'The Flash' courting Robert Zemeckis and Matthew Vaughn to direct; Sam Raimi and Marc Webb turn down the job

Images from Sony

By Darian Scalamoni

            The long-stretched search for the director for the DCEU film, The Flash continues as some serious talent have arose as the new top candidates for the job. While multiple outlets have Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future, The Polar Express) and Matthew Vaughn (Kingsman: The Secret Service, X-Men: First Class) as the frontrunners; EW also reports that Sam Raimi and Marc Webb have turned down the job.

            Zemeckis was originally rumored just a month ago following the departure of Rick Famuyiwa (Dope) from the project but Matthew Vaughn is new to the project. Vaughn has been attached to almost any comic book property when they’re in need of a director after his past successes in that genre. What’s most fascinating is learning of the studio going after Raimi and Webb, who both directed their fair share of comic book pics with Raimi directing the original Spider-Man films and Webb taking over with the Andrew Garfield-led, Amazing Spider-Man franchise as well. While Raimi has dabbled in producing small and big projects recently, he hasn’t actually directed a feature film since Oz the Great and Powerful. Webb, on the other hand is headed back to his smaller film roots with his most recent release Gifted, as well as his upcoming movie, The Only Living Boy in New York.

            Zemeckis just recently announced his latest feature that will star Steve Carell, it seems Warner Bros. is willing to wait for him to complete that film before moving forward with The Flash so expect some more delays. That’s not too much of a surprise either with the film’s star, Ezra Miller also having a busy schedule of his own as he’s expected to shoot Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them 2, this Fall. Vaughn also has an upcoming film as well, Kingsman: The Golden Circle and he wants to shoot the impending close to the trilogy so it’s unlikely he signs on to the DC Comics speedster’s flick but we’ll be sure to keep you updated!