Warner Bros. may have a tremendous hit on their hands with The Flash. Currently in post-production with a planned release for summer 2023 release, the film will dive directly into the DCEU's multiverse, opening the door for characters from other superhero worlds to come into the fold. We already know that this includes Michael Keaton's Batman, meaning no less than two Bat-men will appear in the film as Ben Affleck also returns.
It's clearly an ambitious film, but early word is that it has been handled properly. Per Variety, test screenings for The Flash have been "extraordinarily well received" by viewers. That's a promising update for Warner Bros., as movies set in the DCEU have not always been welcomed by filmgoers with open arms. Bad reviews can hurt a film's prospective success, and if that were coupled with the problematic behavior of the movie's lead star, The Flash could've been heading to theaters with a major disadvantage.
It's no secret that Ezra Miller, who leads the film as the titular speedster, has been having some problems with the law. In recent months, they had been arrested on two separate occasions in Hawaii. These arrests also brought back to light other instances of Miller causing problems, such as an incident captured in a viral video that appeared to show Miller pushing a woman to the ground. Miller was not charged criminally in that incident but there have been some fan calls for Miller to be recast in the film, perhaps with Grant Gustin taking over the role.
Ezra Miller Won't Be Recast in The Flash
Warner Bros. execs are probably crossing their fingers and hoping that Miller can stay out of handcuffs from now until the movie is released. That's because recasting the role is just not going to happen. The idea of an actor getting replaced ahead of release is not unheard of, with Mads Mikkelsen replacing Johnny Depp in Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, another Warner Bros. production, serving as a recent example.
However, in that case, Depp hadn't filmed many scenes in his role and there wasn't much that had to be reshot with a new actor in place. With The Flash, Miller is simply in far too many scenes that recasting the role would basically mean reshooting the entire film from scratch. It would be tremendously expensive to go down this road, so word is the studio will continue on with Miller in place with no attempts to recast the part.
The Flash is directed by Andy Muschietti and written by Christina Hodson with a story by John Francis Daley, Jonathan Goldstein, and Joby Harold. Along with Miller, the film stars Michael Keaton, Ron Livingston, Kiersey Clemons, Michael Shannon, Antje Traue, Sasha Calle, and Ben Affleck. Given the nature of the multiverse, there are likely going to be many other big surprises that will be unveiled in the theatrical release.
Warner Bros. will release The Flash in movie theaters on June 23, 2023.