Warners hires writers for 'Green Lantern 2' and 'Flash' (exclusive)

“Green Lantern” is a year away from release, but Warner Bros. already is starting development on a sequel.

The studio has hired Greg Berlanti, Michael Green and Marc Guggenheim, all of whom worked on the “Lantern” screenplay, to write a treatment for the second installment.

The trio has also been tapped to pen the treatment for the silver-screen incarnation of “The Flash.”

Under the deal, they would then go on to write the screenplay for one of the two projects, though which one has not been determined.

“Lantern” is shooting in New Orleans under the direction of Martin Campbell with Ryan Reynolds starring as the emerald ring-wielding DC Comics superhero who is part of an intergalactic police force known as the Green Lantern Corps.

Development on a second installment this far out from a movie’s release date is rare, signaling the studio’s confidence in what it sees so far.

It also appears to be the first moves the studio is making under its newly configured relationship with DC.

In September, DC was reorganized to bring it closer to Warners, with Diane Nelson named president of newly created DC Entertainment. In February, artist Jim Lee and executive editor Dan DiDio were named publishers of DC Comics. Star writer Geoff Johns was appointed chief creative officer of DCE, with the aim of bridging the comics and filmed entertainment sides.

With new Batman and Superman films in the writing stages and “Lantern” filming, the team thought “Flash” was the next logical hero to tackle. 

Development on a feature version of the scarlet speedster has gone through several false starts over the years, but the character is close to Johns’ heart. The writer recently brought back to prominence one version of the character not seen since the mid-1980s and is working on a relaunch of the series.

The “Flash” film will take inspiration from Johns’ recent work and will feature the Barry Allen incarnation of the character. (In comics lore, several names have wielded the Flash mantle, though Allen, created in 1956, remains by far the most popular.)

Berlanti, creator of “Everwood,” recently directed the feature “Life as We Know it,” starring Katherine Heigl, and is an exec producer on ABC’s “Brothers and Sisters.” He co-created “Eli Stone” with Guggenheim, who is exec producing ABC’s upcoming superhero drama “No Ordinary Family.” Berlanti co-created "Family," which stars Michael Chiklis. 

Green worked with Berlanti on “Everwood” and created NBC’s “Kings.”

The trio is repped by WME.

- Borys Kit

Comments

[Davoid]

poor poor dan mazeau

[Flash Facts]

Barry Allen is not the most popular incarnation just look at the fan polls. He is however the suckiest!

[Davoid]

Flash Facts also needs to let it go because Wally isn't the 'main' Flash anymore. Listen I liked Wally too, but you need to let some of that anger go because it won't do you any good.

Remember, Barry's fans got mad when he died in the 80s. Batman fans got mad when he became darker in the 80s. What happen to those fans. Well they moved on and got old.

It's all circular when it comes to fandom.

[Acai Max Cleanse]

What's happening with the new SUPERMAN REBOOT? Warners has to get it into production before the end of 2011 or, according to the court, all the rights reverse to the comic books creators. What do you hear, El Guapo?!

[Davoid]

El Guapo works for latino Review so you're confusing me! Superman reboot is being work on by Nolan.

They don't need to release a film in 2011; They just have to be actively in production by next year. It's being scheduled for a Winter 2012, according to WB last week.

[memory card reader]

About Flash has also let go, because Wally is not the flash main again. I liked to listen to Wally, but you must give some of that anger go, because you do not need anything. Remember, Barrys fans became angry when he died in the 80s. Batman fans became angry when it became darker in the 80s. What happens to the fans. Well, Im really old now.
memory card reader

[ipad]

The film, which focuses on how Jordan first came into contact with the ring and became a member of the Green Lantern Corps,is being positioned as the possible launch pad for a franchise.

[Drew]

Technically, among comic book fans, the Wally West FLASH is *probably* still more popular, but the Barry Allen character is probably more popular/well-known outside that circle, in terms of people who've seen the old SUPER FRIENDS cartoons and/or the early 90s FLASH TV series, plus lapsed fans from the 80s and before. (And, of course, Hal and Barry are the versions currently featured in the comics, so they're the ones that new fans would be introduced to.)

[Bob Kane]

Sorry fanboys, the Flash is a lame character

[Jess]

I want to start reading a Green Lantern book before "The Blackest Night" saga, I don't know which series to go for, The Green Lantern or Green Lantern Corp. Can you please tell me which one and why...Or should I stick with Booster Gold?

[Cory]

So The Flash will feature Silver Age Flash,"Barry Allen" correct? Not Wally West? Are they going with Iris West Allen's husban for sure? For definit? Will they introduce Wally West in the Flash sequels? So Barry Allen is technically confirmned right? Get Chris Pine on board for Barry Allen/The Flash!

[MAMUTT]

I really think both characters are lame enough to deserve a film. Green Lantern...? Really? What is next, Prince Namor...???

[boggling]

Barry Allen is the generic, clean cut hero. There is nothing wrong with the character, but nothing especially different either. This is why the franchise will crash and burn at the first film. Movie audiences have seen him before. Many, many times. This is one instance where Geoff Johns pushing DC back into the Silver Age will cost Warner Bros a lot of money.

I have not spoken to one person who understands why the film isn't a Wally West comedy. The superhero sub-genre is getting formulaic and played out, but a full out Superhero-Comedy is a fresh direction.

[Greg]

I'd rather have a Wally movie myself.

[Cory]

Barry Allen would be easier then Wally West because:

1. Barry's backstory has been created alreay for TV back in 1990 with John Wesley Shipp

2. Warner Bros. usual makes movies on original concenpts not modern day projects

3. Wally West was only 10 years old when getting his superspeed in Barry's police lab.

Geoff Johns is the boss and a f**king amazing writer. He brought back Barry and is CCO (Chief Creative Officer) of Waner Bros.

[Will Tonwheat]

Is Lantern gonna be the Hal Jordan character? Hoping!

[James]

I thought David Goyer took a stab at a FLASH script not too long ago.

[Michael Carter]

Bob Kane. I love Booster Gold, but don't mistake that because you love, or are reading, one character that you cannot read another. If I were to start up reading GL newly right now, I would start with Rebirth and move on from there. Rebirth is Geoff Johns story arc bringing Hal Jordan back in to the DCU. It leads directly into the Sinestro Corp Wars and then Blackest night. You can find trades to get caught up and forgo the hunting of all of the issues, and save yourself a ton of money in the process. ENJOY!

[Keith]

I don't know exactly which fandom loves Wally West, the Diet Vanilla Coke Flash, but any discerning comics reader can tell that not only have all the characters, even the villains, in the Flash comic, been missing Barry Allen, but also the entire setting of Central City has been lamenting the loss of Barry Allen since Crisis on Infinite Earths, and Wally West was just going through the motions and pretending. Sure, Wally West is the Everyman, the generic slacker, a Peter Parker on drugs if you will. The people who love Wally West are probably a lot like him--he sets the bar very low. Who else could love a character like that? Barry Allen is the soul of the Flash; his selflessness, his sacrifices, and the quality of his relationships bring us to identify with him regardless of our own nature. Who wouldn't want to be like Barry Allen? But who could be?