Ryan Reynolds was once approached for the role of another notable DC superhero before he began his journey as Green Lantern. Warner Bros. gave David S. Goyer the choice of a Flash or Green Lantern film adaptation after being pleased by his script for Batman Begins (2005). In 2004, it was announced that Goyer would be moving forward with the writing, producing, and directing for The Flash.
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The screenwriter’s vision for the film entailed a different premise than the ones we are presently acquainted with. While the standard Flash for live-action iterations is Barry Allen, Goyer based his plot around Wally West. The role was extended to Ryan Reynolds. While creative differences led the filmmaker/screenwriter to drop out of the project, the script for the premise has particularly astonished many. Have a look.
Ryan Reynolds’ Wally West Would Have Been A Redhead Bundle Of Attitude
Goyer’s fascination for The Flash led him to move forward with the possibility of the project. He believed the character had great big-screen potential that had yet to be realized. Choosing to deviate from Barry Allen, David S. Goyer’s screenplay focuses primarily on Wally West. In the screenplay, we are greeted with an introductory scene of Wally shedding light on Barry’s significance as The Flash—how the latter was regarded as an urban legend. It then cuts to twelve years back.
A teenage Wally West, residing in Keystone City with his uncle and aunt, Barry Allen and Iris West, is presented as a “redhead bundle of attitude, aiming a slingshot at a model home.” Amidst his shenanigans, he’s caught by Chyre, a “no-nonsense cop.”
The story then focuses on a heart-to-heart conversation between Wally and Barry. The moment is shortly interrupted as Barry gets news of “SWAT’s launching a raid” at Victor Vesp’s place. He rushes to the location and is greeted by his best friend, a cop named Hunter Zolomon. He is briefed about the happenings and soon transforms into The Flash and zooms around the chateau.
Barry, as The Flash, is later confronted by Vesp who has discerned his real identity and plans on taking away his speed powers. Meanwhile, Wally, who had been taken hostage, is left to witness not only his uncle’s secret but also his subsequent demise when Vesp’s Infinity Transducer device explodes. Everything goes white and then we skip to meet an adult Wally.
A Few Years Later…
A 20-something Wally West appears aimless in life, “never taking anything too seriously.” We are greeted with a scene where he gets into a kerfuffle with his ex-girlfriend’s (who had just dumped him) new boyfriend. He is detained in jail and subsequently bailed out by a now wheelchair-bound Hunter. In a conversation that Wally shares with Iris, the themes of not wanting to let down Barry are emphasized.
The next sequences depict Wally traveling to Vesp’s estate, which has become a memorial to Barry, hearing his uncle’s voice amid a thunderstorm, and getting hit by a lightning bolt. Wally awakens in a hospital, surrounded by a peculiar blue shimmer. Time seemed to be functioning in a strange way as well. The episode, however, ended as quickly as it began.
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We cut to Iron Heights prison yard, with Victor Vesp, now known as The Turtle by his fellow inmates, reading about Wally’s lightning mishap in the papers. The alterations he experienced after the explosion were more than just cosmetic. It also caused his metabolism to slow down abnormally (hence, the nickname). The adversary is shown ordering his henchman Edmund Sloe to follow and report on Wally.
On the other conjunction, Wally confides in Hunter, explaining the changes he has been experiencing since the lightning bolt struck him. Hunter comes up with the following theory: Barry gave Wally the Speed Force before he died and the second bolt of lightning released it free.
Later, we see a high-profile scientist of S.T.A.R. Labs, Dr. Jerry McGee, summoned for Wally’s assistance. Here, we also see the introduction of Jerry’s ex-wife Dr. Tina McGee, whom Wally becomes enamored with.
A New Superhero In Town?
A test is conducted. Wally’s powers end up causing a scene. An expensive one at that. The incident left the protagonist accountable for $60 million in property damage. After two days, Wally wakes up to later be swarmed by news reporters inquiring about his identity as the new Flash. An overwhelmed Wally realizes why his uncle retained his anonymity. Hunter persuades Wally to recognize that his uncle not only passed him his gifts but also the intent that comes with the Flash moniker.
Unsure of how to carry forward Barry’s legacy, a reluctant Wally hesitantly puts on his uncle’s old lightning ring. The subsequent scenes show Wally becoming a celebrity superhero, leveraging his fame for benefits, much to Hunter’s dismay. After a frantic Hunter calls from his plane, which has a stuck landing gear, Wally is obliged to take himself seriously and fulfill his duty as a hero.
Everyone got safely evacuated, but Wally was perplexed by the girl seated next to Hunter, carrying a turtle-stuffed toy.
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The Twist…
Vesp/The Turtle is broken out of the prison by Zoom, a speedster who resembles The Flash. A lot happens following this. Suspicions are raised about possible candidates who could be posing as Zoom. This is where the twist in the tale comes in. It turns out that Wally’s mentor, Hunter Zolomon, is Zoom. His justification? He couldn’t bear someone as reckless, careless, and unwilling to commit as Wally being bestowed Barry’s powers.
Vesp’s attempts at getting back at Wally and exacting his revenge lead to the protagonist going “nova, erupting in a cornea-searing blast of light.” It is discovered that Wally has been transported twelve years into the past. He realizes he is within the Speed Force, where Barry has been confined for years, and that the latter is not exactly dead. On the other side, Zoom ends up killing Vesp.
With their combined efforts, only Wally can get out of the Speed Force. However, this is not before Wally promises that he will devise a way of freeing Barry soon. The protagonist reaches the present day. Once again, a lot happens. In the end, Wally and Zoom engage in their final fight, with the former emerging victorious with Tina’s assistance.
The story concludes with Wally and Tina sharing sharing a final kiss, before getting interrupted by a radio chatter. A new crisis calls for the Flash’s attention. And the fastest man alive rushes to people’s rescue.
It cuts to black and that’s how the movie would’ve ended if it were brought to fruition. Alas, that couldn’t happen due to creative differences.
What do you think about David S. Goyer’s take on The Flash? Would it have made for an entertaining film premise?
Source: CBR
