Our Work on The Flash

As Barry Allen discovers a way to unwind time in order to save his parents, he also manages to cause chronological mayhem across the world and the rest of the Universe... all the way to Krypton.

For this twisty epic, Wētā FX created a scale model of Southern California from satellite imagery, from the Malibu coastline far into the desert. The model gets increasingly detailed as we approach Edwards Air Force Base, the arena for the third act battle between the forces of humanity aided by Supergirl, Batman and The Flash in one corner, and General Zod and Faora of Krypton in the other.

The ensuing battle features a kaleidoscope of FX. From fire, smoke and explosions to new-found powers manifesting as Tesla sparks from the fingers of The Flash. In spectacular fashion, a Kryptonic beam turns sand into liquid glass, trapping all in its way as it cools.

The existence of two incarnations of The Flash necessitated meticulous body double and face replacement work, turning Ezra Miller into two differently attired characters, constantly interacting with each-other and the rest of the cast. And at lightning speed, of course.

This wasn’t the first time the team created Zod and Faora for the DC universe, having worked with them on Man of Steel. In most cases all that remains from the plate photography are their faces and even these have been covered with CG shields for each frame. Like previous incarnations, their armour is also fully CG.

One of the shots Wētā worked on is a 2,700-frame continuous shot where Supergirl breaks free from her temporary incarceration at the base and unleashes her super-frustrations on a collection of hapless plate and CG military personnel, sending them flying as The Flash and Batman cautiously take a back-seat.