Warner Bros. and DC Films are currently hard at work developing the long-awaited The Flash solo movie which will be Ezra Miller's first time being front-and-center in his own DCEU outing. He won't be alone, however, as the franchise has big plans to introduce the concept of the multiverse and bring debuts for numerous characters both new and old.
The Scarlet Speedster will find himself with a great deal of back-up even though the movie's specific plot details are still under wraps; Sasha Calle plays Supergirl and Batman comes back via both Ben Affleck and Michael Keaton. There are even rumors of Barry Allen having to look himself in the mirror against a dark version of himself that will wreak havoc in his universe.
With all this and more coming, The Flash could have the opportunity to come in as a film that captures the pure essence of what comic book movies are supposed to be. However, that isn't how one individual working on the film is looking at his work.
THE FLASH: AN EMOTIONAL AND VISUAL JOURNEY
The Flash cinematographer Henry Braham spoke with Collider about the tone and scope of the movie, as well as working with the cast.
Braham lauded The Flash for being "a complex movie" and "a fantastic concept" of joining so many generations of comic book movies into one on-screen story.
He said that "it's not really a comic book movie" and that he doesn't think "it'll ever come across as a superhero movie:"
“[The Flash is] going great. I mean, it's a complex movie, and it's a fantastic concept of bringing in the generations of these kind of comic books. Again, it's not really a comic book movie. It's not based in reality, but it’s a much more kind of technically complex — I think all the filmmakers are really keen that the technical complexity of the storytelling doesn't get in the way of just good quality filmmaking. Hopefully, I don't think it'll ever come across as a superhero movie. It will come across as a movie, and that's what it is. I think that's the way these things need to go. We need to be making great, great, great films that happen to have superheroes who have truthful characters behind them, with all the character flaws that we find in humanity.”
Praising the cast as "fantastic," Braham specifically pointed out Batman actor Michael Keaton as being "a genius" as he "recreate(s) that rile but in the present day."
However, Braham also commented on how he's "lucky" to get to work on movies he wants to see and that he's "not really interested in comic book movies" but rather films that "take (him) on a journey:"
“It's a pleasure working with the cast, as they're fantastic. Michael, of course, is a genius, and it's wonderful to see him recreate that role but in the present day. It’s wonderful. I think the movie has a massive scope, and I'm lucky to be able to work on movies I'd like to go and see. I'm not really interested in comic book movies. I'm interested in movies that take me on a journey, an emotional journey and a visual journey.”
NOT A COMIC BOOK MOVIE?
Looking at these quotes, Braham makes a solid point about The Flash being something of a technical marvel and how Warner Bros. is mixing that technicality with telling a thrilling story. Barry Allen certainly has his fair share of trouble to reconcile with in his past, and his interactions with new players in the DCEU will be something to watch closely as he evolves as a hero in his own right.
Braham and his team seem to be taking the approach of looking at The Flash as simply a movie rather than the next major comic book blockbuster that could change the DCEU. Even with this new solo outing having the opportunity to bring some classic elements of comic books and their movies into play, there are still plenty of aspects of the filmmaking process that would apply to any movie made.
All that being said, fans are still mostly looking forward to that side of the movie that will bring multiple Batmen and Supergirl into the same story as Barry Allen's classic speedy hero. With filming still a ways from being finished, there is anticipation building to see how those elements will mix together with the crew working to tell the best story possible.
The Flash is set to premiere in theaters on November 4, 2022.
