Despite the recent Ezra Miller fan altercation controversy, The Flash is still well on its way to cinemas in 2022 from It mastermind Andy Muschietti. The film made an exciting connection with the Arrowverse just earlier this year during the “Crisis on Infinite Earths” event, which saw Miller interact with Grant Gustin for the very first time. In the short interaction, it was clear they wanted to make Miller’s Barry Allen aware of the popular TV Flash, but his solo flick should do even more to acknowledge the show.
Regardless if someone loves or hates the CW series, some of its accomplishments should be recognized and even used as a soft blueprint for the upcoming DCEU film. That said, the movie should not take everything from the series.
10 TAKE: YELLOW LIGHTNING
The CW series wisely chose to stick with the source material with Flash's powers, especially the way they appear on the screen. The film should also adhere to the same principals, specifically the yellow lightning streaks that appear when he runs. In all of his appearances thus far, Ezra Miller's scarlet speedster has had blue lightning when using the speed force, which is actually pulled straight from Wally West.
Typically this color tends to exemplify the speedster is faster than the rest but Justice League makes it seem like he simply doesn't have a good grasp of his abilities yet. Therefore, it would only make sense he gains the new color of lightning that’s more comic accurate and visually appealing.
9 DON'T TAKE: TEAM FLASH
Although the CW series has faired well with Team Flash, the film should entirely negate the idea that Barry needs someone in his ear at all times. They already had the Flash working with a team in Justice League, and it's safe to say fans want to see him shine on his own on film.
That said, we aren't referring to the iconic Flash family legacy that is present in the comics, which includes heroes like Jay Garrick and Wally West. It would be ideal for the DCEU to eventually reach that point, however, it's imperative the first movie remains tightly focused on Barry Allen.
8 TAKE: FLASH TIME
Flash Time is an ability possessed by users of the Speed Force that allows them to pause time for themselves and those they choose to interact with. It’s a neat gimmick that’s used sparingly throughout the series, one that could be especially effective on the big screen with higher quality visual effects.
The most important aspect of this superpower is the fact it's only used for specific situations for maximum, emotional effect. If the upcoming Flash film borrows this, it should only employ it sparingly.
7 DON'T TAKE: JOE WEST
As an original creation for the series, Joe West has won over the hearts of DC fans as Barry Allen's lovable father figure. However, it would be an injustice to the show if the film tries to emulate the success they've had with the character.
Justice League did the leg work by highlighting Barry’s relationship with his father, so it would make sense that the solo flick focuses on that dynamic. Once again, Joe West is a fan-favorite character and it’s not unusual for different mediums to borrow aspects from other adaptations, but it’s clear he shines brightest in the series.
6 TAKE: S.T.A.R. LABS
Despite S.T.A.R. Labs having a major presence in the show, the iconic institution isn’t a household pairing with the Flash when it comes to the comics. That being said, due to its inherent connection to the rest of the DC universe, it should be present in the film. It doesn’t necessarily need to act as the Flash’s headquarters, but it would be a completely justifiable addition for this Scarlet Speedster in particular.
In fact, S.T.A.R. Labs plays a brief but important role in Justice League, so it’s not a stretch whatsoever that it can be included in the solo film.
5 DON'T TAKE: PARTICLE ACCELERATOR ORIGIN
In the CW series, Barry Allen gains his superspeed abilities thanks to the S.T.A.R. Labs particle accelerator explosion. Although it allows for the story to include a brilliant Reverse-Flash twist, this is an entirely original concept from the show when compared to the comics. In the source material, Barry gets his powers when struck by a simple bolt of lighting that infused him with the speed force.
In order to separate itself from the TV series, it would be ideal if the film disregards the show's changes to The Flash's origin.
4 TAKE: PERSONIFICATION OF SPEED FORCE
The Speed Force is typically portrayed as a pretty abstract idea in the comics and most subsequent adaptations. However, the CW series has attempted to personify it using several characters from the series, mainly those directly related to Barry, such as his mother. It works surprisingly well, especially for Barry's character development by providing more depth to his connection to the Speed Force.
The film doesn't have to copy it exactly but the series accomplished something important when it comes to the Speed Force.
3 DON'T TAKE: HARRISON WELLS
Similar to Joe West, Harrison Wells is an original creation from the show. Starting as Eobard Thawne in disguise, Wells has become a welcomed addition to the Flash lore; however, given how each season introduces an alternate version of him, he may have overstayed his welcome.
The character is admittedly fun and unique, with Tom Cavanagh playing him brilliantly each time. But he really has no place outside of the series, and there’s no need for the film to blatantly borrow such a specific aspect of the show.
2 TAKE: FREQUENT EARTH-HOPPING
One could argue that the Arrowverse has put more of an emphasis on the DC multiverse than the comics themselves, at least recently. In every CW superhero series, especially in The Flash, the characters travel to different Earths all the time. Although “Crisis” has rectified this situation by meshing all of the important ones together, there is an opportunity to move this tradition onto the big screen, especially after Miller’s cameo scene.
If any superhero in the DCEU should have the privilege to travel to other universes, it should certainly be the Flash.
1 DON'T TAKE: CISCO AKA VIBE
Nothing against Cisco, as he is quite likable. However, his purpose in the show is to often act as the super nerd of Team Flash, one that Barry Allen shouldn’t have to need in the movie. Although the TV show has created arguably the best version of Vibe in any medium, he might not “vibe” well with Miller’s Flash.
Cisco's dynamic with Grant Gustin is entertaining, but it’s a relationship best reserved for a series with a Barry Allen that needs a team smarter than him to assist his superhero endeavors.