Anyone who has been following The Flash likely knows about the trouble surrounding lead star Ezra Miller. Cast in 2014 hot off performances in The Perks of Being a Wall Flower and We Need to Talk About Kevin, the young star was an inspired casting choice for the Scarlet Speedster. Despite multiple delays to the film, fans were excited about the solo movie.

Miller’s performance in Justice League was a highlight for many, and the actor seemed to really love playing the role, even appearing in cameos on the CW’s Crisis on Infinite Earths and HBO Max’s Peacemaker. However, troubling headlines around the star have been difficult to ignore, from videos of assault to potential child endangerment and many other Miller disturbing headlines. Warner Bros. has found itself in a position where the star of one of their big 2023 tentpoles is a lightning rod for controversy.

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

Will Ezra Miller Remain the DCU’s Flash?

Following James Gunn and Peter Safran’s appointment to the heads of DCU Studios, the cancelation of Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman 3, and Henry Cavill no longer being Superman, many assumed it was a safe bet Miller would not return as The Flash. While new reports suggest that Miller may continue on as The Flash, even that now seems doubtful following the star recently pleading guilty to trespassing charges in Vermont.

While two charges against them were dropped, Miller is still expected to serve 89 to 90 days in a suspended sentence, as well as a year’s probation and a $500 fine. With all that and the fact that Warner Bros. seems to be looking to create a fresh start for the DCU, it might be a good idea to recast The Flash, and the upcoming movie could use its time travel and multiverse story to do that. Warner Bros. could recast someone to play Miller’s version of Barry Allen, introduce a new Barry Allen, or even bring in another version of The Flash like Wally West or Bart Allen. These six actors are arguably the best choices to wear the red suit and gold boots.

Miles Robbins

     20th Television

If Warner Bros. wanted to keep Miller’s incarnation of the character and simply recast, there might be no better choice than Miles Robbins. The son of actors Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon, Robbins had a breakout year in 2018 with performances in the comedy Blockers and the horror film Halloween. He has a similar laid-back vibe that Miller’s take on The Flash does, but the actor also would have room to create his own spin on The Flash. Robbins is a talented young star and Warner Bros. could create a new movie star by casting him as the DC superhero.

Elliot Page

     Netflix

Elliot Page is no stranger to comic book adaptations, as he previously played Kitty Pryde in X-Men: The Last Stand and stars as Viktor Hargreeves on The Umbrella Academy, which is set to conclude with its upcoming fourth and final season. Page is one of the most accomplished young stars working today and would be a major win for any studio to have as part of their franchise.

Casting an openly trans actor in the role of a major DC superhero in a big-budget film would be a win for representation, showing anybody can be a superhero, and would keep in line with Ezra Miller’s non-binary identification. Page is an incredible actor and casting him as The Flash is a win for everyone.

RJ Cyler

     Lionsgate

One of the elements that made the DCU so special was their ability to not be confined to the image of the comics and be able to cast great actors in the role despite being a different race. This worked for Jason Mamoa as Aquaman to even Ezra Miller as The Flash, and that hopefully will not be lost in the new regime, which is why Cyler should not be counted out as The Flash.

Austin Butler

     Warner Bros. Pictures

Austin Butler is one of the biggest stars in the world right now. Having recently won a Golden Globe for his performance in Elvis, Warner Bros. was very confident in the young star, casting him in Dune: Part 2 before Elvis even opened in theaters.

Being part of two major Warner Bros. films and one that is gaining awards attention, the studio likely wants to keep him around, similar to how they had Ezra Miller as part of both their DCU franchise and the Wizarding World series. Attaching Butler to a DC superhero project is something Warner Bros. is sure to want, and stepping into The Flash would certainly help repair the brand’s damaged reputation.

Phil Dunster

     Warner Bros. Television

At this rate, Ted Lasso actors seem increasingly likely to be cast in a superhero project, as currently both Brett Goldstein and Cristo Fernández have appeared in the MCU in Thor: Love and Thunder and Spider-Man: No Way Home, respectively. Phil Dunster, who plays the arrogant and lovable Jamie Tartt on the hit Apple TV+ series, seems like a better fit for the world of DC and the role of The Flash. Dunster in particular feels like he’d be best as the more comedic fan-favorite version of the hero, Wally West, who was the incarnation of the popular Justice League and Justice League Unlimited.

Joe Keery

     20th Century Studios

Joe Keery seems ideal to play the part of The Flash, be it the traditional Silver Age version of Barry Allen or the more comedic, wisecracking Wally West, or to even take over Ezra Miller’s DCU version of the character. Most audiences know Keery from the hit series Stranger Things where he shows a great range for balancing comedy and drama.

The actor showcased a new side to himself in Free Guy, playing against his cool guy image and inhabiting a quieter, more introverted character. Keery could easily step into The Flash and take the character to new heights that would also boost his career to a new level.