The Flash: Warner Bros. options explored as Ezra Miller’s issues take center stage

Warner Bros. has found themselves in a bit of a pickle in regards to their potential upcoming blockbuster, The Flash. The film serves up the return of Michael Keaton’s Batman and, per Variety, early test screenings have been through the roof. All signs point to success but there is a mounting issue that can’t be ignored and that’s star, Ezra Miller. Their recent legal troubles have sparked rumors that they might be replaced but Warner Bros. doesn’t really have that option unless they want to take a major loss.

Since March, Miller has been arrested or taken into custody several times for harassment, disorderly conduct, and a traffic violation. You can read Variety’s exhaustive breakdown of the incidents here, but the whispers that have now become roars are that there is something seriously wrong with Miller’s own mental health and they need help. What is Warner Bros. to do when the star of their $200 million film has become so problematic?

Despite all of their issues, the studio will probably move ahead with Miller unless something so bad happens that there is simply no coming back from it. Variety points to the very limited options Warner Bros. has in regards to The Flash and weighs their pros and cons. As they report, scrapping the finished film, which wrapped shooting in 2021, is not an option. The movie cost too much to make and Warner Bros. does not want to take a loss like that. An HBO Max-exclusive release also seems very unlikely.

But what about replacing Miller? According to sources talking to Variety, it’s virtually impossible to replace Miller in the finished film because they are in just about every scene. The studio would have to reshoot the entire movie to get this done.

There is also the option to replace Miller as The Flash after the release of the first film next year. I’m sure there would need to be some discussions about Miller’s contract but if Warner Bros. wants to cut their losses with Miller, should they not get their life together, this could be an option worth looking into. Dylan O’Brien was a rumored name that some thought could be up for the job as a replacement but it turned out to be an internet rumor that got out of hand. The upside about pushing the release date into 2023 is that Warner Bros. has a chance to get ahead of this and give Miller the time to get the help they need before having to promote the megablockbuster. Even if they don’t keep them, the new date is far enough down the road that Warner Bros. has time to figure out the best way to move forward.

What options do YOU think Warner Bros. has with Ezra Miller in regards to The Flash? The DC release is expected to hit screens on June 23, 2023.