Flashpoint Paradox (film)
| Flashpoint Paradox | |
|---|---|
| File:Flashpoint Paradox poster.jpg Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Finnian Hawke |
| Written by | Homer Gutierrez |
| Story by | Freddie Goodwin |
| Based on | DC Comics |
| Produced by | |
| Starring | |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures |
Release date | July 15, 2025 |
Running time | 128 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $125 million |
Flashpoint Paradox is a 2025 American superhero film based on DC Comics featuring the characters Barry Allen / The Flash and Jay Garrick. Produced by Mob Productions and Freddie Goodwin, and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, it is the first film in the DC Universe. It was directed by Finnian Hawke and written by Homer Gutierrez from a story from Goodwin. The film stars Grant Gustin as Barry Allen alongside Jessica Parker-Kennedy, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Lauren Cohan, Michael B. Jordan, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, Andy Bean, and Ciarán Hinds. In the film, Barry uses his powers to create a seperate storyline where he has a daughter and is married to Iris West-Allen, but things go wrong for him and force him to return to his original timeline only to find him in a duplicate old timeline.
Plans for the film began in 2017 when the DCU was originally announced and with the plan to release Flashpoint Paradox in 2019/2020. By 2019, the film had been delayed and was later announced to be coming July 2025 in 2020.
Flashpoint Paradox premiered in Westwood, Los Angeles, on July 13, 2025, and was released in the United States on July 15, as the first film in Part One of the DCU. The film recieved mixed reviews with praise for the performances of Gustin and Kennedy, length, action, and visuals, though was critised for its writing. Two sequels are in development, The Flash: Mirror of Madness and The Flash: Speed Force Nexus.
Premise[edit | edit source]
Barry Allen
Cast[edit | edit source]
- Grant Gustin as Barry Allen/The Flash: The central figure of the story, Barry's decision to alter the past sets the entire plot in motion, showcasing his journey through a drastically changed reality.
- Jessica Parker-Kennedy as Nora West-Allen/XS: Nora, with her time-traveling experience and connection to the Speed Force, plays a crucial role in navigating the altered timeline and aiding her father.
- Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Thomas Wayne/Batman: In the Flashpoint universe, it's Thomas Wayne, not Bruce, who becomes Batman after the tragic death of his son, Bruce. Morgan brings a gritty, intense presence to the role of a darker, more vengeful Batman.
- Lauren Cohan as Martha Wayne/The Joker: Following the death of her son, Martha Wayne descends into madness, becoming the Joker. Cohan can portray both the tragedy and the twisted insanity of Martha Wayne.
- Michael B. Jordan as Victor Stone/Cyborg: A key figure in the Flashpoint world, Cyborg is America's top superhero. Jordan's charisma and physicality would bring a compelling depth to the character's struggle and leadership.
- Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman: In the Flashpoint timeline, Wonder Woman is at war with Aquaman, leading to a global conflict. Dawson's strength and grace would embody Wonder Woman's warrior spirit and complex morality.
- Jason Momoa as Aquaman: Retaining his role, Momoa's Aquaman is a more ruthless king, leading his Atlantean forces against the Amazons. His portrayal would emphasize Aquaman's power and sovereignty.
- Andy Bean as Arthur Curry/Aquaman: For a nuanced portrayal that differs from Momoa's, Bean could offer a version of Aquaman that combines vulnerability with kingly resolve, deepening the character's internal conflict in the altered reality.
- Ciarán Hinds as King Orin/Aquaman: Hinds, with his commanding presence, could bring a seasoned depth to Aquaman, highlighting the character's strategic mind and the weight of his decisions on the world stage.
Production[edit | edit source]
Development[edit | edit source]
In December 2015, Goodwin was in talks with DC Studios to create a universe of his own based on DC Comics. On January 31, Goodwin unvieled the first projects from the DCU slate. They revealed some of the projects regarding the first "Part" titled Part One, and stated that the films were all part of a broader timeline with a plan of being split into Parts One, Two, and Three, all to create a complete Trilogy of stories. By June 2016, Goodwin had already planned six Parts to include in the first "Trilogy" of storytelling. On January 31, 2017, Goodwin announced that the production is a "very slow and hard process", and confirmed the films would start releasing in 2020. In June 2017, he announced the first two films of Part One. The first film, Flashpoint Paradox, will be set in the current and ongoing DCEU (but not part of its main timeline) and will "reset" it into what the DCU will be. The second film, Worlds of Wonder, which would be the true beginning of the DCU.
In November 2017, he announced the remaining four films part of Part One being The Atlantis Chronicles, which introduces Aquaman to the DCU and will have Jason Momoa reprise his role. Goodwin confirmed the film would release on June 19, 2026. He also confirmed that Flashpoint Paradox would release on July 15, 2025 and Worlds of Wonder would release on December 10, 2025. The fourth film of Part One was announced to be titled Knightfull, which Goodwin stated the film would introduce the Batman of this universe, and stated the actor won't be someone who had previously portrayed the character in other media. Goodwin announced a Green Lantern project titled Emerald Infinite, which is planned to be released in November 2026. Goodwin confirmed the film would tie directly into Flashpoint Paradox and is the villain of the film is a result from Flashpoint. Lastly, Goodwin announced that Part One would conclude with League of Realities, a film that has all heroes join up and meet and form a superhero team known as the Justice League.
Goodwin began planning a film based on The Flash in 2010 because he had always loved the character and Flash is his personal favorite DC Comics characters. Talks with Warner Bros. and Disney began in 2014, to which he was allowed to make the film. Geoff Johns approached Goodwin and requested the film not be part of the DCEU, unless it has a comedy driven plot. Goodwin didn't want the film to have much comedy in it, so disagreed to work do that. One year after during 2015, Goodwin discussed an idea of making his own series of films, which Johns at first disliked, but was invested upon learning Goodwin's plan to include the DCEU in multiple aspects. However, as development went on, in 2019, Goodwin saw the DCEU films recieving negative reviews every time a movie was released. He planned to make sure the films were improved and recieved much better reviews from critics, though expressed the importance of listening to the community in parts that doesn't change the overall storyline arc within the first three Parts and the first trilogy. He began looking into including aspects of the 2014 series The Flash and the Arrowverse storyline from 2014–2020 with the build up to a "Crisis" and took inspiration from Marvel to do a similar format in how they do their Phase and Sagas. Goodwin planned Trilogies and Parts, with Flashpoint Paradox being the first film in it and is still mostly set in the DCEU and creates a seperate timeline that exists alongside the DCEU for the DCU.
Filming[edit | edit source]
By 2017, Finnian Hawke had been confirmed as the director of the film, with production slated to start in 2019, aiming for a 2020 premiere. The filming occurred across various Canadian locales, reflecting Hawke's strategic approach to budget allocation. He opted to minimize CGI application across numerous scenes, facilitating a more equitable distribution of the film's budget to enhance overall production quality. For the depiction of the Speed Force and time travel sequences, Hawke employed an extensive arrangement of green screens, ensuring these pivotal elements were convincingly portrayed.