will tell.
