Grant Gustin may be 'too nice' for Zack Snyder's Flash as calls grow to replace Ezra Miller
As the DC Extended Universe faces back-to-back problems following the Ezra Miller gaffe, the internet has increased pressure on WB Studios to oust him. But there's a reason why it won't happen.
One of the most anticipated DC films has been 'The Flash,' starring Ezra Miller. Especially since the picture, which ended filming in 2021, was delayed until June 2023 due to worldwide constraints. Given DC Films' track record of delivering financial blockbusters, the early indication that 'The Flash' may be a crowd-pleasing blockbuster is not just a relief, but a must for success at the box office. However, as a result of Miller's recent activities, some fans are no longer as enthusiastic.
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'A Flash who's not wanted by cops': Fans want WB to replace Ezra Miller with Grant Gustin
Initially, the non-binary actor appeared to be a wonderful fit for the part. Miller's performance as the youthful superhero in Zack Snyder's 'Justice League' won over fans right away. Not only that but having a non-binary and queer actor play a key superhero seemed like a huge step forward for DC's superhero universe. Nevertheless, Miller appears to have lost all of his goodwill in recent months. According to Variety, Miller has been arrested several times for various offenses such as traffic infractions, harassment, and disorderly behavior. These developments have fueled conjecture regarding Miller's future on 'The Flash.'
DC – and its parent company Warner Bros – are now producing some of the biggest and most costly films, so having such a contentious actor at the focus of one of their films may be a major issue. Some speculate whether Miller will be replaced, as other contentious performers have been in recent years. While any star might be considered for recasting, Grant Gustin is the most apparent choice. Grant Gustin taking over for Miller as the Flash may seem like a great idea at first but Zack Snyder has to look deeper to understand why casting Gustin as Barry Allen would be worrisome. After Miller's most recent run-in with the law, admirers of the CW series are demanding for the star take over. On the other side, Zack Snyder thinks it won't be the best course of action.
He told the New York Daily News, "I just don't think it was a good fit. I’m very strict with this universe, and I just don’t see a version where... that (tone is) not our world." These DC Comics giants live in a world that Snyder has constructed for them that is grim and somber, sometimes to an outrageous degree. The CW's 'The Flash' airs more humor regularly. As shown in the original Flash comics, it manages to hit the ideal blend of whimsy and anguish. The universe, though, is a much more important reason for this tale of two Flashes, according to Snyder, regardless of tone.
Even though Snyder and Warner Bros have previously hinted at this, it appears that the DC Comics universe is now fully utilizing and committing to its multiverse. "Even if Grant Gustin is my favorite guy in the world and he’s very good, we made a commitment to the multiverse (idea). So it’s just not a thing that’s possible," Snyder continued. With the multiverse at work, Barry Allen played by Gustin could be hanging out on Earth-1, battling the metahumans of the week, and Barry Allen played by Miller could be hanging out in a completely different dimension, joining the Justice League alongside Cyborg, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Batman, and Superman.
Will Ezra Miller's role in the DC projects be replaced?
Variety reports that because production has concluded and Miller's Barry Allen appears in nearly every scene, replacing them would be both time-consuming and pricey. The picture is apparently already too expensive, and replacing Miller may result in the production failing to recoup its costs. Gustin may be too preoccupied with the CW program to fill Miller's shoes. Furthermore, despite Miller's troubles, the picture has been received quite well in test screenings, suggesting that Miller's casting will not have a big influence on the film's critical reaction.
In the 'Arrowverse,' Grant Gustin has delighted fans for over ten years as the Flash. But he has already had his Flashpoint, a resolved story. For many fans, it would be very strange to see him portray the Flash on smaller screens after 8 years of donning the same suit.
