After helming comedy "Fred Claus" for Warner Bros., director David Dobkin has decided to make the studio his home, signing a three-year, first-look deal with the company.
Separately, Dobkin also has come aboard to direct "The Flash," the big-screen adaptation of the DC Comics hero. Craig Wright, creator of ABC's "Dirty Sexy Money, has been tapped to write "Flash," which is being produced by Mosaic Media's Charles Roven and Alex Gartner.
Under his deal, Dobkin will direct and produce not just comedies -- the genre in which the helmer found success -- but also hopes to tackle a wide range of projects.
"We're looking to bring comedies to Warner, and I'm also looking to make large-scale scale tentpole movies as well," Dobkin said. He added that the creative freedom Warners gave him while making "Claus" made it natural for him to set up shop there.
Dobkin's first move under the deal is to step up to produce the already in-development comedy "Boss Go Home," written by "Burn Notice" creator Matt Nix.
Dobkin's still-unnamed production company will be based in either Beverly Hills or Hollywood. He is promoting his assistant, Greg Garthe, to creative exec and is looking to fill other key positions.
In comics lore, there have been four incarnations of the Flash, who has remained one of DC's most popular characters. While it is unclear which version of the scarlet speedster will appear in Dobkin's movie, the project is not a spinoff of the upcoming "Justice League of America" movie that George Miller is directing in which the Flash is a major character.
Dobkin said he is a comic book fan and has long waited for a shot at a superhero movie, and the Flash's superpower has a relatability and simplicity he found appealing.
"Because of that simplicity, it is easy to design a theme and a story around what his inner life is in comparison to his superpower," he said.
With "Flash," Dobkin is stepping in the shoes previously filled by Shawn Levy, who left because of scheduling issues (HR 2/5).
Dobkin is known for directing "Wedding Crashers," starring Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson. He also directed "Shanghai Knights," which starred Wilson and Jackie Chan, as well as "Clay Pigeons," which starred Vaughn. His "Fred Claus," which stars Vaughn, opens Nov. 9.
Dobkin is repped by CAA and attorney Warren Dern.
Wright, repped by UTA, also wrote on "Lost" and "Brothers & Sisters."
I'm impressed with this interview and the comments that I placed in bold. Even though I started this thread as a way to vent. I like that he vies this as a character driven film. This is why I like the Flash to begin with. His superpower is simple, therefor it can be focused on the character and the happenings of his life!
