DC’s Flash Movie Reboot Trick Isn’t Going To Work Now

With reports that James Gunn and Peter Safran are going to fully reboot the DCU, the previous Flashpoint plan won’t work for the new future of DC.

DC is moving into a bold new future, but that means that The Flash reboot trick isn’t going to work now. While no cancelations are yet to be officially confirmed, it is clear that James Gunn and Peter Safran have been brought in to get the DCU straight. Only time will tell if this entails a full reboot or not.

The Flash adapting the acclaimed Flashpoint story from DC Comics could have worked to reset certain undesired parts of the DCU, but it now seems that moving in that direction would cause the franchise even more problems and confusion instead of cleaning things up. The Flash doesn’t work as a reboot anymore, though it’s unclear what a better option would be to set a more positive course for the DCU. With new leadership in power, several movies potentially on the chopping block, and multiple DCU projects releasing in 2023, the time has passed for The Flash to fix the franchise.

Related: James Gunn Just Dropped A Major Clue To His DCU Plans

The Flash Can’t Reset The DCU

The Flash movie offered an opportunity for DC to rework some things in its shared universe without rebooting completely. This may have worked previously, but if the reports are true that Gunn and Safran are planning for a complete overhaul, it no longer makes sense. A Flashpoint-style reboot would still have familiar elements from the previous era, but that may no longer be the franchise plan. Other complications, like Jason Momoa potentially playing Lobo, further make a Flash reboot with lingering DCU elements unlikely.

Furthermore, 2023 could prove to be an odd year for the DCU as there are two other movies set for release after The Flash. If the full reboot reports are true, then Blue Beetle and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom would be awkwardly timed entries in a dead shared universe. A reboot followed by two films from the previous continuity could be a rocky start for the new DCU, which is not what DC wants. The Flash is not the answer for a smooth transition into the next phase for DC.

Why A Flashpoint Reboot Was Already A Bad Idea

Not only is The Flash‘s reboot trick not going to work now, but it was never a great idea. Narrative aside, the film is surrounded by controversy due to its star Ezra Miller. It is highly unlikely that Miller will continue in the role of Barry Allen in the possibly-soon-dead Snyderverse beyond The Flash. Centering the reboot and new direction for the franchise around a star mired by serious controversy would present unnecessary problems and negative PR.

Starting a new era with The Flash, a film that has baggage before it’s even released, is not the fresh start the DCU needs. Regardless of what form the DCU’s future plans take, Gunn and Safran will want a clean, positive start for their version of the DC Universe. To accomplish that, it’s clear that using The Flash movie to reset is not an ideal option.

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