This is a lovely excerpt from a new Belanti profile by The Hollywood Reporter...
I think it's heartwarming how he stands by Grant and obviously adores the character.
The DC Cinematic Universe has been criticized for its excessive darkness. You have The Flash, which has often been very bright; Legends of Tomorrow, which is often downright goofy; and Arrow, which is dark but still has a fair amount of humor. How important is "fun" to your vision of what a comic book adaptation should be?
If you're going to do something like The Flash, part of what made Barry Allen so great was that he was this guy in the middle of all these superheroes who couldn't believe that he was there, and he loved it. It was the first comic book character who made me cry. He died in Crisis on Infinite Earths saving everybody, and he was the last one anyone expected to save everyone, so inherent in this character was this heartbroken sadness and sacrifice, but at the same time this joy. That duality is something I've really latched on to in a lot of what I've done. This is the only Flash I'd know how to do.
The Flash film recently lost its director. Is helming that movie of interest to you?
No one's discussed that with me, but I could never direct a Flash movie that Grant Gustin wasn't the lead of. He's my Flash.
What sort of advice would you give to whoever does direct the film?
We have three words above the door [of the Flash writers room]: "Heart, humor and spectacle."
If you're going to do something like The Flash, part of what made Barry Allen so great was that he was this guy in the middle of all these superheroes who couldn't believe that he was there, and he loved it. It was the first comic book character who made me cry. He died in Crisis on Infinite Earths saving everybody, and he was the last one anyone expected to save everyone, so inherent in this character was this heartbroken sadness and sacrifice, but at the same time this joy. That duality is something I've really latched on to in a lot of what I've done. This is the only Flash I'd know how to do.
The Flash film recently lost its director. Is helming that movie of interest to you?
No one's discussed that with me, but I could never direct a Flash movie that Grant Gustin wasn't the lead of. He's my Flash.
What sort of advice would you give to whoever does direct the film?
We have three words above the door [of the Flash writers room]: "Heart, humor and spectacle."
I think it's heartwarming how he stands by Grant and obviously adores the character.
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