Are two versions of the Flash good for DC, or a potential problem?
Unlike
Marvel Entertainment, DC has chosen to keep their television universe separate from their Cinematic one. I’m not here to argue which approach is best. Honestly both present their own set of challenges for their respective studios. What intrigues me is how DC is going to handle one of my favorite shows,
CW’s The Flash. The Flash is unique to DC Entertainment because he appears in his own television series and soon the DC movies. The character will also be played by two very different actors, and reports lead me to believe that both will be
Barry Allen (more on that later). It sounds like DC might have too much of a good thing.
In order to talk about The Flash we first need to discuss
Arrow. DC’s other long running show has
had appearances by some members of the
Suicide Squad, but to be honest
Michael Rowe and,
Cynthia Addai-Robinson are not
Will Smith and
Viola Davis. The former were reoccurring characters’ on the show and have been or will be written off in order to avoid confusion with
David Ayer’s upcoming movie. What this means is while the movies have potentially limited what Arrow is able to do. It don’t affect any major characters.
With Flash we are talking about the actual Star of the show.
Grant Gustin has been an absolute gem as the Flash, and is one of the main reasons for its success. This week he was recognized for his work with a
Saturn Award, and the show has become one of the best in CW’s weekly lineup. The network is planning for Gustin to lend his star power to CW’s new spinoff
Legends of Tomorrow, and CW Seed’s
Vixen. He was featured in a photo shoot in costume with
Melissa Benoist who is playing
Super Girl over on
CBS. An argument can be made that he is the
RDJ of DCTV’s universe. So how do DC take the spotlight off of Gustin and Shine it on
Ezra Miller? This is a not critique of Ezra the actor. The controversial casting of the eccentric Miller has raised a few eyebrows in the comic book community. He and Gustin are nothing alike, but to be fair Miller was cast to tell the story
Zack Snyder wants to tell. So I’ll hold my judgement until I see what that is. What Gustin does have right now though is likability, and a whole season playing the role. The question I have to ask is how does DC handle a world with two Flash?
How about try this. Ezra isn’t Barry. This is the easiest solution, and would solve a lot of the concerns I have. It’s simple make the cinematic Flash
Wally West. It may still be a bit confusing for the genera audience, and Barry’s fan’s may feel cheated that they don’t get to see their hero in all his glory in IMAX 3D. In the end though this option works best for me. It will explain the different
actors and their portrayals in the simplest fashion. It doesn’t look like DC is going this route though. While Zack Snyder hasn’t shared his plans for Flash.
Phil Lord who is developing the story for the Flash standalone movie said this in May
“I believe [our Flash] is going to be Barry Allen.” If he’s being honest we are getting two Barry’s. So this option sounds like a no go.
With that solution unavailable what’s the outcome. I think the general audience may feel indifferent about Ezra and the cinematic Flash? It is just a Cameo in
BVS after all. We don’t know his role in the
Justice League movie or how much he’ll be featured. Then there’s the Flash solo movie. It doesn’t come out until 2018. That’s two more years of Gustin playing the role on TV. Could this split the fan base and hurt the popularity of both characters? Worst it may attract the wrath of fan boys . Ezra Miller has been a target of hate since his casting was announced. Could all of this increase? Fueled by a misguided loyalty to Grant Gustin, and the TV show? On the other hand the cinematic version may turn out to be amazing, even if it is just a glimpse. With access to better quality effects and like I mentioned before IMAX 3D the audience is blown away. So maybe the show suffers, and viewership drops off. It’s a tight line DC is walking. I saw this coming the moment DC announced they were not connected. What I didn’t see coming was that The Flash would be such a solid show.
On Saturday July 11 in Hall H both Grant and Ezra will cross paths for the first time. This is a inhouse fight which will shape the future of both actors. I for one will be watching very closely. This race is far from over may the best speedster win.
As always thanks for taking the time to read my ramblings.
Debate it. Discuss it or Destroy it. the forum is yours
Peace