Written By Kieran Bugg • U.K. Editor
Spider-Verse producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller revealed their original treatment for The Flash movie had SnyderVerse origins. Development on The Flash has seen many high-profile writers and directors have come and go.
Nonetheless, it’s sounding like Warner Bros. struck gold after hiring Andy Muschietti to direct The Flash. Many who’ve seen The Flash ahead of its global release have offered nothing but endless praise. In addition, the scarlet speedster’s first solo cinematic outing has even been called DC’s best project since The Dark Knight.
However, one has to wonder how The Flash would’ve turned out if any of the previous pitches were used.
As their animated Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse continues to top the box office, Lord and Miller have opened up about what could’ve been. Originally, they were also tasked with writing the story treatment for The Flash.
Given how critically and commercially successful the Spider-Verse franchise has been, one has to wonder how big their version might’ve been. Especially with director Zack Snyder’s involvement. These were the initial days of the DCEU. The Hollywood Reporter explained:
Lord and Miller were actually hired in 2015 to write a treatment for the film, and spent time taking a look at what-then DC Godfather Zack Snyder had planned for his universe.
Spider-Verse 2 Producers Reveal SnyderVerse Origins Of Earlier Flash Script
Image: Sony Pictures
During this period, there were even talks of them potentially directing the movie as well as writing it. Sadly, Miller and Lord ultimately stepped down following creative differences with Warner Bros. and DC.
Snyder introduced Ezra Miller’s the Flash in 2016’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Although BvS grossed a mammoth $873.6 million worldwide, studio executives expected more from the pricey movie.
However, the longer “Ultimate Edition” proved that they hurt Snyder’s vision with their creative interference; that superior version would’ve acquired a better reception overall.
While talking with The Hollywood Reporter, Lord and Miller explain how the new Flash differs from their original tale. Nevertheless, they also point out how certain elements from their story treatment have remained in the final cut.
Miller started off by explaining how the multiverse was never part of their plan.
He said:
It did involve time travel, but it was not a multiversal story, so I think it is safe to say that this is its own unique thing. There are definitely some things that were in the trailers that I’ve seen that were similar to things that are in our treatment, but I’m certain that, from what I know now of the story, it seems quite different from what we had.
To which Lord jokingly responded with:
“A lot of our treatment was about how much food he had to consume.”
Ironically, The Flash now has more in common with the Spider-Verse series.
Spider-Verse 2 Producers Reveal SnyderVerse Origins Of Earlier Flash Script
Image: Warner Bros. Discovery
Inevitably, comparisons between The Flash and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse will be made because of the proximity of their release dates.
At this point, Across the Spider-Verse is getting the better reviews from critics although The Flash can still catch up.
Then again, Across the Spider-Verse doesn’t carry the stigma of Miller’s previous legal issues.
In the end, it sounds like all those who previously worked on The Flash still have their own contributions to the finished product.
