One thing is for certain and two things are for sure: there are plenty of DC Comics fans waiting impatiently to see how The Flash will return for James Gunn and the DCU, and who will take on the role. With DC Studios having moved past Zack Snyder and the Snyderverse, the chances of Ezra Miller reprising the role in Gunn’s vision is absolute zero — leaving the door wide open for a new face to show itself.
But anyone who knows anything about The Flash knows the mantle isn’t exclusive to Barry Allen, as so many newcomers assume, based upon the majority of the arc in CW’s The Flash series. One of the most legendary, and some would argue the definitive Speedster in red, is Wally West, the redheaded blur; and it begs the question of which Gunn would introduce to his DCU.
During a special screening of the Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow trailer, Gunn was posed the question, in a way, by Instagram influencer Younis Alzubeiri, and his answer was perfectly on-brand for the king of misdirection.
“I like them both. I like Blondes and Redhead”.
In other words, keep guessing, folks. Gunn, as usual, has no interest whatsoever in tipping his hand regarding The Flash, or in any measure, to be honest. The intrigue will continue going forward, though there is a chance that news lands soon on that particular member of the Justice League, and it honestly wouldn’t be difficult for whoever signs on as Barry Allen or Wally West to pass the low bar set by Miller.
James Gunn Might Make His Decision In a Flash
Grant Gustin as The Flash CW-1Image via The CW
It truly was a disappointing ending (controversial, to say the least) to a portrayal by Miller that had a promising start, things going far differently in the cinematic version of the character than on the small screen where Grant Gustin dominated. There has long been a call for Gustin to reprise the role at the box office but, to this point, there’s not been much, if any, traction toward that potentiality, though Gunn did make it clear, in 2024, that there’s at least an avenue for Gustin to possibly return to the role — that avenue being Gunn literally confessing to having an eye on him.
“Grant is an incredibly talented guy, performing now on Broadway, I believe, and is absolutely not going to waste just because he’s not currently in a DC project. But, of course, I’d love to work with him at some point.”
And, with that, the possible answer to the question might’ve been staring everyone in the face for roughly 20 months (Gunn posted that comment on Threads in March 2024, The obvious thought would be Gustin as Barry Allen, a character he’s absolutely owned in the past, a huge reason The CW series is viewed as a classic one, by any standard. Gunn refuses to drop any hints about his thought process, though, so speculate to your heart’s desire.
The Flash television series is currently streaming on Netflix.
Release Date
2014 – 2023-00-00
Showrunner
Eric Wallace
Directors
Stefan Pleszczynski, David McWhirter, Dermott Downs, Alexandra La Roche, Ralph Hemecker, Phil Chipera, Rachel Talalay, Marcus Stokes, Chris Peppe, Danielle Panabaker, Menhaj Huda, Jesse Warn, Glen Winter, Gregory Smith, Chad Lowe, Jeffrey W. Byrd, Rob Hardy, Tom Cavanagh, Kevin Tancharoen, Millicent Shelton, Vanessa Parise, Kevin Smith, Brent Crowell, Eric Dean Seaton
Writers
Lauren Certo, Judalina Neira, Kelly Wheeler, Alison Schapker, Zack Stentz, Joe Peracchio, Julian Meiojas, Lilah Vandenburgh, Keto Shimizu, Gabe Snyder, Mike Alber, Gabrielle Stanton, Jaime Paglia, Carina Adly MacKenzie, Emily Silver, Bryan Q. Miller, Ray Utarnachitt
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Grant Gustin
Barry Allen / The Flash
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Danielle Panabaker
Khione
