The Arrowverse's Grant Gustin is the best actor to make issues with the DCEU movie, and it was no surprise that it bombed.
The Flash grossed $271.4 million on a reported $200 million budget, making it one of the biggest failures in superhero movie history. That was not good for the Flash's name with the general audience. While Miller's take on the character was far from beloved, audiences flocked to Grant Gustin's Barry Allen, who graced the small screens for DCU projects, I think Gustin could save Barry Allen.
The DCU Has No Plans For The Flash At The Moment
Barry Allen's Movie Return Is In Limbo
After The Flash failed alongside other 2023 DCEU movies, it was revealed that the cast of the franchise's Justice League would all leave their roles. Henry Cavill was the first to be recast, with David Corenswet now playing Superman. Jason Momoa has left Aquaman behind in favor of playing Lobo, but there has been no word on who will play Arthur Curry or the other of the DCEU Justice League now in the DCU. I have been wondering about the Flash's movie future since his film bombed, as other characters have had future teases while he has nothing.
I recently understood why that is the case, as James Gunn has no DCU plans for the Flash right now. On Threads (via The Flash director Andy Muschietti also made some recent comments about the film's failure, suggesting the Flash is just not a character people like. I'm fiercely against that opinion, as the Flash can and should work in live-action.
Grant Gustin’s 10-Year Run As Barry Allen Shows The Flash Works In Live-Action
The Arrowverse Was Better Than The Old DCEU In Every Way
While Muschietti's The Flash might have failed with Ezra Miller as Barry Allen, the Arrowverse showed just how successful the character can be in live-action. Over nine seasons, multiple crossover events, and more Arrowverse appearances, Grant Gustin cemented himself as the definitive live-action Flash in the eyes of many. I was a fan of Gustin's Barry Allen from the moment he debuted. Appearing as a guest star in two episodes of Arrow, Gustin made Barry incredibly charismatic, funny, and a character worth following, even though he did not have powers yet. His acting in the role was fantastic.
Grant Gustin's Barry Allen In The Arrowverse Proves The Flash Director's Reason For Why The DC Movie Bombed At The Box Office Totally Wrong
Director Andy Muschietti tried to justify The Flash movie's mistakes, but Grant Gustin's long-running Arrowverse series proves the DC director wrong.
It would continue that way for a decade. Even when The Flash series faltered due to meandering writing, Gustin was always on point as Barry, excelling in comedic scenes, emotional moments, and fight sequences. Even before the actor's controversies, Ezra Miller's performances as Barry Allen were not nearly as engaging or beloved as Gustin's. After a successful 10-year run in the role, I'm convinced that Gustin could turn the Flash around in the movie department. Now older, the actor could play Barry as a veteran and a mentor to Wally West and others, continuing the DCU's buildup of superhero families.
Grant Gustin Is Open To ing The DCU & James Gunn Wants Him To
The Door Is Seemingly Open For Gustin's Flash Return
I think bringing back Gustin as the Flash is the best choice for the DCU, as the actor's return could simply be explained by him playing a different version of Barry from the one in the Arrowverse through the multiverse. For that to happen, both Gustin and James Gunn would need to be open to that idea. Thankfully, they appear to be. Gustin was asked many times whether he had talks to play Barry Allen in the DCU. While that has not happened, the actor revealed he would play the Flash again if Gunn asked, as he trusts the director.
While he did not specifically mention the Flash, Gunn has also commented on Gustin ing the DCU. According to the director, the Arrowverse star is a talented actor Gunn would love to work with in the future. That comment could line up with the idea that DC is taking some time to assess what to do with the Flash in the DCU. While there are no plans for the character right now, I believe there is a real chance that Gustin could return to his most famous role, and he is what the DCU's version of The Flash needs.
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The Flash
4/10- Release Date
- June 16, 2023
- Runtime
- 144 minutes
- Director
- Andres Muschietti
Cast
Barry Allen / The Flash
Sasha CalleKara Zor-El / Supergirl
WHERE TO WATCH
StreamingRENTBUYThe Flash is a DC Extended Universe film starring Ezra Miller as Barry Allen, A.K.A. The Flash. Wishing for a world where his mother still lives, Barry Allen manages to find a way to travel through time to save her. However, Barry ends up in an alternate universe where metahumans aren't present, meaning a living General Zod arrives to conquer the planet. To save this world and return home, Barry will seek the help of two alternate reality heroes, Batman (Michael Keaton) and Supergirl (Sasha Calle).
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The Flash follows CSI investigator Barry Allen, who wakes from a coma with super speed after a lightning strike. Collaborating with S.T.A.R. Labs, he adopts the identity of The Flash to safeguard his city, marking his journey as the Fastest Man Alive in this superhero tale.
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