Phil Lord & Chris Miller’s The Flash Is “A Different Take On Superhero Stuff”

Critics of Warner Bros.’ and DC Comics’ dark and brooding cinematic universe were likely a little taken aback when it was announced that The Lego Movie masterminds Phil Lord and Chris Miller had been tasked with directing The Flash. The pair, also behind both Jump Street action-comedies, did not fit the studios’ previously set mold at all. It made a little more sense, however, when Lord and Miller were also handed Sony’s animated Spider-Man movie. According to Lord, though, the two projects are alike in how they’re both “off a little bit to the side” from their respective franchises.

Lord appeared on podcast Hippojuice and, without revealing any juicy details about either tentpole, commented on why he and Miller were attracted to them. When asked about the Flash movie, which will star Ezra Miller as the Scarlet Speedster, the writer-director said:

We’re trying to break a story. It’s interesting, because there’s a really popular TV show out there, and we’re trying to carve out space for the movie that’s apart from that. I think we’re doing alright. … I believe [our Flash] is going to be Barry Allen. … It’s going to be its own [thing, apart from the TV show] — we’re more trying to stick with the cinematic universe… it really is its own thing, and kind of a stand-alone movie. We’re just trying to think of the best story. I think you guys will like it, it’s kind of a different take on superhero stuff.

Lord is of course referring to The CW’s popular Flash series, which just completed its freshman run. Grant Gustin plays the TV Flash, who is also an interpretation of the Barry Allen comic character. The directing duo are smart in acknowledging the series’ existence and trying to set their film apart, though news that they’re trying to “stick with the cinematic universe” is a little worrying. Will Lord and Miller be able to go dark?

Here’s hoping their Flash movie keeps some of the vim and vigor that the pair displayed in their past projects – if this is a “stand-alone” pic for Warner Bros./DC Comics, that could open up the door for more creative freedom, though it doesn’t really compute that the studios wouldn’t be trying to tightly link The Flash to the universe of Man of Steel and Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice.