Did 'Dope' director Rick Famuyiwa just land a job at DC Films?

Several Batman News readers just pointed out some potentially big DC Extended Universe news to me. Rick Famuyiwa, the writer/director of the 2015 movie Dope, recently went on a Twitter following spree! He started following, in this order: DC Comics, Geoff Johns, Wonder Woman, Gal Gadot, Suicide Squad, Zack Snyder, Ben Affleck, Ray Fisher, and Jason Momoa.

In between all of that, he also started following Channing Tatum and comic book writer Mark Waid. And to make things even more interesting, the new head of DC Films, Geoff Johns, started following Famuyiwa back recently as well.

I'm just speculating, but it would appear that he just landed a job at Warner Bros. on a future DC movie. The Flash just lost a director, could Famuyiwa be filling in? Cyborg and Green Lantern also need directors, and are due out in 2020.

Let me know what you think about this potential news in the comments below.

SOURCE: Rick Famuyiwa (Twitter)

148 comments

MMinParadise

May 28, 2016

Think this might be just him opening bridges as he starts work on his next film (a film about Napoleon, I believe), but this *would* be a good snag for DC. He'd make a good Flash. Dope is, yeah, dope.

12stepCornelius
May 28, 2016
I believe you're thinking of Cary Fukunaga.
1. MMinParadise
  May 28, 2016
  Ah, you're right. Thanks.

Wonder Woman

May 28, 2016

Wow, great story.

Someone followed bla bla bla bla on twitter, could he be the next DCEU director?

Drew Douglas
May 28, 2016
Go start your own website then...
BatmanNewsChris
May 28, 2016
It obviously must mean *something*. I don't claim to have any inside info... but Batman News is big enough to get this story moving around the internet, and it'll probably get the attention of a site like Variety or something now if there's a story here.
1. Jcool
  May 28, 2016
  Didn't Geoff Johns start following Viola Davis before she was officially cast in SS?
2. Jcool
  May 28, 2016
  It worked!
  https://twitter.com/heroich...
  1. BatmanNewsChris
    May 28, 2016
    See! :) Now if there's something to it, I bet we'll hear something in Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline, or The Wrap next week.
    1. That Other Guy
      May 28, 2016
      Hopefully not Birth Movies Death
Rude
May 28, 2016
Show some damn respect.
1. NostradennASS
  May 28, 2016
  He should put some respeck on it brah
singh
June 2, 2016
its funny since it has been confirmed monkeys like you should really shut up because only crap comes out guys like you
http://www.comicbookresourc...

NostradennASS

May 28, 2016

Cyborg.

Jcool

May 28, 2016

He also worked with Lord and Miller on a TV pilot. Which probably means nothing or could be they recommended him for Flash.
http://deadline.com/2015/11...

Chaturanaga Manchanayake
May 29, 2016
Please be Flash. Cause his creativity is awesome.

towblerone

May 28, 2016

Tatum is probably in talks for Booster Gold, which he'd be perfect for. As for directing, I HOPEHOPEHOPE it's for Vixen or Cyborg, most likely Cyborg.

Worlds Finest Comments
May 28, 2016
Cyborg, based off what?
1. towblerone
  May 28, 2016
  Because the director and the character are both cyborgs.
  1. Worlds Finest Comments
    May 28, 2016
    #CyborgLivesMatter
Tom of Steel
May 28, 2016
There is no Vixen in the DCCU
1. towblerone
  May 28, 2016
  There will be.
That Other Guy
May 28, 2016
But I do see that property never happening despite what them saying otherwise.
SAMURAI36
May 29, 2016
I'd see Tatum for Shazam before Booster.
1. TØM
  May 29, 2016
  Isn't The Rock playing Shazam?
  Edit: No, he isn't. Ignore me.
2. towblerone
  May 29, 2016
  Sh!t, you're right. Shazam is who I was thinking of... BUT he could work for Booster, too: a pompous jack@ass who's good with the ladies but is good buddies with a nerdy guy, which is exactly the role he plays in the Jump Street movies.
3. Cos Zorro
  May 29, 2016
  yeah that's what i always thought. He has that shazam charisma! But mark "eww" Millar is also courting him for the "huck" film.
Theclaw Yaww
May 29, 2016
Seriously a vixen movie get out of town
1. towblerone
  May 29, 2016
  I know, right? She's awesome!
  1. Theclaw Yaww
    May 29, 2016
    No it's a horrible idea she could maybe be a cw show but not a movie that's just ridiculous
    1. towblerone
      May 29, 2016
      Go away, weirdo..
    2. Theclaw Yaww
      May 29, 2016
      Says the guy who wants a vixen movie
    3. towblerone
      May 29, 2016
      A Vixen movie would be awesome. You have no vision.
towblerone
May 29, 2016
Gambit has already stalled out.

NostradennASS

May 28, 2016

But seriously, after Dope, he'd be perfect for Cyborg.

Kal-Il AKA Ultraman

May 28, 2016

if this is true....meh.

why can´t DC just nab someone really great and acclaimed for Flash ? Or at least someone that can get people excited or is a director veteran ?

Now if DC ever nabs someone like Robert Rodriguez, Matthew Vaughn, JJ Abrams, Joss Whedon (who is no longer attached to Marvel at this point) or George Miller, then you´ll see my excited face.

Owlman
May 28, 2016
What if we don't want to see your excited face ?
1. Kal-Il AKA Ultraman
  May 28, 2016
  Like I give a F.....lash about what you want.
Jcool
May 28, 2016
His last film Dope: 88%, based on 132 reviews, with an average rating of 7.4/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Featuring a starmaking performance from Shameik Moore and a refreshingly original point of view from writer-director Rick Famuyiwa, Dope is smart, insightful entertainment." On Metacritic, the film has a score of 72 out of 100, based on 37 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". According to CinemaScore, audiences gave the film an "A−" grade.
1. Kal-Il AKA Ultraman
  May 28, 2016
  Don´t care how good his last movie was. Not my kind of movie, never even heard of it until now. Just not something that gets me excited. Sorry.
  1. Jcool
    May 28, 2016
    And yet you want "someone really great and acclaimed for Flash" ....
  2. Worlds Finest Comments
    May 28, 2016
    "Not my kind of movie, never even heard of it until now".
    Then how do you know?
    1. Kal-Il AKA Ultraman
      May 28, 2016
      because I am very invested in my genres. If he had done something I would want to see, I would have at least heard about it
    2. SAMURAI36
      May 29, 2016
      And that automatically discounts him as being good? You do realize that there is alot out there that you may not have heard of?
  3. Blockhead Jr.
    May 29, 2016
    Watch it.
2. Tom of Steel
  May 28, 2016
  Dope sucks
Kal-Il AKA Ultraman
May 28, 2016
veteran? maybe. Don´t know him well enough to judge that. Acclaimed? Not really. most casual movie goers will never have heard about this guy before.
1. That Other Guy
  May 28, 2016
  No casual movie goers knew who Christopher Nolan, Colin Trevorrow, Rian Johnson or Gareth Edwards when they landed blockbuster films either.
  1. El Kano
    May 28, 2016
    I just don't understand that logic.
    "WB should just hire very very popular directors"
    I mean.. http://www.geeksandcleats.c...
2. SAMURAI36
  May 29, 2016
  Most casual movie goers have never heard of most of the directors of the movies they watch.
NostradennASS
May 28, 2016
LMFAO, Whedon can stay gone.
Tom of Steel
May 28, 2016
Joss whedon is a shit director
1. Kal-Il AKA Ultraman
  May 28, 2016
  Tell that to the legions of Buffy and Firefly fans....or you know the millions of people who loved Avengers and made it what BvS could only dream to be - the most successful movie in the superhero genre.
  1. NostradennASS
    May 28, 2016
    Tell that to Firefly's cancellation.
    Tell that to Buffy's poor ending.
  2. THE BATMAN
    May 29, 2016
    avengers was garbage lol the darknight is the best
NostradennASS
May 28, 2016
Chris, this guy is one of the reasons we all left btw.
1. Kal-Il AKA Ultraman
  May 28, 2016
  says the guy who insulted Chris in various posts. And if you left, then how can you be still here?
  what a bunch of self hating psychopaths.
  1. GaboPSN
    May 28, 2016
    "self hating psychopaths" lol
Tom of Steel
May 28, 2016
Rodriguez and Vaughn are shit too
12stepCornelius
May 28, 2016
Joss Whedon? How uninspired. Unlike the possibility of this particular director the article is about.
El Kano
May 28, 2016
Nobody cares about your whining brah.
El Kano
May 28, 2016
But they're loved by everyone and get people excited (????), so they're the best candidates
1. Jcool
  May 28, 2016
  They are? Whedon maybe but not Rodriguez.
  1. El Kano
    May 28, 2016
    Hey, that's what Ultraman said.
    Whedon it's only loved for the Avengers
    1. Mark
      May 28, 2016
      He's actually loved for his own stuff (Buffy, etc.) way more than for the Avengers. I doubt the driving force for many people to see those films was Whedon; he just had to not screw them up and I guess he did that.
    2. Ha
      May 28, 2016
      and hated by the same people for Age of Ultron
Pat Bateman
May 29, 2016
yo directors dont start out acclaimed
Meg
May 29, 2016
I see you're getting hate for this comment. Not totally unexpected, but I agree with you to a certain extent. I reckon DC can hire directors who aren't as well-known to direct their movies. WB has a good track record of finding new and unknown talents. But I hope they'll consider someone with a background of directing big-budget action movies for the Flash. IMO, they should play it safe first before getting adventurous and hiring someone less well-known but has a lot of potential later.
1. SAMURAI36
  May 29, 2016
  How does anyone know that this is for the Flash movie, and not something else? There are easily a half-dozen DC films he could be up for.
  1. Meg
    May 29, 2016
    Oh theoretically speaking, I suppose. Since the original comment mentioned the Flash, I think he was talking about this possibility. And hey, I didn't say anything about him directing the Flash did I?
    1. SAMURAI36
      May 29, 2016
      Not just talking about this poster, but the original article as well. It makes no sense to imply that he's up for just the Flash, for the reasons I stated.
      Not saying that he's absolutely not, but he seems to be more of a fit for Cyborg than Flash, IMO.
    2. Meg
      May 29, 2016
      Understandable. Because the Flash director has just left, so naturally people would think any new addition could be a replacement.

GaboPSN

May 28, 2016

If that's true, he'll be directing Cyborg.

NostradennASS
May 28, 2016
hey boo
1. GaboPSN
  May 28, 2016
  Oob yeh
Worlds Finest Comments
May 28, 2016
Based on what?
That Other Guy
May 28, 2016
Because?

Worlds Finest Comments

May 28, 2016

I enjoyed Dope, it's a very cheerful coming of age film that's not also not afraid to take on deeper subjects. I'm for this, especially if it's for Flash.

12stepCornelius

May 28, 2016

Interesting development for sure. Dope was pretty good. Wasn't a fan of the ending and most of the third act, but overall it was pretty good.

Worlds Finest Comments

May 28, 2016

Just because he's a black filmmaker who made one film with a black cast doesn't automatically mean he's directing Cyborg. If he has an interesting point of view for ANY character that WB and DC likes then he can do it.

Carl
May 28, 2016
There are three films mentioned above not just Cyborg.
1. Worlds Finest Comments
  May 28, 2016
  I'm talking about a section of the comments and tweets I've been seeing that are just automatically assuming he's doing Cyborg.
Worlds Finest Comments
May 28, 2016
Also a reminder that Cyborg is in 2020, Flash is in 2018 and still needs a director. If I'm putting money on it, it's on the fastest man alive.
1. That Other Guy
  May 28, 2016
  Same, if money was on the line I'm saying Flash too, Cyborg is still too far and they need to focus on Barry first.
  That being said, Shazam could also be a possibility. That's in 2019.
  1. James
    May 28, 2016
    Booster Gold?
    1. That Other Guy
      May 28, 2016
      No official release date yet, and I doubt Stentz has finished the script since it was only just confirmed that he was developing it. I would bet that wouldn't come out until after Flash, maybe before Shazam, but I still say Flash has higher priority right now for them.
SAMURAI36
May 29, 2016
He's actually made more than one mostly black film. As in, several.

Jesse Hernandez

May 28, 2016

I might be alittle late or something but is Channing Tatum still Gambit ?

GaboPSN
May 28, 2016
According to IMDB, he is.
NostradennASS
May 28, 2016
Yes, scheduled to start filming late this year, early next year AFAIK
Worlds Finest Comments
May 28, 2016
Until that movie that actually gets released in theaters I'm not holding my breath. Wouldn't be surprised if another issue came up or if Doug Liman dropped out too.
Jcool
May 28, 2016
Who knows. I doubt Gambit ever happens. They wanted that character to take over after Hugh Jackman left Wolverine. But Deadpool did so well that's not needed anymore.

GaboPSN

May 28, 2016

This article is legendary: http://batman-news.com/2015...

The good ole days.

GaboPSN
May 28, 2016
Lol, look what I've found, a gem from the past: https://disqus.com/by/disqu...
1. Alan Conn
  May 28, 2016
  Hahaha!
2. Mark
  May 29, 2016
  I miss the cute model avatar Felicia had. I realize it wasn't the actual poster, but still.
Alan Conn
May 28, 2016
That thread tho...

El Kano

May 28, 2016

Flash for sure. Or maybe Shazam

The guy has good track record. I'm in

grayghost84

May 28, 2016

I think Tatum would be the perfect Shazam!

Virgil Scott
May 28, 2016
That property is more than likely dead in the water.
1. Virgil Scott
  May 28, 2016
  We'll see. Not that I'm looking forward to it, even with Doug Liman attached.
  1. Wonder Woman
    May 28, 2016
    X-Men franchise standing on its feet without the mcu is bothering you right? But If mcu was making gambit, you'd be like HELL YEAH BRING IT ON. Since fox is making it, you're like mehh ok.
    1. Wonder Woman
      May 28, 2016
      i think he deserves it, to me he's the second best interesting character after wolverine in x-men. I'm looking forward to it.
    2. Wolverine
      May 29, 2016
      That will be awesome.
    3. Jackrydeher
      May 29, 2016
      First Class was supposed to be his "X-Men Origins: Magneto"...and for all intents and purposes, it was. Ultimately, they thought the story would work better with a team focus (and I think they were right). I'm of the mind that the X-Men movies (and comics in general) work better as ensemble pieces, with certain stories told through a particular characters' sense.
    4. Virgil Scott
      May 28, 2016
      Not really. I'm just not a fan of that character. And I'm not a gigantic fan of the MCU either (and think Civil War is overrated). For the most part I've enjoyed the XMEN films, X3 and Origins not withstanding. I have no desire to see a Gambit film anymore than I have a desire to see Thor: Ragnarok. The ONLY interesting aspect to the Gambit film IS Doug Liman. I haven't seen Apocalypse yet so I have no opinion on it.
  2. El Kano
    May 28, 2016
    Tbh, I don't think a Gambit movie is necessary
  3. Alan Conn
    May 28, 2016
    Id actually like to see a gambit movie... Rather have an early 90s xmen team film w him... But i agree i think its dead as well... :/
  4. Virgil Scott
    May 29, 2016
    I loved Edge of Tomorrow.
  5. Virgil Scott
    May 29, 2016
    GLC or Cyborg perhaps.

JagsEurope

May 28, 2016

He also followed Channing Tatum and Mark Waid (writer of "Flash" and "Kingdom Come"), so I think that it's either the Flash or Shazam movie. If it's Shazam, there's a good chance that Tatum left "Gambit" to play Shazam.

Rob_wesb
May 28, 2016
http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn...
1. El Kano
  May 28, 2016
  Still better than the John Cena fancast
2. IamTheOneWhoKnocks
  May 28, 2016
  That's a very good point...I could see Tatum and the Rock going at it, this could work very nicely.
3. OmegaCorleone
  May 29, 2016
  I have a hard time believing Tatum would leave the Gambit production. He lobbied for the role since forever and was very invested in it. It's a bummer for him that production got pushed back quite some time, but would he really choose Shazam over Gambit?
  1. ernest schoenmakers
    May 30, 2016
    Who's gonna play the little kid?
Wolverine
May 29, 2016
Don't care about a Shazam movie.Rather see Black Adam origin movie.
1. SAMURAI36
  May 29, 2016
  You can't have one without the other.

Alan Conn

May 28, 2016

Interesting... Wonder what may come of this!

Rob_wesb

May 28, 2016

I haven't seen Dope, but I've heard nothing but good things about it. It would definitely be an upgrade from the last director if this rumor is true.

Worlds Finest Comments

May 28, 2016

If it's Shazam I hope he does. The Jump Street films show he has a great man-child like sense of comedic talents, and she showed great density in Foxcatcher.

That Other Guy

May 28, 2016

Saw Dope on Netflix the other day, it's delightful. Damn shame a Static Shock movie isn't being developed (As far as we know) because this guy would be perfect for it.

SAMURAI36
May 29, 2016
There is a Static Shock TV show in development. That count?

Meg

May 29, 2016

Haven't heard of this movie Dope, or this director, but still if he really is stepping in to direct DCEU movies, I'll give him a chance. But please, not Green Lantern or Flash. The Flash movie will have to be so great it won't get overshadowed by the TV show, and the Green Lantern movie is seriously in need of being done justice to. They'll need directors with more credibility for insurance.

Jcool
May 29, 2016
http://memes.doublie.com/wp...
1. Meg
  May 29, 2016
  Man, I think I've got this for a reply for like...a hundred million times. Leave me alone.
dmac.2331
May 29, 2016
Watch Dope its a great movie, DC will be lucky to have him if this is true.
col42
May 29, 2016
Watch Dope, it's a great film. Has comedy, heart and a bit of action. Honestly, if they announced him as the new director for The Flash, I wouldn't be complaining.
1. Meg
  May 29, 2016
  Really? I'm gonna check it out sometimes later. It's just...a movie called Dope and with that plot is kinda, well, not my type. I did some research and apparently this movie was critically well-received and quite a lot of people liked it. So I suppose he does have potential. Still, I'm not saying he's not talented, but I just want a director who has experience in big-budget action movies for the Flash or Green Lantern, at least for the first movie. WB loves taking risk, and while sometimes it pays off but this time, for the reasons I said above, these two particular projects need insurance.
  1. SAMURAI36
    May 29, 2016
    He's done alot more than just Dope. Brown Sugar is hands-down, his best film.

Pat Bateman

May 29, 2016

hes likeable and entertaining. All depends on the character

Pat Bateman
May 29, 2016
neither is paul rudd. or cavill. but they work

Federico Murias

May 29, 2016

Maybe "Shazam". The Rock as Black Adam. Channing Tatum as Billy!

SAMURAI36

May 29, 2016

After the "fallout" of not having a director for Cyborg, WB appoints director of color in order to stop the hemorrhaging of talent from DCEU.

Yohn

May 29, 2016

My ideal director shorlist (all white males, I know):

- Alex Garland (Ex Machina) to direct Cyborg
- Wes Ball (Maze Runner trilogy) to direct Green Lanterns
- Shane Black (The Nice Guys, Iron Man Three) to direct Booster Gold (featuring Ted Kord's Blue Beetle)
- Duncan Jones (Moon, Warcraft) to direct Justice League

Haven't seen the whole Dope movie yet, but from the looks of it, famuyiwa is most likely going to direct The Flash or Teen Titans (??). The tone fits.

SAMURAI36
May 29, 2016
No thanx to any of that.
1. Virgil Scott
  May 29, 2016
  If Shane Black was to actually direct a DC film, an idea I'm no altogether opposed to, I think GLC would be a fit. The buzz says that they want to do a buddy cop style film with the Corps. Black practically evened the genre, so that fits. But also it would have another hallmark of a Black film: Hal and Stewart, a white guy and a black guy teaming up. Toss in Christmas and it would be a perfect Black film (because it's not a true Shane Black film without Christams). Though I'm not sure how you could slip Christmas into it, seeing as how it's supposedly mostly going to be set it in space.
  But Black's pretty busy, with The Predator coming up and him wanting to tackle Doc Savage, he may too busy. But then again, it would be feasible since GLC isn't until 2020.

Guest

May 29, 2016

How about director for Shazam? Channing Tatum as Billy? Maybe the reason why gambit is being delayed all the time. Tatum was in negotiations with WB.

This is just speculation.

OGDickGrayson

May 29, 2016

Could be GLC with Channing as Hal. Shazam with Channing as Billy. A couple possibilities.

Wolverine

May 29, 2016

Weak.

residentgrigo

May 29, 2016

I like the Shazam idea due to Famuyiwa´s focus on touchy feely pictures. His filmography started a bit spotty it seems but his recent Dope +Confirmation are now on my watch list regardless of where this one goes.
Tatum would be an amazing Gambit though, and i (mostly) like what Fox did to my beloved X-men, so i am in a no-win station. (Note that he also follows Snydra.)
WB´s directors stable is further quite diverse, cool.

RedHood

May 29, 2016

DOPE!!!

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Did 'Dope' director Rick Famuyiwa just land a job at DC Films?

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