The first big-budget superhero movie to hit theaters was Richard Donner’s Superman: The Movie. After its release in 1978, it took nearly an entire decade for Tim Burton’s Batman to come out. Looking back, it’s a tad surprising the industry didn’t explode with other like-minded comic adaptations. I know that an article like this amounts to nothing but a massive “What-If?” but as a fan, it’s hard not to wonder.
What if Warner Bros. had been more aggressive in approaching their DC Comics adaptations? What if they’d followed it up with other superhero films, like Wonder Woman or The Flash?
What If?
PRODUCTION
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Age (as of 1980): 34
Does this choice really need any explanation? Having just come off of Jaws and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Spielberg was a bit of a rising star in Hollywood. He'd really break out in 1981 with the release of Raiders of the Lost Ark, and would receive his first Oscar nomination the following year with E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial. Spielberg, especially at this point in his career, could have given The Flash the kind of heart and visual flair the character needs.
Written by Robert Zemeckis
Age (as of 1980): 28
An apprentice of Spielberg, Zemeckis worked with him on 1941. Though Spielberg very infrequently works with the same writer on multiple projects, Zemeckis' modern filmography (including Forrest Gump and Back to the Future) was enough to convince me he'd have been perfect for this film. Fun fact: he was also on WB's shortlist to direct 2013's Man of Steel.
Score by John Williams
Age (as of 1980): 48
Yes, he composed the iconic Superman march. He also composed the score for Star Wars, the Indiana Jones films, and countless others. Need I say more?
CAST
Mark Hamill as Barry Allen
"The Flash"
Age (as of 1980): 29
Created in 1956, Barry Allen was the character to usher in the Silver Age of comics. With a host of wacky villains and a nerdy, nice-guy demeanor, Barry was probably the quintessential hero of his era. Mark Hamill is popularly known for his (some would say iconic) role of Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, though geeks like us will recognize him as the voice of The Joker in Batman: The Animated Series. Honestly, I think Hamill would have been perfect for this role back in the day. Aside from looking just like the character, he was already a soft-spoken guy associated with the “pure-hearted hero” role. Okay, so maybe it’s typecasting, but he was a dead ringer for the part.
Lesley-Anne Down as Iris West
Age (as of 1980): 26
Debuting in Showcase #4, Iris West has been Barry Allen’s primary love interest for as long as both characters have existed. As the female lead of the series, she’s classically provided a moral anchor for the hero’s actions. For Lesley-Anne Down -- I’ll admit that the only movie I’ve seen her in is The Great Train Robbery with Sean Connery, and I casted this role almost purely on looks. Because, well, she was gorgeous. She still is. Sure, she’s no Margot Kidder, but then again, Iris is no Lois Lane.
Gregory Peck as Ira West
Age (as of 1980): 64
Ira West was the Silver Age-era father of Iris West, and an ally of Barry Allen’s alter-ego, The Flash. A physicist, he was famous for creating Barry Allen’s goofy shrinking/expanding Flash costume and ring ... with the magic of, um, science! All jokes aside, Gregory Peck was a legendary Hollywood actor who could have given his character the same kind of weight Brando gave Jor-El. Admittedly, the actor wouldn’t have as good a character to work with (Ira West having been all but forgotten in modern stories), but I digress ... having Gregory Peck in the cast could have only been a good thing.
Christopher Walken as Eobard Thawne
"Reverse-Flash"
Age (as of 1980): 37
Professor Zoom, aka Eobard Thawne, is one of The Flash’s primary antagonists. A genetically-engineered madman from the 25th century, Reverse-Flash used his powers to travel back in time and terrorize his lifelong idol, Barry Allen. Why would he do that, you might ask? The shorthand answer is because he’s completely freaking bonkers. Naturally, who would be better to play this character than Christopher Walken? He’s pushing 72 nowadays, but the years have not diminished his wackiness. Kind of the opposite, actually...
Harry Dean Stanton as Leonard Snart
"Captain Cold"
Age (as of 1980): 54
Captain Cold is an interesting villain in that he’s not an out-an-out bad guy, per se. He’s a career criminal with a strict sense of honor, and an intelligence that belies his silly gimmick. Casting Harry Dean Stanton as a villain was tricky since he’s so dang likable, but ultimately I think that quality would give a great deal of dimension to an older, Silver Age version of Len Snart.
Charles Dance as Sam Scudder
"Mirror Master"
Age (as of 1980): 34
Sam Scudder is a petty criminal who adopts the guise of Mirror Master after discovering a way to inhabit reflective surfaces. Captain Cold recognizes his talent and adopts him into the Rogues, a crew of super-villains dedicated to taking down the Flash. Charles Dance has become recognized recently for his role as Tywin Lannister on HBO's Game of Thrones, but back in 1980 he’d have had the perfect look to play one of the “creepier” members of Barry Allen’s Rogues.
Burt Reynolds as Mick Rory
"Heat Wave"
Age (as of 1980): 44
Heat Wave is ... well, basically just a guy with a flamethrower. Mick Rory is a complete pyromaniac whose criminal history makes him a prime candidate the Rogues. Throwing Burt Reynolds into in this part seemed like a great fit to me, maybe because he played a convict in The Longest Yard, maybe because I can imagine him hamming it up real good as a villain ... or maybe because it could have spawned a hundred “Burnt Reynolds” jokes. I don't know.
Robin Williams as James Jesse
"Trickster"
Age (as of 1980): 29
James Jesse is a pseudonym adopted by a circus acrobat with greater criminal ambitions. Often using pranks rather than weapons, he’s considered by some to be a more innocent variation of The Joker. It’s widely known among comic fans that the late comedian Robin Williams would have jumped at the opportunity to play either the Joker or the Riddler, and I say he’d have made a memorable Trickster. Rest in peace, Robin.
That’s all I have for now, people. Comments? Ideas? Leave them below, and thanks for reading.