From all the controversies surrounding Ezra Miller to the fact that the film was overhyped by the DC heads, here are the reasons why The Flash really bombed. When Miller was first cast as Barry Allen, it was a moment of great anticipation for fans. As a promising up-and-coming actor, Miller had the honor of bringing this beloved superhero to life on the big screen in live action for the very first time. However, as the years passed, Miller’s off-screen troubles began to overshadow their on-screen achievements.
Impact of Controversies and Personal Struggles on Ezra Miller’s Career
Various incidents and controversies put the actor in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, and their personal struggles took center stage. These issues cast a shadow over Miller’s career, making it difficult for audiences to separate the actor from the character they played. Rumors even swirled around about Warner Brothers, the studio behind The Flash movie, considering recasting the role or bypassing a theatrical release altogether and opting for a direct-to-streaming approach. DC fans were not happy with Miller’s behavior, especially after the Batgirl film was canceled around the same time.
While the average moviegoer might not have paid close attention to all the online noise surrounding Miller’s personal life, their absence from the press tour didn’t go unnoticed. People started worrying about how Miller’s absence would affect the final product, especially since they were set to play two separate versions of Barry Allen in the movie. In the end, it seems that fans didn’t want to support such a controversial star.
But Miller’s controversies aren’t the only reason why The Flash failed. There’s also the looming DCEU reboot that is about to happen. James Gunn and Peter Safran, the creative minds behind the upcoming Superman Legacy, have revealed that they’re giving the DC Universe a fresh start in 2025. While some characters will continue their journey in the rebooted universe, major changes are expected, including new versions of iconic characters like Batman and Superman. Audiences wanted interconnectivity between films, and they weren’t hyped to pay money for a movie that would become outdated within months.
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Superhero Fatigue and Lack of Innovation With The Flash
Furthermore, superhero fatigue may have played a role in The Flash’s failure. Recent superhero films like Shazam: Fury of the Gods and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania also experienced underwhelming box office numbers. Audiences are becoming more selective in their superhero movie choices, and The Flash couldn’t escape that trend. The film also didn’t break new ground since fans already had nine seasons of The Flash TV series to enjoy.
The timing of the movie’s release was unfortunate as well. The series finale of the TV show aired just weeks before the release of Ezra Miller’s solo movie. Fans who already loved the CW show weren’t eager to watch what they considered a lower quality version of the same thing. Newcomers to the franchise also felt it was a safer bet to start watching the TV series instead of investing money in a film they could wait and stream later.
Additionally, The Flash had a troubled production, facing delays and production hurdles. The film was hyped for years, but the constant delays and challenges caused fans to lose interest and forget about it. Despite the statements of Warner Brothers Discovery’s CEO and James Gunn praising the movie, it ultimately fell short of being one of the best superhero movies. The sheer number of challenges the team faced is commendable, but the final product didn’t live up to the hype.
In conclusion, a combination of controversies surrounding Ezra Miller, the looming DCEU reboot, superhero fatigue, the existence of The Flash TV series, poor timing, and a troubled production all contributed to the film’s failure. The Flash couldn’t overcome these obstacles and failed to meet audience expectations.
