The Flash's Ezra Miller recently explained how the upcoming DC Universe epic functions as an origin story for protagonist Barry Allen.
Miller discussed Barry's arc in The Flash during a press interview that surfaced on Twitter. "It constitutes, I think, a very large and powerful arc," they said. "I think this is a story that precipitates a lot of change for Barry Allen in more ways than one. And I think it really carries him from being sort of the person we met in the Justice League films -- it takes him from that place of a young person who's come to his powers but doesn't quite know how to manifest them, who's joined a legion of superheroes but doesn't quite know his place in the context of it, and it takes him from there to really, in my mind, being Barry Allen, being the Flash. So, I think in some ways, it's an origin story and a coming into his own story. So, it's a big one -- a big arc for Barry, parentheses forward slash 'S,' end parentheses."
Miller's closing remark is a reference to The Flash featuring more than one incarnation of Barry Allen, thanks to the DCU blockbuster's central time travel plot mechanic. Miller portrays both the "regular" Barry and his younger self from an alternate timeline, the latter of whom will don a modified Batsuit at one point in the film. Photos of this makeshift crime-fighting costume are currently doing the rounds online, making it clear that it is indeed a repurposed costume belonging to Michael Keaton's Batman as previously reported.
The Flash Cast and Crew On Working With Ezra Miller
Producer Barbara Muschietti recently praised Miller's performance as both versions of Barry Allen, noting that the star's erratic off-set behavior didn't carry over to production on The Flash. "I have to say, during our shoot, during principal photography, their commitment to the role was something like we've never seen, and the discipline, the work, the willingness, physical, mental, and just wanting to go beyond the pale," she said. The film's director (and Muschietti's brother) Andy Muschietti echoed these sentiments, adding that he was also impressed by Miller's willingness to perform their own stunts.
Michael Shannon also went in to bat for Miller in a subsequent interview, describing his Flash co-star as "lovely" and "very kind" during their scenes together. The Zod actor added that he tends to give his fellow actors "a lot of slack" as many of them struggle with mental health concerns without the same level of privacy afforded to other people. "Any time somebody is out in the spotlight getting picked on, I feel for them. Even if it’s warranted, it’s still a horrible situation," Shannon said.
The Flash races into cinemas on June 16, 2023.
Source: Twitter