Director Rick Famuyiwa has left Warner Bros. and DC Films’ “The Flash” over creative differences, TheWrap has learned.
A source close to the project said the film’s production as well as its release date will likely be postponed following the exit of the “Dope” director.
The film, starring Ezra Miller as the titular speedy superhero, was originally set for a March 16, 2018, release. But the studio wants to get it right, the source said, and is not rushing the project.
A similar thing happened when Michelle MacLaren left the studio’s “Wonder Woman” over creative differences in 2015. She was eventually replaced by director Patty Jenkins.
Famuyiwa gained notoriety for his 2015 indie darling “Dope,” and the big studio tentpole represented the biggest opportunity of his career thus far.
Leading man Miller will first appear in the studio’s “Harry Potter” spinoff “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” in theaters Nov. 18.
Fans got their first glimpse of Miller as the Flash in “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.” He also plays the part in the forthcoming “The Justice League Part One” and also appeared briefly as the fast comic book character in the summer hit “Suicide Squad.”
Seth Grahame-Smith wrote the script for “The Flash.” He was originally set to direct but exited the project due to creative differences.
“Lego Movie” makers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller were attached to direct “The Flash” before that and inspired Grahame-Smiths’ interpretation of the DC character.
Following poor critical reception and sagging box office of “Batman v Superman,” Warner Bros retooled its comic book-based slate coming out of its DC Films unit.
The studio switched things up since then, putting executive vice presidents Jon Berg and Geoff Johns in charge of its DC Films unit.
Warner Bros. had no comment on Famuyiwa’s departure.