I’m Convinced There Is No Better DCU Flash Than Grant Gustin & He Could Save The Character After DCEU Movie Disappointment

The Arrowverse’s Grant Gustin is the best actor to make The Flash popular in the new DC Universe after the speedster’s first movie bombed at the box office. A lot of expectations were created surrounding Ezra Miller’s The Flash. I was excited to see what the movie could do, as it was the first time that the speedster had a film to call his own. While I mostly enjoyed The Flash and think it has Miller’s best performance as Barry Allen, there were clear issues with the DCEU movie, and it was no surprise that it bombed.

The Flash grossed $271.4 million on a reported $200 million budget, making it one of the biggest failures in superhero movie history. That was not good for the Flash’s name with the general audience. While Miller’s take on the character was far from beloved, audiences flocked to Grant Gustin’s Barry Allen, who graced the small screens for nine seasons of The Flash. I’m a big fan of what Gustin did with the character in the Arrowverse. After some recent comments about The Flash movie and the character’s future in upcoming DCU projects, I think Gustin could save Barry Allen.

The DCU Has No Plans For The Flash At The Moment

Barry Allen’s Movie Return Is In Limbo

After The Flash failed alongside other 2023 DCEU movies, it was revealed that the cast of the franchise’s Justice League would all leave their roles. Henry Cavill was the first to be recast, with David Corenswet now playing Superman. Jason Momoa has left Aquaman behind in favor of playing Lobo, but there has been no word on who will play Arthur Curry or the other members of the DCEU Justice League now in the DCU. I have been wondering about the Flash’s movie future since his film bombed, as other characters have had future teases while he has nothing.

I recently understood why that is the case, as James Gunn has no DCU plans for the Flash right now. On Threads (via Noobmastter-3000/Reddit), Gunn said they are “holding a beat on development” of the Flash in the DCU. 2023’s The Flash failed so spectacularly that DC is now cautious about using the character in films, which I’m not happy about. The Flash director Andy Muschietti also made some recent comments about the film’s failure, suggesting the Flash is just not a character people like. I’m fiercely against that opinion, as the Flash can and should work in live-action.

Grant Gustin’s 10-Year Run As Barry Allen Shows The Flash Works In Live-Action

The Arrowverse Was Better Than The Old DCEU In Every Way

While Muschietti’s The Flash might have failed with Ezra Miller as Barry Allen, the Arrowverse showed just how successful the character can be in live-action. Over nine seasons, multiple crossover events, and more Arrowverse appearances, Grant Gustin cemented himself as the definitive live-action Flash in the eyes of many. I was a fan of Gustin’s Barry Allen from the moment he debuted. Appearing as a guest star in two episodes of Arrow, Gustin made Barry incredibly charismatic, funny, and a character worth following, even though he did not have powers yet. His acting in the role was fantastic.

It would continue that way for a decade. Even when The Flash series faltered due to meandering writing, Gustin was always on point as Barry, excelling in comedic scenes, emotional moments, and fight sequences. Even before the actor’s controversies, Ezra Miller’s performances as Barry Allen were not nearly as engaging or beloved as Gustin’s. After a successful 10-year run in the role, I’m convinced that Gustin could turn the Flash around in the movie department. Now older, the actor could play Barry as a veteran and a mentor to Wally West and others, continuing the DCU’s buildup of superhero families.

Grant Gustin Is Open To Joining The DCU & James Gunn Wants Him To

The Door Is Seemingly Open For Gustin’s Flash Return

Grant Gustin running throoug Central City as the Flash in The Flash

I think bringing back Gustin as the Flash is the best choice for the DCU, as the actor’s return could simply be explained by him playing a different version of Barry from the one in the Arrowverse through the multiverse. For that to happen, both Gustin and James Gunn would need to be open to that idea. Thankfully, they appear to be. Gustin was asked many times whether he had talks to play Barry Allen in the DCU. While that has not happened, the actor revealed he would play the Flash again if Gunn asked, as he trusts the director.

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While he did not specifically mention the Flash, Gunn has also commented on Gustin joining the DCU. According to the director, the Arrowverse star is a talented actor Gunn would love to work with in the future. That comment could line up with the idea that DC is taking some time to ᴀssess what to do with the Flash in the DCU. While there are no plans for the character right now, I believe there is a real chance that Gustin could return to his most famous role, and he is what the DCU’s version of The Flash needs.