Despite being hailed as "the greatest superhero ever made," The Flash received a tepid response from critics and was largely rejected by regular moviegoers and fanboys alike. As things stand, it now looks set to lose Warner Bros. upwards of $200 million.
That's an absolute disaster for the studio, but this character deserves a second chance in James Gunn's DCU...with a new actor playing him.
Despite being chosen by Zack Snyder to play the Fastest Man Alive, Ezra Miller was always a strange pick for Barry Allen. That was evident from what we saw in The Flash and given the ongoing controversies surrounding the actor - and the fact this movie flopped - common sense says it's time for a fresh start. And yes, we have some thoughts on who should take over!
To find out which actors could and should be the DCU's new Scarlet Speedster, simply hit the "Next" button below.
7. Timothée Chalamet
Whether Timothée Chalamet would be open to joining a major superhero franchise is hard to say. Still, the actor certainly hasn't shied away from commercial fare, something that's evident from his roles in Dune and the upcoming Wonka.
It would be no bad thing for an actor of his calibre to bring some gravitas to a role like Barry, especially after Miller's interpretation. Part-incel, part-goofball, that Scarlet Speedster didn't resonate with fans and, while he isn't slowed down by angst, it might be time to show Barry getting serious.
Humour will likely be a big part of Gunn's DCU, but an actor as talented as Chalamet could easily tap into the fun of this role while helping redeem Flash in the eyes of moviegoers. We're sure DC Studios would also benefit from the actor's massive fanbase.
6. Lucas Till
Lucas Till was sorely underutilised in the X-Men franchise but has since established himself as an actor capable of leading a project thanks to roles in projects like MacGyver and Son of the South.
Once upon a time, Bradley Cooper was a fan-favourite choice to play Barry on screen, and Till has the same sort of swagger and charm which would lend itself well to a comic-accurate take on Flash. The Fastest Man Alive is supposed to be brimming with confidence, something he'd pull off with ease.
As well as looking the part, Till is someone who could really make the Scarlet Speedster his own. A new solo outing is likely a long way off, but the actor being weaved into the DCU as a supporting player before joining the Justice League would give Till more to sink his teeth into than Havok ever did.
5. Jack Quaid
As The Boys' Hughie, we've seen Jack Quaid really come into his own as an actor. From being an overwhelmed fish-out-of-water to a hardened badass (though we use that term lightly compared to some other members of the team), Quaid has really shown what he can do across the course of this Prime Video series.
The Flash is a superhero who, while sure of himself, is admittedly a bit of a doofus at times and a huge geek who loves science. Whether it's solving crimes in Central City or helping the Justice League overcome their latest foe, he's as smart as he is fast.
Quaid could pull that off and recently had a taste of the DC Universe playing the title character in My Adventures with Superman. While Clark Kent and Barry are very different, something tells us the actor could deliver the version of Flash we know many of you have spent years waiting to see on screen.
4. Tye Sheridan
Another X-Men actor worthy of a second chance in a superhero project, there's much more to Tye Sheridan than just Cyclops. That's evident from his work in Ready Player One, The Night Clerk, and Wireless, and we'd love to see him get a second shot at blockbuster stardom in the DCU.
We're clearly getting a more youthful take on the Justice League from DC Studios, but they won't be kids and it's time to move on from Barry being a dumb teenager who awkwardly tries to fit in with his fellow heroes. Sheridan could bring some much-needed maturity to the role, imbuing Flash with extra confidence to boot.
It's easy to forget that Barry is the powerhouse who once gave his life to save the Multiverse in Crisis on Infinite Earths and we'd love to see Sheridan's portrayal of a hero who knows how to make use of his God-like abilities.
3. George MacKay
Back when there was talk of Ezra Miller being recast in The Flash, 1917 and Munich: The Edge of War star George MacKay was rumoured to be a possible frontrunner. Fans got on board with the idea, though we quickly learned those rumours were bogus.
DC Studios could do a lot worse than casting this talented Brit as the Fastest Man Alive. The aforementioned projects have shown he can quite effortlessly play unassuming characters with a strong resolve, and something tells us he'd knock the duality of Barry Allen and The Flash out of the park.
That's an element of the character Miller never explored; their Barry was a goof out of the costume and an even bigger one in it. With MacKay, we could be looking at a star-making performance that sees the character finally done justice on the big screen.
2. Asher Angel
We know what you're thinking: "They can't cast Billy Batson as Barry Allen!" Why not? The actor was underutilized in the Shazam! movies despite being a bigger talent than Zachary Levi, and seeing as pretty much no one watched Fury of the Gods (based on its box office), it's not like Asher Angel is synonymous with Billy.
He's really come into his own as an actor and has that leading man look which was once so highly sought after in Hollywood. A character like this would be a big test for him, but as a confident Barry who has spent a good few years protecting Central City, we think Angel has what it takes.
The Scarlet Speedster isn't arrogant per se, but he's never shied away from running rings around his fellow Justice League members and, as one of their most formidable members, is every bit as capable as Batman and Superman. We'd like to see Angel's Flash match wits with them.
1. Will Poulter
An actor Gunn has recently worked with, we can't help but think the MCU's Adam Warlock would also make for a pretty damn terrific Flash. However, as well as Barry Allen, this is an actor we'd actually consider casting as Wally West instead.
Much of that hero's backstory would likely have to be changed, but DC Studios may choose to move past Barry given the baggage he has courtesy not only of the DCEU, but the Arrowverse as well. Regardless of which version he potentially plays, though, Poulter absolutely has what it takes.
Beyond Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, he's massively impressed in Midsommar, Dopesick, and The Bear, and a leading role in the DCU is arguably a logical next step. A powerhouse talent, he'd effortlessly do this character justice and wipe away the bad taste left by Miller...