Jeffrey Dean Morgan: 'Flashpoint' is dead, 'The Flash' will be "more of an origin story"

Last year at San Diego Comic-Con, Warner Bros. announced Flashpoint. Now a year later, that movie appears to be officially dead. MTV caught up with Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who would have played Batman in Flashpoint (and hasn't been shy about teasing it). This time though, he had a disappointing update.

"When Zack Snyder was involved with the DC universe more, I think there was a real possibility," Morgan said about playing Batman in Flashpoint. "But now that he's kind of stepped away a little bit I've heard different things that Flashpoint might not be going in that direction. It will be more of an origin story for Flash." Check out his comments at the 9:34 mark of the video below.

Morgan's claims back up previous reports that said Flashpoint wasn't happening and that The Flash would go back to being a solo movie. Earlier this year, Game Night directors John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein officially signed on to direct The Flash.

Are you disappointed that Flashpoint isn't happening? Let me know in the comments below.

120 comments

nelson

July 25, 2018

Very good news in my opinion. Now recast The Flash.

Johgry
July 25, 2018
I think they're keeping all the Snyder castings. They seemed to have all worked out and nailed it thus far. So the Snyderverse is still a thing whether anyone likes it or not. They're not rebooting the universe.
1. kan
  July 25, 2018
  Doesn't sound like they are keeping FatFleck and the Flash movie is a long way off to determine who is staying and going. BTW, I saw on the entertainment channel that there is a strong rumor they are looking at Henry Cavill to be the next Bond. I wonder if that will hinder MoS2.
  1. nelson
    July 25, 2018
    Maybe that's why negotiations has stalled between Henry Cavill and WB because of Bond. He already played Superman for three movies and a cameo in Shazam. I think playing James Bond would a dream role for him.
    1. kan
      July 25, 2018
      I agree, would love to see him as bond. Even though Cavill had the appearance to play Superman, and an affinity to work out 24/7, LOL, I think I am ready to see someone else step in the role. 50/50, either way.
  2. andrew
    July 25, 2018
    Henry is an awful actor.
    1. kan
      July 26, 2018
      He is not awful, just one dimensional like much of the action stars, The Rock, Tom Cruise, etc. Every part they play seems like the last one.
2. Knight Radiant
  July 25, 2018
  Batfleck is gone.
  1. Trevor
    July 25, 2018
    Gadot stays
    1. Knight Radiant
      July 25, 2018
      I am glad you have a firm grasp on the obvious.
3. andrew
  July 25, 2018
  Batfleck is gone and Ezra is terribly miscast. He’s more of a Billy Batson than a Barry Allen. No one remembers Cyborg so who cares.
  1. Proto-Power
    July 26, 2018
    https://uploads.disquscdn.c...
    ...I care I liked Cyborg, I think with Erza think it might have been the directing and writing for his character I have an issue with stuidos saying we need a young inexpirence character to "balance this out" but instead of choosing a character from the source material that'd fit that role, they go let's take this guy and make him act like that
    1. Noctis Lucis Caelum
      July 26, 2018
      Exactly Barry is not like that they should have used Wally and Bart instead since Barry has his own TV show.
    2. Rust
      July 30, 2018
      "...I care I liked Cyborg."
      My man! ;)
      Ray Fisher is a fantastic actor with a lot of potential - and the same goes for Cyborg as a character.
      I know they were planning on more of a story for Cyborg regarding his decision to save people (as we see in the trailers), his rocky relationship with his father, and his connection to the Mother Boxes, which all ties in to his wrestling with whether or not he's even still human.
      Such a bleeding shame they scrapped all that, because it would have made JL much more special. They probably thought it was too much 'depressing baggage' for an audience that has whinged about that very thing.
      The point everyone is missing is that these hardships are what makes these characters real heroes, because the whole goal is to find hope in dark times and overcome that weight.
      #BORGLIFE
      I hope we get a Titans movie with him and whoever is gonna play Nightwing, honestly.
    3. Proto-Power
      July 31, 2018
      https://uploads.disquscdn.c...
      I agree with everything you just said! lol
  2. Nahuel Benvenuto
    July 26, 2018
    Ezra needed the red hair, but because of the footage from reshoots we saw in JL we know nothing about the character portrayal
    1. Hunter Zolomon
      July 27, 2018
      Barry is Blonde, i thought you comics? Clearly that's bullshit then.
4. Noctis Lucis Caelum
  July 26, 2018
  I have an idea since they are having a soft reboot I did like Ezra Miller as the Flash but not as Barry Allen but make it where he is Bart Allen instead I just don't want an Origin movie of Barry since we already have the Flash TV show.
Jesse Hernandez
July 25, 2018
Ehhhh I don’t think so... I liked Millers incarnation of The Flash.. they just made him alittle to silly
1. ItzSilentStorm
  July 26, 2018
  basically. I feel like they were trying to make him "fun and relatable" with that whole awkward weird guy schtick but it just came off as odd and to some a bit annoying. The potential is there though. Just needs some tuning.
  1. Jesse Hernandez
    July 26, 2018
    That was the one turn off... the line in JL “Also I have a fear of drowning” felt off and felt like they added in there in Post I just feel like they made him alittle to much of a .... I can’t find the word but I enjoyed him I just felt like I was watching a 17 year old Flash
    1. ItzSilentStorm
      July 26, 2018
      pretty much. Just make him a bit more mature
    2. Nahuel Benvenuto
      July 26, 2018
      reshoots ruined the whole movie, they took out all the backstor yand development of Aquaman, Flash, and Cyborg (Not to mention Wonder Woman Batman and Superman)
NinjaGamer13
July 26, 2018
He’s not my favorite, but he wasn’t horrible. And he certainly was a hit with the GA, from what I’ve gathered, so I really doubt they’ll be recasting, for better or for worse.
marcelo
July 26, 2018
Please warner bros we need a blonde and hetero and no jew Barry Allen. Please Warner Bros is time to stop with this disgusting pro lgbt movement, the hetero people are they 90% in the world , that is the answer why Marvel ever Wins You. They most of the people don't like Watch lgbt characters on screen.
1. Mr Smith1466
  July 27, 2018
  Everything you just said is wrong. Everyone who reads your comment is now actively dumber because of you. I award you no points and may God have mercy on your soul.

DickyBird

July 25, 2018

There are far too many stories to tell to start Flashpoint. That’d be worthless. It was basically a story to start over and get newer readers and clean up the edges and they essentially rebooted their reboot in the comics at this point. Just keep telling stories and keep moving forward.

kan

July 25, 2018

Now DC is getting, it seems. Start with origins and build upon the character. Now completely remove Snyder's taint by replacing the actor, who appears and acts nothing like his comic book version. #NotMyFlash

StarTheory
July 25, 2018
What is it with this notion that if you are young you need to act childish?
1. Seb is a Socialist
  July 25, 2018
  what is with this notion that if your constipated u need a profile pic to match.
2. kan
  July 26, 2018
  It was poorly scripted jokes and a combination of bad acting. He needs to go.
  1. Bartholomew Hunt
    July 26, 2018
    Ezra acted well on JL .He may be a miscast and his character was used as comedic relief ,but none the that is on him.
    1. kan
      July 26, 2018
      I don't think he has the acting chops (eyes darting side to side is like bad acting 101) but I admit I am really biased because he doesn't fit the Flash persona from the comics.
Fréaláf Hildeson
July 25, 2018
He was great in JL.
Enjoy Momoa in Aquaman and Gadot in WW84!
Irwin Schwab
July 26, 2018
Grant Gustin acts nothing like the Flash either, but I’m willing to bet you’re a fan of him...
1. kan
  July 26, 2018
  No. I am not a fan of any of the CW cheese, including Grant Gustin as the Flash.
NinjaGamer13
July 26, 2018
He’s not my favorite, but he wasn’t horrible. And he certainly was a hit with the GA, from what I’ve gathered, so I really doubt they’ll be recasting, for better or for worse
Nahuel Benvenuto
July 26, 2018
You are an idiot, if you think that "getting it" is making dumb movies like most of the mcu are, may i remind you child that a movie like Guardians of the Galaxy or Captain America: Civil War introduced new characters? Also what you call "Snyder taint" is your hatred towards him and not any valid artistic complaint. Also, the Falsh you saw in the JL movie was mostly whedon, so get your facts straight.
1. kan
  July 26, 2018
  Didn't read. Your opinion means nothing to me.

nelson

July 25, 2018

Nicholas Hoult for The Flash or maybe Batman.

Jesse Hernandez
July 25, 2018
Batman ? Lmao you serious ? ... Ezra Miller is the Flash already
Rust
July 25, 2018
He's great, and I'd like to see him in a DC role, but I think Batman is a poor fit.
For Flash, I can see him doing it visually, but I'm not convinced he's got the right kind of charisma for Barry. Most people seem to like Ezra anyway, so I say let him have his run.

Kerk Lastnameless

July 25, 2018

Good.

Matt Petersheim

July 25, 2018

O great, lets do another boring origin story. We could do a great twist on the Super Hero Genre but no, lets keep with the origin story because its easy and we arent creative. We only have about 28 of them already.

Rust
July 25, 2018
"We could do a great twist on the Super Hero Genre ... "
People hate when you do that now'days. You have to follow the rulebook, or it's considered trash.
1. Matt Petersheim
  July 25, 2018
  So you have to do another Origin movie? This Super craze has been going on for almost 20 years and we are still stuck doing these stupid origin movies.
  1. Rust
    July 25, 2018
    You don't have to; I'm just saying people are ready to be outraged about the slightest step out of what they consider boundaries.
    Personally, I don't think it's that big of a deal if they do a new twist on the origin (to me, it's timeless), provided it's a great movie and has a lot of emotion and potent themes.
    It's not like it'll be Batman Begins Redux. I'm sure Reeves' version would have plenty of uniqueness, and I'd be interested in seeing the way he spins his own tale.
    1. Matt Petersheim
      July 25, 2018
      o man, dont even get me started on Reeves trying to do Year One for The Batman. We already had Batman Begins. We all know how he starts off. Just hive us an original Batman movie, keep him 35 and give us a good story
2. Matt Petersheim
  July 26, 2018
  Logan wasnt that different from any other Superhero movie. If they wanted to be different, they should have done it like Old Man Logan. The bad guys have won, the future is ruled by them and Logan is out there just trying to survive. That would have been great.
3. Rust
  July 26, 2018
  Logan did what everyone wants and expects of Wolverine. It may be a more serious movie, and it was excellent, but it didn't break any rules.
  1. Rust
    July 26, 2018
    "It killed off two major characters in a franchise."
    To be fair, this is Xavier's second death in the franchise. ;p
    Ooh, it feels wrong to make light of that. I loved him so much in Logan. :(
    I'm not sure people mind characters dying as long as it's in a context they're comfortable with - like Logan and DofP's futures are considered potential futures, and somewhat distant futures, so those eventual demises can be considered "What if?" stories.
    Cyclops is a different kind of beast, as we saw, and I actually agree with the fan response on that (though the performance was great and it did make the movie more impactful) if only because the character had so much missed potential.
    There're also the villains who are on-going characters in the books that are constantly being killed off in these films and it's mostly been just accepted as normal... ...until Man of Steel, anyway.
    There's a bit of a double-standard to be examined as well as far as applying the 'rules' goes, I'd say, but that's another can of worms.
    1. Matt Petersheim
      July 26, 2018
      I just thought it sounded like a good idea to have a Flash movie where the timeline is screwed up and he has to figure out a way to fix it. It sounded like a good concept and it would have set it apart from every other Superhero movie that follows the same formula.
    2. Proto-Power
      July 26, 2018
      I think part of what upset people about with with Man of Steel, and I'd add BVS in there too, Batman and Superman are the Biggest names in there is in the super hero genre most people know a decent amount of their lore based on popularity, and most people know they don't kill so when they had Superman kill off Zod and Batman murdering Henchman even the GA wasn't into it.
Fréaláf Hildeson
July 25, 2018
Why wouldn't an "origin story" be creative? Especially compared to a "superhero movie" (there are about 5000 of those).
If anything, origin stories are more unique and specific to the character than their sequels.
1. Chuck
  July 25, 2018
  Just about every superhero movie starting off is an origin story...not sure where you're getting the unique part from.
2. Matt Petersheim
  July 25, 2018
  Every origin movie is the same no matter what hero it is. It always follows the same formula.
3. ZaQueerdo
  July 25, 2018
  Wait...so superhero movies aren't unique, but origin stories (which account for probably 75 percent of all superhero movies) aren't?
The Question
July 26, 2018
The general audience don't know the origins of the flash. Only small percentage have read the comics, seen the animated shows and the show compared to most of the general audience. First introduce the flash, his world and character and then start telling stories with a twist.
1. Matt Petersheim
  July 27, 2018
  That could be taken care of within the first 5 minutes of the movie. Simple dialogue, some clips and you understand who he is. The audience isnt that dumb and it isnt a Game of Thrones backstory. Just give us a cool, comic book movie. Flashpoint Lite. We dont need more origin stories.
  1. The Question
    September 6, 2018
    Why rush an orgin story? The flash origin sets up the groundwork for most of his rogues gallery, it sets his issue with his mother and sets up a good overarching antoganist. Something if done well could be brilliantly utilized as an introduction to the character. Rather than flashbacks like in man of steel.

Oliver Euvino

July 25, 2018

It was the time to use the "death of superman" or doomsday in BvS? No. And now it's not the time to use flashpoint. That makes sense to me

Abbey Bominable
July 25, 2018
Now im reminded of how Snyder wasted the death of superman plot. Sad.
NinjaGamer13
July 26, 2018
Superman’s death was the next natural step for this story
Mr Smith1466
July 27, 2018
Doomsday worked in BvS for me because I liked the whole idea that much of the conflict around the movie is to do with the vital role that women play.
Superman was the hero because he was open and comfortable with his mother and Lois.
Batman started macho and stupid, but through Wonder Woman and recognizing the role his own mother played, he became a hero.
Lex was the villain because he was entirely consumed by daddy issues, openly killed the couple of women loyal to him (senator lady and evil assistant lady) and finally birthed a monster without a mother (doomsday) that embodied all the empty macho stupidity that nearly consumed Batman.
BvS wasn't trying to be the Death of Superman.

Knight Radiant

July 25, 2018

Hopefully an origin story for Wally West because Barry Asperger ran himself into oncoming traffic.

Noctis Lucis Caelum
July 26, 2018
Exactly I rather have Wally be the flash for the movie.

Knight Radiant

July 25, 2018

I would have thought that but I feel we already got a pretty good interpretation of Flashpoint Batman in DOJ. Seeing a pushed too far Batman has already been done.

myzterius
July 25, 2018
Exactly!!! The punisher in BvS already was on a killing spree. There's no need for a Flashpoint Batman since he already crossed that line, even though instead of bruce, it was his father.
1. jrvc
  July 25, 2018
  killing spree? that's quite the exaggeration...
  1. myzterius
    July 25, 2018
    Not really.
    1. jrvc
      July 26, 2018
      quite really, it only happened twice in the movie (a movie which you yourself admitted not remembering well
    2. myzterius
      July 26, 2018
      You might want to watch the movie again, because he killed way more than 2 people.
    3. jrvc
      July 26, 2018
      Never said it was only two people, I said it only happened twice in the movie, and both times shooting at vehicles and not directly to people
  2. Knight Radiant
    July 25, 2018
    Not hardly.

IamTheOneWhoKnocks

July 25, 2018

Great news!!.....save that epic story for later on, once all of the major characters in this universe are established. I like what I am hearing from the DCEU, for the most part, it looks like they are going to hit the reset button. Awesome news.

Shadowknight1

July 25, 2018

Well, I want his take on Thomas Wayne's Batman, but it's far too soon to be thinking about Flashpoint.

jrvc

July 25, 2018

I don't really mind the movie not being Flashpoint, but heck having Morgan as Thomas Batman would have been glorious to see! The same about witnessing a war between Amazons and Atlantians

Abbey Bominable

July 25, 2018

It's too soon to make Flashpoint. Save it for the 3rd movie!
Snyder seems to only care about the destination, but not the journey.

NinjaGamer13
July 26, 2018
There were about a dozen different versions of the Flash movie going on with each change of director and such. It had nothing to do with Snyder.

Abbey Bominable

July 25, 2018

Its too soon for a Flashpoint movie. Save it for the 3rd Flash movie.

AquamanIsCool

July 25, 2018

Damn i didn't realize so many people didn't like Erza Miller. I thought he did a great job. Better director and script would be better.

Rust
July 25, 2018
I think it's more of a vocal minority. In general, people have seemed to think he was a highlight from JL and want him to have his own movie.
1. AquamanIsCool
  July 25, 2018
  Thats what i thought too
2. Rust
  July 25, 2018
  Not an immediate choice for me, but I'd be open to him as Tim. Right now, I'd go for someone younger though.
ItzSilentStorm
July 25, 2018
he just needs different writing and direction imo. I think the new director duo will be good for him. Keep his humor and charisma but add some of the classic traits of Barry Allen so its not a totally different character.

Fréaláf Hildeson

July 25, 2018

Great news, no need to deal with the Flashpoint nonsense in the first movie (or at all).

Now if only Warner could hurry it up... They already have a lot of DCEU movies in production, but the Flash deserves it (most famous superhero without one).

Batpod4L

July 25, 2018

Beef him up, dress him up, and darken his hair....Boyd Holbrook for Batman/Bruce Wayne

Police Android #23

July 25, 2018

There was an opportunity for DC/WB to be completely unique and different from Marvel's/Disney's output and there is no doubt that what Marvel/Disney has done is completely unique and different than everything that came before. But that opportunity for DC is long gone.

It doesn't matter what one's opinions are regarding Zack Snyder's creative output (which, when argued against, have been largely described with the wonderfully-specific critique of "HE SUCKS"). He had a very unique idea that I, personally, would've liked to see in-full, on-screen, because it would've given DC movies their own image and voice. He also had a lot of creative minds who agreed with that particular direction. It would've been new, and it would've solidified DC as DC, rather than DC-in-the-form-of-Marvel now.

It's very disappointing. In my opinion, variety and diversity are important for artistic enrichment. Unfortunately, the almighty dollar rules the land, so we must pay (or not pay) for homogeneity.

Fréaláf Hildeson
July 25, 2018
DC movies look to be more diverse, with far more creative freedom for the directors and writers; it is a good thing.
DisneyMarvel copying Iron Man over and over is the opposite of "unique and different".
1. Police Android #23
  July 25, 2018
  I think Marvel's uniqueness comes from their ability to create a massive web of stories that all have involved each other in some way, and their ability to popularize the much-less-widely-known characters from their comics.
  Edit: I do agree though that Marvel's overall style is no longer unique and different.
  I was very intrigued by the timeline that was set-up in the beginning of the new DC movie universe as an answer to what Marvel was doing, and really wanted to see more of that. I feel like it would've eventually gotten to a more general-audience-friendly point, but the studio decided to fast-track that instead of take the time to get there.
2. ZaQueerdo
  July 25, 2018
  Creating a massive interconnected franchise the likes of which hadn't been done on film before very much is, save perhaps for possibly the old Universal Monsters films of old. It's why everyone else in Hollywood suddenly started trying the same thing as soon as they saw how successful Marvel was doing with it.
CloakedSparrow
July 27, 2018
I agree that it would have been interesting to see the original plan followed through. To me, it appears that what happened was that the target audience changed. The DCEU originally appeared as if it was going to be
the comic book franchise for comic book fans, as opposed to the MCU,
which is for general audiences. There's nothing wrong with making the films for either audience, but you have to make different films depending on who you're making them for. With comic readers as the target
audience, Snyder's vision for BvS & Justice League (as well as LoD, & Flashpoint) made sense as early
films in the franchise because you just have to skim over the origins
to jump into more complex stories.
The problem was that WB couldn't
stick to the plan, starting with the second film in the franchise. They wanted
run times, color schemes, and the overall tones to match what was
already selling in the CBM genre in order to appeal to general audiences. They should have made a call back then and stuck to it either way.

rtxj

July 25, 2018

Seriously though JDM as Batman and Lauren Cohan as the Joker could have been epic... But then random people who don’t really know the story would cry about Batman using guns and the Joker being a girl. We don’t need origin stories this late in the game. That should have come before JL. If they really wanted to move on from Snyder, Flashpoint would be a great way to do that and get away with recasting and changing directions.

ZaQueerdo
July 25, 2018
I don't quite get why people keep saying Flashpoint would've been a good way to move on from Snyder. Don't make a big deal of it; just move on. We're already seeing the Wonder Woman films ignore parts of Batman v. Superman and it looks like we're about to get a new Batman as well. The audience doesn't care all that much about how the continuity of this franchise works right now.
1. StarTheory
  July 25, 2018
  Yeah but all WW ignored was a line that most probably didn't even pay attention to. If you start making drastic changes then people will question.
  1. ZaQueerdo
    July 25, 2018
    I think you're overestimating how much the general audience actually gives a shit about this continuity right now. For my money, Ben Affleck was awesome and deserved a better Batman movie. But if the next Batman movie stars someone else or ignores parts from BVS, I doubt there's gonna be mass boycotts and rioting in the streets.
2. rtxj
  July 25, 2018
  Because, making changes and ignoring previous movies with no reason would raise more questions and have people complaining more. If you follow a different direction after Flashpoint it would just be part of the continuity moving forward.
  1. ZaQueerdo
    July 25, 2018
    Like I said below, I think people are overestimating how much the public is actually invested in stuff like continuity. If Batman is suddenly younger and played by a different actor most people won't care as long as the movie is good.
    1. rtxj
      July 25, 2018
      Yeah, but those movies are most likely going to be prequels, and still be part of the continuity. I’m ok with one shot movies also, but with the characters established already in the dceu I’m sure people do care for the continuity. If WB doesn’t follow it, I think people will feel cheated for investing their time and money watching and waiting for these stories to come out.

Ravager

July 25, 2018

The Flash doesn't need to be replaced, they just need to fix the crappy running.

rtxj
July 25, 2018
Lol agreed

ZaQueerdo

July 25, 2018

So between this and the recent report about the Legion of Doom not moving forward, it seems Hamada is smart enough to realize WB needs to stop putting the cart before the horse.

Make good movies. Let the audience like them. Then once you have an in, maybe try crossovers. Crossovers should not be your first goal.

StarTheory

July 25, 2018

The Flash should have the Rogues, the sequel about Grodd and then do Flashpoint with a speedster ala Reverse Flash.

Now that would be a unique and interesting trilogy.

Reverse_Flash

July 25, 2018

#RecastTheFlash

Mark

July 25, 2018

Do some Rogues; there's no need to do Flashpoint, or CoIE, or Zero Hour, or any of the other continuity-intensive crossovers as movies. Personally I don't think a Flash movie should involve time travel at all, because it distracts from the core of the character (which is running really, really fast). But I wouldn't mind them inserting Ezra's idea of Flash, in the middle of the Speed Force, encountering and giving a little wave or wink to Grant Gustin.

DickyBird

July 25, 2018

And The Flash doesn’t need an origin story. I didn’t say it earlier, just that I was glad we wouldn’t have Flashpoint. It can be summed up quickly in a five minute montage, but they need to focus on moving forward. He’s now saved people. I really HATE that he had such a well designed suit, but hadn’t “battled” as he put it, although the flash really doesn’t need to fight that much. We just need to naturally meet those that help him or see what he does on the daily. Just let us peer into his life.

Mark

July 25, 2018

This is too funny:

https://twitter.com/SYFY/st...

NinjaGamer13
July 26, 2018
This is great lol, love it

NinjaGamer13

July 26, 2018

Good news

Iss

July 26, 2018

Having a Flashpoint story as the first flash story isn't a good idea it can work after 2 sequels for ww and flash and aquaman when we are familiar with the characters but having a parallel universe just in the beginning of the cinematic universe will destroy the image of wonder woman and aquaman and that's not good

hush

July 26, 2018

Flashpoint was to ambitious of a project for WB anyway, Snyder would have pulled it off though. Now that he is gone WB will have to reinvent the way to make relevant movies or rather make them similar to MCU in tone to make more money. They have already tried this with Green Lantern :D

p.s. I can't stop thinking about how WB treats the directors - they give them free hand, people hope for really unique films with a lot of material pullled straight from comic pages (e.g. abusive relations between the Joker and Harley Quinn and obviously the Justice League movie) and then they water everything down to match current trends so in the end you get actors in costumes instead of comic book characters and a 2-hour or more of mtv inspired videoclip. I wonder why directors do not stick by their guns...

thefallen83

July 26, 2018

Honestly, I'm starting to hate this "origin story" thing.

It. Is. Not. A. Requirement.

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Jeffrey Dean Morgan: 'Flashpoint' is dead, 'The Flash' will be "more of an origin story"

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