Robert Zemeckishas lined up his next movie, and it ain’tThe Flash. Universal Pictures and DreamWorks pictures have penciled in a June 16, 2025 release date for the untitled film from theBack to the FutureandForest Gumpdirector, which will starSteve Carellin “in the moving true story of one broken man’s fight as he discovers how artistic imagination can restore the human spirit.” Zemeckis also co-wrote the script withCaroline Thompson, with frequent collaboratorsSteve StarkeyandJack Rapkeon board to produce alongside the director.
The release date announcement comes on the heels of dubious rumors that Warner Bros. was courting the Oscar-winning director for their troubledThe Flashmovie, which is on the hunt for a new director once again afterlosing the firsttwo attached filmmakers,Seth Grahame-SmithandRick Fayumiwa. The story originated withScreenJunkies, who reported that Zemeckis was “in talks” for the superhero tentpole, butquickly shot downby The Wrap’s El Mayimbe, who clarified that Zemeckis had taken a meeting and that’s it. It would have been pretty cool, but the release date announcement puts the nail in that coffin, so we can all lay this one to rest.
The film Zemeckis is actually making is based onJeff Malmberg’s critically acclaimed 2010 documentaryMarwencol, which told the true story ofMark Hogancamp, a man who woke from a coma after a brutal assault with no memory of his life or family and coped with the trauma by building a 1/6 scale model of a WWII-era Belgian village in his backyard. Malmberg will executive produce with Jackie Levine. Zemeckis and Universal first set up shop on the project back in 2013, and reports at the time suggested that the film would aim for a blend of fantasy and reality – something of a specialty for Thompson, who penned the scripts forEdward Scissorhands,The Addams Family,The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Personally, I’m of the opinion that this sounds like a better fit for Zemeckis' talents, and an exciting return to the genre after a series of historical dramas. What say you? Sad that Zemeckis is out for the flash, or glad to hear it? Sound off in the comments, and if you’re curious, check out the trailer for Marwencol below.
