Why THE FLASH Could be the Savior Warner Bros. and DC Films Need Right Now


Over the past few months we have heard a lot about tone shifts and lighter themes whenever someone involved in the DC Extended Universe creative process discusses one of their films. When the films are actually released they never seem to live up to the hype the trailers create or reach their full potential. This has resulted in many fans and critics being weary of future DCEU installments, instead of being excited. 

Recently, THE FLASH star Erza Miller gave a few quotes to MTV News regarding his movie and the current status of DC Films. He praises everyone involved with the film and goes on to promise an “extremely fun” movie. It’s great to see someone who is passionate about his superhero movie, but really this is just more of the same. 

At this point, we have heard it all before: A fun, upbeat tone and a new director who will show us something truly different. Most recently with SUICIDE SQUAD, which was enjoyable as a summer popcorn movie but a far cry from the new and improved DCEU that has been promised over and over again. 


Despite the negativity, THE FLASH really does have all the makings of a great movie, including a solid cast and a wonderful director in Rick Famuyiwa (DOPE was an excellent film!). Barry Allen is the perfect character to bring true lightheartedness to this universe. We have seen in the JUSTICE LEAGUE trailer that the Flash’s humor does work well when put against the seriousness of Bruce Wayne. Then again, we have been impressed by trailers before only to left somewhat disappointed by the final product. It's going to take more than cool trailers and positive trailer reactions to get people excited for future DCEU entries. As unfair as it probably is to put all this pressure on one movie, whether it be THE FLASH or WONDER WOMAN, but DC Films is still in need of a savior. 

THE FLASH really shouldn’t even have a problem being a fun and lighter film if it stays true to the character. The more difficult task will be creating a coherent story with steady pacing as these have been other glaring issues with DCEU movies so far. This should be the real focus of getting this universe on track, the rest of it can come later. Give the fans a movie with a solid core and build everything else around it. 

There is also a chance WONDER WOMAN and JUSTICE LEAGUE turn out great, which will take a lot of pressure off THE FLASH. This would be the ideal situation but history has taught us not to expect this in the least bit. After all, if Flash doesn’t turn out so great we always have Grant Gustin, in CW's THE FLASH, to fall back on. And we can’t really say the same for WONDER WOMAN and most of the JUSTICE LEAGUE at this point in time. 

Basically, anytime an actor and/or director praises a DCEU film we have to take it with a grain of salt, almost as if it is some unsubstantiated rumor. The blind faith that comes with a built-in audience is no longer here and the creative teams have lost most fans' trust. The creative teams definitely have their work cut out for them as it is going to take a truly great movie to get people back onboard and restore faith in the DC Extended Universe.

Written by Tim Miller, DC Films Correspondent -- Click to read Tim's posts


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