With “The Flash” currently in theaters, director Andy Muschietti and producer/sister Barbara Muschietti are the talks of the town. So much so, Muschietti has been confirmed to direct the upcoming “Batman: Brave And The Bold” live-action. The duo also signed a multi-year first-look deal with Warner Bros. Pictures and Warner Bros. Television Group/Max under their Double Dream banner. Which is fitting, since they are already developing the “It” prequel series “Welcome to Derry” for HBO.
There have been rumors about Muschietti directing the “Batman: Brave And The Bold” project. With the ongoing WGA strike, no one though any moves would be made until things were resolved. But the news was confirmed by DC Studios co-bosses James Gunn and Peter Safran. With “The Flash” predicted to open at $75 million stateside and $155+ million worldwide, they wanted to strike while the iron was hot. [Editor’s note: the film is currently looking at a $58 million opening, which is lower than “Black Adam,” just as a frame of reference.]
“We saw The Flash even before taking the reins at DC Studios, and knew we were in the hands of only a visionary director, but a massive DC fan,” Gunn and Safran said in a statement. “It’s a magnificent film — funny, emotional, thrilling — and Andy’s affinity and passion for these characters and this world just resonates through every frame. Luckily, Andy said ‘yes’, Barbara signed on to produce with us and were on our way.”
Gunn and Safran gave their vision for “Batman: Brave And The Bold” back in January during DC Day. The new film will focus on Batman and his son Damien Wayne (as Robin) “who is a little son of a bitch.” “Assassin, murderer who Batman takes on, who is Batman’s actual son that he doesn’t know exists for the first 8-10 years of his life….it’s a strange father-and-son story about the two of them and based on Grant Morrison’s run of the Batman,” Gunn said.
The Muschiettis’ deal with Warner Bros. is just as exciting! The first-look deal will run for three years, under which they will develop and produce tentpoles with the potential to direct. The pair will continue to develop new television series for multiple platforms, including Max and external outlets.
News of this deal was confirmed by Co-Chairs/CEOs of Warner Bros Motion Picture Group Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy, along with Chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Television Group Channing Dungey. The Muschiettis had previously signed a first-look deal with Warner Bros. Television Group in 2021. But it seems that this will expand upon that and probably give them more sandboxes to work with.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to strengthen our longstanding partnership with these unceasingly driven, incredibly gifted filmmakers,” De Luca and Abdy said. “Between Andy’s singular skill and vision as a director and Barbara’s sharp, far-sighted instincts as a producer, they’re a true filmmaking dream team, and channel their lifelong passion into films that deliver as both compelling human stories and heart-pounding crowd pleasers. It’s one of the reasons their movies connect so broadly and powerfully with audiences all over the world, and dovetails perfectly with the kinds of films we want to make.”
“Andy and Barbara are singular artists whose vision and passion for Welcome to Derry has blown us away,” Dungey said. “We cannot wait for fans to see this next captivating — and horrifying! — chapter of the IT universe when it comes to Max. We are excited to continue our partnership, and we look forward to telling many more stories with them in the future.”
“Warner Bros. has been an incredible partner to us for years now, but more than that, Warners has been part of our whole lives,” the Muschiettis said. “We were watching movies before we could walk, and we spent our formative years as kids at the drive-in, and now we are joining the Warner Bros. family. It feels like a full-circle moment. Knowing Pam and Mike as long as we have really makes it feel like home. And we couldn’t be more excited to continue working with Channing and Brett Paul on the television side.”
We’ll let you know what we hear about this and other news. “The Flash” is currently in theaters now.
