We've been hearing whispers that Warner Bros. has been holding a series of test-screenings for The Flash over the past couple of months, and that the movie had been getting something of a mixed response. Well, Variety has now confirmed that these screenings were indeed taking place, but it sounds like the overall reaction has been a lot more positive than we'd been led to believe.
According to the trade's sources, the Scarlet Speedster's first solo adventure has been "extraordinarily well received in early test screenings," and the studio intends to "give the superhero film the full blockbuster treatment."
Of course, there is the small matter of star Ezra Miller's recent brushes with the law. WB execs don't appear to be too worried (outwardly, at least), but even if they did decide to take some kind of action, insiders believe it would not be possible to replace the actor without reshooting the entire movie as they are in just about every scene.
That said, Variety does seem to suggest that Miller could be recast in the Barry Allen role at some point in the future, making The Flash a "one-and-done project", even though "it’s not intended to be a one-off adventure."
The studio has yet to publicly address Miller's actions, although a recent report that Warner Bros. had decided to "hit pause on any future projects involving the actor including possible appearances in the DC Cinematic Universe," was played down.
The Flash was recently pushed back from Nov. 4, 2022 to June 23, 2023.