The ongoing legal troubles facing The Flash star Ezra Miller are leaving a dark cloud over the Scarlet Speedster’s first solo film outing. My expectations were at sea level (to put it mildly), with the supposed plot leaks and bringing back a 70 year old Michael Keaton to replace Ben Affleck in a fractured DCEU. With this film being DC’s first foray into the Multiverse, it all feels like a jumbled mess that will alienate even more of the fan base.
As Barry Allen, they (Miller) have been receiving mixed responses which only began to improve after their performance in Zack Snyder’s Justice League. With the ongoing legal disputes that are surrounding the actor and their strange and concerning response to the allegations, Warner Brothers Discovery is stuck between a rock and a hard place. Pundits and critics alike have offered their suggestions on what WBD should do regarding The Flash. What is the best course of action in dealing with the alleged misconduct from one of the marquee actors leading a potential blockbuster franchise?
The rumored budget for the film, which is now scheduled to release on June 23rd, 2023 is $100 million plus. With actors such as Michael Keaton, Ben Affleck, Michael Shannon, Sasha Calle and Ron Livingston, this is an impressive ensemble cast. The film was originally going to hit theaters in November of 2022, but it was delayed. The film is, by all accounts, finished, as it has been test screened over the last few months. The most recent of which has garnered glowing reviews but no details are available in terms of positive or negative feedback. The current head of DC Films, Walter Hamada, is the lead producer of this film but due to the shock and awe tactics being implemented by WBD head David Zaslav, Hamada’s tenure is near its end (Earlier this month, WB President Toby Emmerich stepped down to focus on producing).
We have seen how allegations can drastically change one person’s career and life in a matter of seconds. While some of these high profile individuals are guilty of doing heinous things, allowing our judicial system (while very flawed) to do their due diligence seems to be a lost art. Rumors and allegations have taken the place of truth and concrete evidence. If Ezra is guilty of committing these deplorable acts, then they should be prosecuted to full extent of the law. If not, the evidence should and must serve as their shield.
I’m no legal expert but speaking as a concerned fan of Miller’s, I hope that they show themselves and face these allegations head on. I hope that they seek professional help and support while being cooperative in the legal process. Remember, it is innocent until proven guilty, not the other way around. In terms of their role as Barry Allen/The Flash, the best course of action is to allow the movie to stay intact as is, with a few reshoots to allow the film to make sense thematically. Unless Miller is absolved of any wrongdoing, I don’t think this film will have a conventional, wide release. Allow the film to be purchased on demand and release it on HBO Max after the 30-45 day theatrical window. It could potentially lessen the inevitable financial loss this movie will experience as the situation unfolds.
I genuinely feel bad for the creatives that have worked incredibly hard on this film, especially Andy Muschietti, Ben Affleck, Michael Keaton and Sasha Calle. This film had been announced back in 2014, when the first season of the CW television series premiered. Constant rewrites, director exits, COVID-19 and other issues have marred this production. I have no immediate plans to see this movie if it releases, yet as an aspiring filmmaker, I can’t help but feel a bit sad about how one actor’s legal troubles are having an adverse effect on their hard work.
The Musings of an Average Guy 