In 2005, Warner Bros Pictures began developing THE FLASH from a script by David S. Goyer (“Batman Begins”), who was also slated to direct, and with Ryan Reynolds (“Deadpool”) linked to the lead role. Goyer’s draft was similar in tone to Sam Raimi’s SPIDER-MAN movies, and he consulted with MIT researchers to ensure the mechanics of superspeed were scientifically accurate. Warner ordered rewrites, leading to creative differences with Goyer, who left the project in 2006. He was briefly replaced by Shawn Levy (“A Night at the Museum”) and later David Dobkin (“Wedding Crashers”) before the project was retooled as a spinoff from JUSTICE LEAGUE: MORTAL and scrapped alongside it. Below is Goyer’s original treatment.
>Detective Barry Allen acquired superspeed after being struck by lightning and doused in chemical products, and uses his powers to protect Keystone City as The Flash. He is aided by his wife, reporter Iris West, and his partner, Detective Hunter Zolomon. The public believes the Flash to be an urban legend, aside from Barry and Iris’ nephew, Wally West, who admires Barry. Criminal mastermind Victor Vesp kidnaps Wally to lure Barry into a trap and steal his speed, which Vesp believes can cure him. Vesp’s machine malfunctions and Barry sacrifices himself to save Wally and the city. Hunter is crippled in the explosion, and Iris decide to reveal Barry’s secret to the world so he will be remembered.
>12 years after, Wally is a college dropout and part-time mechanic unable to move forward with his life. On the anniversary of Barry’s death, he is struck by lightning and develops superspeed. S.T.A.R. Labs researchers Tina McGee and Jerry McGee deduce that Barry transferred his speed to Wally on the night that he died and the lightning activated it. Wally becomes attracted to Tina, who has recently divorced Jerry, leading to tension between the two.
>Detective Barry Allen acquired superspeed after being struck by lightning and doused in chemical products, and uses his powers to protect Keystone City as The Flash. He is aided by his wife, reporter Iris West, and his partner, Detective Hunter Zolomon. The public believes the Flash to be an urban legend, aside from Barry and Iris’ nephew, Wally West, who admires Barry. Criminal mastermind Victor Vesp kidnaps Wally to lure Barry into a trap and steal his speed, which Vesp believes can cure him. Vesp’s machine malfunctions and Barry sacrifices himself to save Wally and the city. Hunter is crippled in the explosion, and Iris decide to reveal Barry’s secret to the world so he will be remembered.
>12 years after, Wally is a college dropout and part-time mechanic unable to move forward with his life. On the anniversary of Barry’s death, he is struck by lightning and develops superspeed. S.T.A.R. Labs researchers Tina McGee and Jerry McGee deduce that Barry transferred his speed to Wally on the night that he died and the lightning activated it. Wally becomes attracted to Tina, who has recently divorced Jerry, leading to tension between the two.
