As the DC Extended Universe plows through back to back controversies after the Ezra Miller mishap, the internet has doubled down on pressuring WB Studios to replace him. Amongst the top fan picks are Grant Gustin, who has already played the role in the Arrowverse show of the same name. While at first glance, it feels like a brilliant idea to replace Ezra Miller with Grant Gustin as the Flash, a deeper introspection by Zack Snyder would reveal why having Grant Gustin play Barry Allen would be a deal-breaker. Fans of The CW show are clamoring for the actor to take over after Ezra Miller’s recent run in with the authorities. Zack Snyder on the other hand, believes it won’t be the right decision.
To those CW fans, we have to say – hold your horses. Grant Gustin as DCEU’s New Flash may sound pretty cool at the moment. But here’s why it will not work at all, according to Zack Snyder in his interview by Ethan Sacks for New York Daily News.
Zack Snyder Says Grant Gustin’s Light-Hearted Flash Has A Wildly Different Tone
The Godfather of the DC Extended Universe, Zack Snyder is how ezra Miller made his debut as the Flash in the movies. It was Snyder’s vision Miller’s Barry Allen was carrying on his shoulders. Zack Snyder’s Justice League had Ezra Miller play a vital role as the Scarlet Speedster. But he believes that Grant Gustin’s Flash would never manage to do what Miller’s Flash is capable of. And his reasoning is simple.
According to Zack Snyder, The CW’s Flash has a milder, funnier tone compared to the DCEU Flash. As the movies are building up and more and more DCEU movies featuring the Flash come forward, the stories will get darker and grittier because that’s signature DC.
Having an actor give a grittier take on the same character when he’s known for playing a more light-hearted version of the same will not attract too many viewers, according to Zack Snyder. Grant Gustin’s Flash does not fit in a world like DCEU with such a bleak and grim anatomy.
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The Flash TV Show & The Flash Movie Happen In Alternate Universes
The very premise of using Flashpoint as the crux of the Flash movie is so that different versions of the same characters could be seen in a single frame. This not only adds weight to the plot but also serves as great fan service. Half the reason we are all flocking to the theaters is to watch Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck both play different versions of the same character – Batman.
Having an actor who already plays the titular hero in a different universe (one that does not even openly acknowledge the DCEU exists in any form), does look like a red flag. Alternate universes help define the DSC Multiverse concept. Instead of Grant Gustin playing Ezra Miller’s Flash, Grant Gustin should just play the Arrowverse Flash and have a crossover with the DCEU’s Flash. from a storyline and long term point of view, it makes more sense to go this route.
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Grant Gustin’s Flash would seem like the easy way out but it will hurt Warner Brothers in the long run.
Ezra Miller’s Relentless Controversies Mean He Must be Replaced, But Not With Grant Gustin
The media is having a field day, covering all the news around Ezra Miller. Now whether he actually tried to groom and manipulate a 12 year old and indoctrinate into a cult is for the courts to decide. The public opinion is Ezra Miller needs to be let go, and Warner Brothers has kicked actors out for far less (*Cough Cough* Johnny Depp *Cough Cough*). With the recent public crucifixion and ostracization of Amber Heard after she lost the Johnny Depp trial, it is quite evident that the DCEU casting choices need to become a LOT better in a very short time.
Also Read: 5 Actors Who Could Replace Ezra Miller as the Flash
Grant Gustin is definitely a great Flash and he has entertained us for almost a decade in the Arrowverse. But he only shines because he is written well and fits into the character properly. He has already faced his own version of Flashpoint, a done and dusted tale. Having the guy play the Flash after 8 years of wearing the same suit on the smaller screens would be a lot weird to process for many fans. Plus Zack Snyder is right. The reasoning of DC fans for trying to arm-twist the DCEU into kicking out Ezra Miller and bringing in Grant Gustin as new Flash is baseless when you think about it.
As of now, Warner Brothers is reportedly in talks to kick Ezra Miller out of all future projects after The Flash movie. But until that happens, the studio must actively look for Flash replacements and Grant Gustin shouldn’t be the one they seek.
