As Marvel loses momentum post-Endgame, DC is looking to finally surpass their counterpart and be the top dog in this game, and they plan to do so with the new Flash movie that will finally hit theatres soon. The story has most likely taken inspiration from the popular storyline “Flashpoint” and its animated film version, “Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox”, where Flash goes back in time to save his mother and inadvertently jumbles up the timeline.
The film, much like in comics and animated movies, is setting itself up to reset the current DCEU for a newer one. From all the promotional material and trailers seen so far, DC and Warner have been all in on this venture to make amends for their many screw-ups. There were screw-ups aplenty, especially by the actor playing the main protagonist in the film, Ezra Miller.
Many people are aware of his list of “incidents” that made everyone virtually hate him. Which is why it’s a bold move, to say the least, that he’d be the star of his own movie. Despite this knowledge, the Flash movie has generated a lot of hype, and its stellar reviews have made moviegoers excited for its release, especially because of Michael Keaton as Batman.
One of the key strategies that kept the film from being bombarded with hate on all social media platforms was the preclusion of Miller from any of the tours or press releases promoting the new film, as DC understands that the actor is a bit of a loose cannon. And that strategy had been working… until the production designer let the cat out of the bag in the worst way possible.
It has been a strict rule that Miller’s crime should not be mentioned at all until, hopefully, the film has been fully released. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. And the production designer has doubled down by saying that people will forget Miller’s crimes after watching the film. This, obviously, did not sit well with the people, and it reignited the hatred for Miller once more. If the situation around Miller continues to decline, it might spell the end for the scarlet speedster on the big screen. Or does it?
There is another who can carry on the mantle of Barry Allen, which would be Ezra Miller’s TV counterpart, Grant Gustin. Gustin has been the fastest man alive since 2014, thanks to the CW series that has concluded after nine seasons. Since then, Gustin has said in an interview that his name will forever be associated with the Flash and that he will listen to any pitches related to the iconic superhero. The question is: would he take up Miller’s spot if things go south for the controversial actor?
The Flash star Grant Gustin says he is open to return as Barry Allen in future projects.
"I'll probably be associated with this character more than anything else in my career, for the rest of my life. So I'll always listen to any Flash pitch." https://t.co/n6IfMTP08N pic.twitter.com/JVh6XpCkI8
— CBR (@CBR) May 6, 2023
Rumours have gone far and wide, even reaching Gustin himself, but no one has gone on record about anything yet. For now, Miller has kept a pretty low profile leading up to the release of the new film, and it’s most likely going to stay that way until the heat has died down. It’s quite ironic, to say the least, that as one Flash story ends, another begins – something that can also apply to their respective actors, but not in the way you’d think.
