The Flash has always been about momentum, a hero characterized by speed, hope, and second chances. Ironically, it is what the cinematic journey of the Scarlet Speedster requires the most at the moment.
Following the controversial tenure of Ezra Miller and the commercial failure of ‘The Flash’ (2023), the future of the character appeared unclear, if not over. However, time has a weird way of coming around, and at this point, the DC Universe could have the right moment to provide Barry Allen with a fresh start.
How The DCU Can Finally Get The Flash Right
As the ‘Superman’ film by James Gunn opens a new chapter in the DCU and a spin-off series about Jimmy Olsen is said to feature Gorilla Grodd, the gateway to the long-awaited redemption arc of the Flash is open. The DCU does not simply require a new actor to play the role. It requires a new idea of what The Flash is, not a product of anarchy, but a pillar of bravery.
Related: DC Studios Reimagines Batman’s Legacy With 2 Bold New Projects
It’s no secret that The Flash’s last cinematic outing was one of DC’s biggest missed opportunities. The 2023 film, which was supposed to re-establish the multiverse and bring life to a crumbling DCEU, instead fell under its own weight, both in terms of story and in terms of box office. Although the movie featured stunning visuals and touching moments, its failure could not be overlooked due to its mixed reception and low box office earnings ($271 million on a $220 million budget).
Next came the shadow that was hovering over the production: the personal controversies of Ezra Miller. The actor was one of the most controversial personalities in Hollywood, with arrests, accusations, and unpredictable behavior in the streets. Warner Bros. tried to walk a fine line and neither confirm nor deny the future of Miller as The Flash. However, with the DCU rebooted by James Gunn, it is becoming more apparent that Miller’s time is over.
Why James Gunn’s DCU Deserves A New Flash
Enter ‘DC Crime’, the next Superman spinoff series based on Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo). Paperwise, it reads like a light-hearted newsroom series of a photographer-turned-reporter trailing the exploits of Superman. However, behind the camera flashes, there is something far more interesting: the introduction of Gorilla Grodd, one of the most recognizable villains in The Flash. The fact that Grodd appears in a Superman spinoff is an intriguing decision.
In case you missed it: 10 DC Characters Who Deserve Their Own TV Series
It suggests that DC Studios is secretly constructing connective tissue among its heroes. Grodd is a telepathic gorilla with the intellect of a genius. He is a character with strong connections to Central City, not Metropolis. In case Grodd is roaming freely in this new universe. So, it is only natural that someone like The Flash would have to intervene.
Imagine Jimmy Olsen, in his quest to get a story, discovers some weird metahuman activity that is connected to Grodd. The mess is intensified, Superman is away, and when everything appears to be lost, the villain is stopped by a new Flash, perhaps Wally West or a reinvented Barry Allen. That one cameo would accomplish more than the introduction of a new hero. It would salvage the Flash brand.
The DCU created by James Gunn is developing into a heart, humor, and heroism balance, which fits The Flash well. At best, the Flash is a man who is attempting to run away from guilt, grief, and time. However, this is where the new DCU can go a step further: rather than relying on the multiverse anarchy or the nostalgia cameos, the next Flash can be about humanity.
