James Gunn Addresses Barry Allen Or Wally West As The Flash In The DCU & Makes Grant Gustin’s Return More Likely
The Flash gets a new update for the DC Universe, as the franchise’s creator teases who could be the main version of the hero in it. The Flash was played by Ezra Miller in the DCEU movie franchise. However, that version of Barry Allen never turned into a fan-favorite, which was spotlighted when 2023’s The Flash movie became a box office bomb.
Since then, James Gunn’s DC Universe has done away with the old DCEU, though no versions of the Flash have appeared in the new franchise. Fans have been constantly asking for Grant Gustin, who played Barry in nine seasons of The Flash, the Arrowverse’s most popular series, to return as the speedster in the DCU. After an update, I believe that is possible.
James Gunn Has Addressed Who His Favorite Flash Is
DC’s Wally West aka the Flash.
With no projects for The Flash on the DCU’s slate of releases, there have been little to no updates regarding the character’s future in the franchise. Previously, Gunn had confirmed that DC was taking a beat on development for The Flash. Now, the director was directly asked about which version of the Scarlet Speedster is his favorite.
At the Supergirl movie trailer premiere event, Younis Alzubeiri asked James Gunn about which version of The Flash he liked the most, saying, “In terms of your preference for people that run fast… Do you like them blonde or as redheads?” While no names were said, the question was clearly pointed at Barry Allen, who is blonde, and Wally West, who is a redhead.
Gunn laughed and avoided directly answering the question about the two most popular versions of The Flash, saying, “I like them both. I like blondes and redheads.” Gunn’s answer could lead to something that works well to both distance the DCU from the DCEU and also offer a beloved actor a possible return.
The New DC Universe Could Make The Best Flash Choice Possible
Grant Gustin in The Flash
Gunn’s comments open the door for both Wally West and Barry Allen to appear as concurrent versions of The Flash in the DCU. It would be easy for the DCU to simply remove Barry altogether and move on to Wally, as it would distance the franchise from Ezra Miller’s The Flash movie and its disappointing performance. However, that is the least exciting choice.
With there being at least three confirmed human Green Lanterns in the DCU — Hal Jordan, John Stewart, and Guy Gardner — Gunn has shown that multiple characters holding the same superhero title in the franchise is not a problem. By having Barry be Wally’s mentor, similar to the dynamic Hal and John will have in Lanterns, DC could make the two heroes work.
Including both Barry and Wally in the DCU also keeps the door open for those hoping Grant Gustin will return as The Flash. After having played the most popular live-action Barry Allen for a decade, it would be impossible to see Gustin come back as Wally in the DCU. However, if both versions of The Flash appear, then that dream remains achievable.
Created by
Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson
Cast
Henry Cavill, Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Ezra Miller, Ray Fisher, Jason Momoa, Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg, Laurence Fishburne, Jeremy Irons, Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie, Joel Kinnaman, Viola Davis, Jai Courtney, Jay Hernandez, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Cara Delevingne, Chris Pine, Robin Wright, Zachary Levi, Dwayne Johnson, Amber Heard, Patrick Wilson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Mark Strong, Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer, Djimon Hounsou, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jurnee Smollett, Rosie Perez, Ella Jay Basco, Ali Wong, Ewan McGregor, Idris Elba, John Cena, Michael Keaton, George Clooney, Xolo Mariduena
Movie(s)
Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Suicide Squad, Wonder Woman, Justice League, Aquaman, Shazam!, Birds of Prey, Wonder Woman 1984, Zack Snyder’s Justice League, The Suicide Squad, Black Adam, Shazam! The Fury of the Gods, The Flash, Blue Beetle, Superman, The Brave and the Bold
Character(s)
Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, The Flash, Cyborg, Harley Quinn, The Joker, Shazam, Darkseid, Amanda Waller, Lex Luthor, Doomsday, Deadshot, Deathstroke, Black Canary, Black Adam
