THE FLASH Director David Nutter On Comics Inspiration And Casting Grant Gustin

THE FLASH Director David Nutter On Comics Inspiration And Casting Grant Gustin

David Nutter, director of The Flash pilot, spoke recently to CBR about the shows first episode, his love for the comic book genre and his lengthy career directing many pilots.

By ScottishSummers - May 31, 2014 12:05 PM EST
Filed Under: The Flash
Source: CBR

David Nutter is the indisputable king of pilot television directing with over 17 of his shows picked up to series. Nutter has directed the pilots to some of the most successful television shows including Smallville and Supernatural  as well as iconic TV moments including Game Of Throne's 'red wedding' episode.

Nutter has already directed the pilot to the Grant Gustin lead 'The Flash' which debuts on The CW later in the year. Since Nutter directs the early episodes of a TV show, he has a say in casting the main cast which has included Arrow star Stephen Amell and The Flash's Grant Gustin. In what Nutter looks for in a lead, he said: 'What I think we look for is the charisma factor. When someone walks in the door, something has to hit you, even before they say a line or word'.

With pilots for Smallville, Arrow and The Flash under his belt, Nutter revealed he 'enjoys the hero genre more than anything else',  adding:  'I enjoy origin stories. I enjoy doing stories about people who learn what they are capable of. I enjoy telling stories where people have to do what they do and it's not really a choice, it's basically something they are drawn to. It's not a life choice, but something they are compelled to do, and something that can sometimes be life and death. I love those life choices and I love the stakes that it involves'.

But with directing superhero shows, there is always the problem the show could become to unrealistic or not believable . Nutter says he wants to make the 'shows relatable and understandable and not make it cartoonish.'  

Having wrapped on the pilot, Nutter describes Grant Gustins performance as 'truly magical' adding, 'he was quite fantastic and had amazing chops and composure. He had such wonderful depth and power and richness. I think the audience will love him.'

The director compares the shows tone to Arrow although, 'there's humor in this pilot, which fits very well. It's a little bit brighter of a show. It really encapsulates who Barry Allen is as a character, and who the Flash is in the comics.'

When asked about what inspiration the show will be taking from the comics, Nutter states he turned to the writing team of 'Geoff Johns, who had written so much of the Flash lore over the recent years, was one of the screenplay writers. We utilized his knowledge and expertise in this world. Greg and Andrew are quite aficionados as well, Andrew being a comic book writer himself. We all relied on each other to give our best work. It was a real fantastic community effort that worked out beautifully.'
 

Finally, when quizzed on the shows long term success, Nutter was confident the show could match Smallvilles run:  'Arrow is proving to have the same legs. It's the most popular show on the network. It's in the third season, and it's only growing stronger and better. I definitely think it can. Hopefully "Flash" lasts at least half as long [as the others], because then we'd be in great shape.  

Are you happy with the comments Nutter has made about The Flash, sound off below!
 

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LEEE777
LEEE777 - 5/31/2014, 12:16 PM
Cool, looking forward to this, wish the outfit was more real Flash than a lil like the New 52 suit, plus the CBS costume looks so much better and better fitting in real life.

Flash CBS ABC COMIC book jla
free uploader



Now more like Arrow and less like Smallville and we'll have a winner!
SuperCat
SuperCat - 5/31/2014, 12:30 PM
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 5/31/2014, 12:33 PM
SuperCat - who would win in a race?

Flash or Quicksilver? :P

Awesome gif ;)
Klone
Klone - 5/31/2014, 12:41 PM
Sure, off course the audiences will love Grant. I mean who doesn't love Peter Parker?
SuperCat
SuperCat - 5/31/2014, 12:42 PM
LOL!! @ LEEE777

You're trying to get my ass kicked on this site :) Gotta go with the Flash!
bigdannymac
bigdannymac - 5/31/2014, 12:56 PM
I would bet a sizable amount of money that the costume will change between now and Season 2

I don't really have any problems with it personally, but I could see it evolve rather quickly. In the show Barry is a big fan boy.. so I'd imagine any one of us gaining these powers.. as fan boys, we'd probably go through a few suits before we landed on the one that will stay.

Also, keep in mind Barry didn't design this suit. The lab gave it to him. So I would think (since he made a mask for Arrow) that he will make his own suit eventually.
YeezusWept
YeezusWept - 5/31/2014, 1:18 PM
The director compares the shows tone to Arrow although, 'there's humor in this pilot, which fits very well. It's a little bit brighter of a show. It really encapsulates who Barry Allen is as a character, and who the Flash is in the comics.'


Uh-oh.
YeezusWept
YeezusWept - 5/31/2014, 1:21 PM
@LEEE77
@SuperCat

We all know the true winner here

LEEE777
LEEE777 - 5/31/2014, 1:30 PM
SuperCat @ Heh heh :pP


StarYeezus @ Runner right? : D


dio @ Damn straight lol.


bigdannymac @ Good points and lets hope so.
wookiefit
wookiefit - 5/31/2014, 1:35 PM
Nice article.

and the wookie would win over Flash or Quick Silver



SuperCat
SuperCat - 5/31/2014, 1:49 PM
Steven Seagal is the fastest man alive.

TonyChu
TonyChu - 5/31/2014, 1:55 PM
@SuperCat That Steven Segal run though.
wookiefit
wookiefit - 5/31/2014, 2:02 PM
@ SuperCat

lmao!
wookiefit
wookiefit - 5/31/2014, 2:03 PM
Don't know why but I keep hearing the Benny Hill song in my head while watching Segal run
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 5/31/2014, 2:24 PM
FLASHBACCA would! ;p


SuperCat/Wookie @ Haha!


batmanvsuperman
batmanvsuperman - 5/31/2014, 2:31 PM
Yes cant wait
BlackIceJoe
BlackIceJoe - 5/31/2014, 4:38 PM
I hope this will be a good show. I personally liked Flash's history more so from before Flash Rebirth. I also hope they look at stories from other then just Geoff Johns. He has made some good Flash related material but I would enjoy some from what Mark Waid did too. I also wouldn't have a problem if for the Flash show they look for inspiration from Cary Bates and what he did with the Flash.
McGee
McGee - 5/31/2014, 5:33 PM
YeezusWept
YeezusWept - 5/31/2014, 6:02 PM
@McGee

McGee
McGee - 5/31/2014, 6:15 PM
When you ask about Flash racing Quicksilver....which Flash are we talking about here?

McGee
McGee - 5/31/2014, 6:16 PM
@StarYeezus

Yup. That was a thing.

....so was this:

McGee
McGee - 5/31/2014, 6:20 PM
I have no idea if David Nutter (great last name!) directed any of those pilots.
MightyZeus
MightyZeus - 5/31/2014, 10:10 PM
So will this show be connected to the DCCU?
loki668
loki668 - 6/1/2014, 12:06 AM
@IvanMorrison09

You spammy, little shit. You're mother called. Said she needs to be milked or her udders are going to start leaking again.
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