Given the negative attention Ezra Miller has received with recent legal troubles, the DCEU already has the perfect way to replace the actor as Barry Allen and his alter-ego The Flash in future films, if necessary. Miller first appeared as "The Fastest Man Alive" in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and reprised the role in Suicide Squad and Justice League, but Miller will take the lead for the first time in The Flash. Variety’s senior entertainment writer Adam B. Vary reported that Warner Bros. has no intention of replacing Miller in the superhero’s first solo film, given that the movie has already completed filming. However, future films in the DCEU could recast the role if Miller continues to have issues with the law.

Troubles began in early 2020 when a shocking video of Ezra Miller appearing to choke a fan while at a bar in Iceland surfaced online. In what appeared to be a pattern of behavior, they was then arrested in March of this year while in Hilo, Hawaii. They was charged with disorderly conduct and harassment following reports of an incident at a bar, and a restraining order was filed against them when they had an alleged altercation with a couple shortly after being released on bail. Although the couple conveniently dropped the restraining order days before the release of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, a third incident occurred in April when The Flash star was arrested a second time in Hawaii. They was charged with second-degree assault after they reportedly threw a chair that inadvertently resulted in the injury of a 26-year-old woman.

Related: The Flash’s New Release Date Is A Michael Keaton Batman Tribute

Even mere accusations of violence could potentially be harmful to a movie star’s career, as claimed by Johnny Depp and Amber Heard during their trial over a defamation lawsuit. Depp and his legal team have attempted to prove claims of abuse made by his ex-wife resulted in the actor no longer being offered the opportunity to play Jack Sparrow in the ongoing Pirates of the Caribbean franchise and Heard believes her role in Aquaman 2 was cut down following the backlash from accusations. With more negative press, Warner Bros. could also decide to limit Ezra Miller’s involvement in the DCEU and would have the perfect opportunity to do so with the multiverse storyline of The Flash.

Michael Keaton and Ezra Miller in The Flash

Although plot details for The Flash have been mostly kept secret, it is known that it will involve the multiverse in a reworking of the Flashpoint storyline from the comics. Similar to actors from previous Spider-Man franchises returning to the role for Spider-Man: No Way Home, The Flash’s multiverse will include Michael Keaton as a multiverse Batman alongside Ben Affleck’s DCEU version. While Ezra Miller is also reportedly playing multiple versions of The Flash in the film, establishing the existence of DC superheroes played by different actors could give a valid reason for their replacement in any sequels or other DCEU films. It is unlikely this would take place in the film’s main narrative since filming is complete, but the introduction of another actor as The Flash could be added as a post-credit sequence.

Many fans have voiced their desire to have actor Grant Gustin step into the role, as he has starred as Barry Allen in CW’s The Flash for eight seasons, along with additional appearances as the superhero in the Arrowverse. There have been rumors that Grant Gustin’s Barry Allen is in The Flash movie as a cameo, which could set up the opportunity for him to replace Ezra Miller in future DCEU releases. Whether or not Warner Bros. takes this approach remains to be seen, but the multiverse storyline will provide them with a logical explanation for the casting change. There are also questions about whether Ezra Miller will return in Fantastic Beasts 4 following the bad press resulting from their legal troubles. The franchise notably replaced Johnny Depp with Mads Mikkelsen in the latest installment and could potentially do the same with The Flash star in future films.

Next: Will Ezra Miller Return In Fantastic Beasts 4?

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