Anyone who has been followingThe Flashlikely knows about the trouble surrounding lead starEzra Miller. Cast in 2014 hot off performances inThe Perks of Being a Wall FlowerandWe Need to Talk About Kevin, the young star was an inspired casting choice for the Scarlet Speedster. Miller’s performance inJustice Leaguewas a highlight for many, and the actor seemed to really love playing the role, even appearing in cameos onthe CW’s Crisis on Infinite Earthsand HBO Max’sPeacemaker. However, troubling headlines around the star have been difficult to ignore, from videos of assault to potential child endangerment andmany other Miller disturbing headlines. Warner Bros. has found itself in a position where the star of one of their big 2023 tentpoles is a lightning rod for controversy.
Update August 11, 2025: This article has been updated following the release ofThe Flashand with even more actors who could play the character in the new DCU.
FollowingJames Gunn and Peter Safran’s appointmentto the heads of DCU Studios, the cancelation of Patty Jenkins’Wonder Woman 3,and Henry Cavill no longer being Superman, many assumed it was a safe bet Miller would not return as The Flash. While new reports suggest thatMiller may continue on as The Flash, even that now seems doubtful following the star recently pleading guilty to trespassing charges in Vermont.
While two charges against them were dropped, Miller is still expected to serve 89 to 90 days in a suspended sentence, as well as a year’s probation and a $500 fine. With all that and the fact that Warner Bros. seems to be looking to create a fresh start for the DCU, it might be a good idea to recast The Flash. Following the film’s box office disappointment, it is likely there will need to be a new Scarlet Speedster, and here are a few picks on who could take over the role.
Grant Gustin
Let’s get started with the obvious choice because why not?Grant Gustingave the ultimate portrayal of Barry Allen in any media ever. Comic fans can agree on this, as Barry has always been sort of a blank canvas in the DC Universe. The character gained notoriety during Wally West’s tenure as the Flash, which took place right after Crisis on Infinite Earths in 1983. Wally was the established Flash for many years until Geoff Johns brought him back for the sake of nostalgia.
Unlike the editorial team at DCEU, who didn’t know what to do with Barry other than giving most of the personality traits cultivated in Wally for a long time, The CW Flash did something new, unique, and utterly fabulous. Flash became the best-ranked show in the Arrowverseand took over the mantle as the flagship showwhen Arrow ended. Grant Gustin still stands strong as the most unique Barry to date. He should get a shot at reprising the role in the new DCU.
Miles Robbins
If Warner Bros. wanted to keep Miller’s incarnation of the character and simply recast, there might be no better choice thanMiles Robbins. The son of actors Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon, Robbins had a breakout year in 2018 with performances in the comedyBlockersand the horror filmHalloween.
Related:What Does James Gunns' New DCU Plan Mean For The Flash?
He has a similar laid-back vibe that Miller’s take on The Flash does, but the actor also would have room to create his own spin on The Flash. Robbins is a talented young actor, and Warner Bros. could create a new movie star by casting him as the DC superhero.
Elliot Page
Elliot Pageis no stranger to comic book adaptations, as he previously played Kitty Pryde inX-Men: The Last Standand stars as Viktor Hargreeves onThe Umbrella Academy,which is set to conclude with its upcoming fourth and final season. Page is one of the most accomplished young stars working today and would be a major win for any studio to have as part of their franchise.
Casting an openly trans actor in the role of a major DC superhero in a big-budget film would be a win for representation, showing anybody can be a superhero, and would keep in line with Ezra Miller’s non-binary identification. Page is an incredible actor andcasting him as The Flashis a win for everyone.
Freddie Highmore
Do we need a nerdy-looking guy with a background in science?Freddie Highmoreshould be the top option in the race. Freddie has been around for a long time now, with his break in the filmWomen Talking Dirty. He would start next to Johnny Deep for the next two years in the moviesFinding NeverlandandCharlie and The Chocolate Factory.
From there on, he would voice multiple animated roles and return to films as a young adult inThe Art of Getting By, next to Emma Watson. He would eventually get prominent exposure for starring in Bates Motel and for playing Shaun Murphy in the showThe Good Doctor,a story about a young autistic surgeonworking at the prestigious San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital, earning him multiple award nominations due to his portrayal of autism, which has been praised and criticized.
RJ Cylerhas previously played a superhero in 2017’sThe Power Rangers, but that franchise failed to take off, which is a shame because Cyler was one of the best parts of the movie. Cyler broke out with his role inMe and Earl and the Dying Girland has since starred in critically acclaimed films like Netflix’sThe Harder They Falland Amazon Prime’sEmergency. Cyler could easily step into the role of Barry Allen or even one of the other Flash like Wally West or Bart Allen, if DC wanted a different Flash.
One of the elements that made the DCU so special was their ability to not be confined to the image of the comics and be able to cast great actors in the role despite being a different race. This worked for Jason Mamoa as Aquaman to even Ezra Miller as The Flash, and that hopefully will not be lost in the new regime, which is why Cyler should not be counted out as The Flash.
Austin Butler
Austin Butleris one of the biggest stars in the world right now. Havingrecently won a Golden Globefor his performance inElvis, Warner Bros. was very confident in the young star, casting him inDune: Part 2beforeElviseven opened in theaters.
Being part of two major Warner Bros. films and one that is gaining awards attention, the studio likely wants to keep him around, similar to how they had Ezra Miller as part of both their DCU franchise andthe Wizarding World series. Attaching Butler to a DC superhero project is something Warner Bros. is sure to want, and stepping into The Flash would certainly help repair the brand’s damaged reputation.
Phil Dunster
At this rate,Ted Lassoactors seem increasingly likely to be cast in a superhero project, as currently both Brett Goldstein and Cristo Fernández have appeared in the MCU inThor: Love and ThunderandSpider-Man: No Way Home,respectively.
Related:Every Actor to Play The Flash in Live Action in Chronological Order
Phil Dunster, who plays the arrogant and lovable Jamie Tartt on the hit Apple TV+ series, seems like a better fit for the world of DC and the role of The Flash. Dunster, in particular, feels like he’d be best as the more comedic fan-favorite version of the hero, Wally West, who was the incarnation of the popularJustice LeagueandJustice League Unlimited.
Lucas Till
Lucas Tillis a young talent still looking for that role that makes him a superstar for the ages. The man has had a long career in cinema, with minor roles in films such asWalk the Line, where he plays a young Jack Cash. His big break came inHannah Montana: The Movie, where he plays Travis Brody. He has the looks and the talent (as well as the mental stability) to become our brand-new Barry Allen.
Till would increase his profile by taking on the role of Alex Summers, the elder brother to Scott Summers in the Foxverse version of the X-Men, where he was unceremoniously killed inX-Men Apocalypse. More recently, he’s been seen as Son of South and playing the ever-resourceful Angus MacGyverin the relaunched version of the classicMacGyverthat ran for five seasons from 2016 to 2021.
Joe Keeryseems ideal to play the part of The Flash, be it the traditional Silver Age version of Barry Allen or the more comedic, wisecracking Wally West, or to even take over Ezra Miller’s DCU version of the character. Most audiences know Keery from the hit seriesStranger Thingswhere he shows a great range for balancing comedy and drama.
The actor showcased a new side to himself inFree Guy, playing against his cool guy image and inhabiting a quieter, more introverted character. Keery could easily step into The Flash and take the character to new heights that would also boost his career to a new level.
Will Poulter
James Gunn already made a joke out of him in the MCU as the near-invincible Adam Warlock, one of the central figures in the originalInfinity Warstoryline, into an intergalactic himbo (although that might be true to te comics also). He already bulked up to superhero standards; why can’t Gunn poach this young talent and bring him to the DCU?Will Poulteris known for playing lovable goofballs in most of his roles, but he’s also a nuanced drama actor with works such asThe Revenant,Midsommar, andWar Machine.
Poulter also wears his scientific sensibilities in his belt, much like Barry Allen does, as he fiercely advocates for underfunded medical research related to incurable diseases and mental health. He played a significant role related to the dealings of big pharma in the miniseriesDopesickalongside Michael Keaton, which earned him his first big-time nomination for the Primetime Emmy Awards.
