With a script for a potential Flash sequel already written, the wheels are greased for The Flash 2 but Warner Bros. hasn’t given the green light yet.
As The Flash races into theatres around the world, Aquaman writer David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick has already penned the script for a second movie. The biggest determining factor regarding whether the sequel will move forward, however, is how the movie performs at the box office.
The Flash is looking to match the success of Aquaman, which opened to US$67 million in 2018. The movie eventually grossed US$1.14 billion (£900 million) worldwide, and was renewed for the sequel Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom which will be released on December 29 this year.
What are the chances of The Flash 2?
The Flash is tracking to make between US$60 - 80 million in its domestic opening weekend, but at a minimum, it would probably have to hit numbers similar to The Batman (grossing US$770 million worldwide) before Warner Bros. would consider a renewal.
The question also stands whether the follow-up film has a place in the upcoming DC Universe. James Gunn and Peter Safran are completely reimagining the DCU, kicking things off with Gunn’s Superman: Legacy, scheduled for Summer 2025. Depending on what they have planned for the new and improved franchise, there may not be a place for The Flash 2. It’s possible that the sequel could be integrated into their new canon, or else it could be part of the DC ‘Elseworlds’.
DC Elseworlds is a standalone universe for movies that don’t fit into the larger, interwoven franchise Gunn and Safran are planning. This includes Robert Pattinson’s The Batman 2 and the upcoming Joker sequel.
The Flash director Andy Muschietti is likely to play an active role in the new DCU, with rumours that he is the top choice to direct the slated Batman: The Brave and The Bold. If a Flash sequel does move forward, it’s likely that Muschietti would also remain on as director for the speedy superhero’s return.
One of the features of the new DCU is that the same actor would reprise their role across all media (movies, television series, video games etc) in the franchise. Andy Muschietti is looking to do the same with any potential Flash sequels, confirming that Ezra Miller would stay on as Barry Allen / The Flash if he was to direct.
Despite the alleged abuse and legal issues surrounding Miller throughout production on The Flash, Muschietti confirmed that he would not recast the lead role. On ‘The Discourse’ podcast, Muschietti sat down with his producing partner and sister Barbara Muschietti to say “I don’t think there’s anyone that can play that character as well as they did. The other depictions of the character are great, but this particular vision of the character, they just excelled in doing it.”
Barbara Muschietti continued to praise Miller saying, “In principal photography, Ezra was brilliant and the most committed and the most professional [actor]. Ezra gave everything for this role - physically, creatively, emotionally. They were absolutely supreme.” It seems The Muschietti’s are absolute in their belief for Miller to lead as The Flash in any sequels, so their only remaining question is whether the follow-up film will actually go ahead. With The Flash hitting cinemas today, we’ll all have to see how it performs at the box office.
The Flash is now screening in cinemas.