Justice League gave fans their first look at DC Comics' greatest and most powerful heroes joining together for the first time on the big screen, with new, unique perspectives of these iconic heroes. These new perspectives subsequently carried over into Zack Snyder's Justice League. Even the Flash was given a slightly different interpretation that raised questions among the fanbase. One of the liberties that Ezra Miller took to bring the hero to life involved a unique version of their running form that resembled more of a speed skater rather than a track star.
In an interview for the theatrical cut of Justice League, Miller explained some of their inspirations for why the Flash ran differently from the character's previous interpretations. Miller's preparation for the role began a whole two years before the film was released as they studied yoga and Wudang kung fu to get the movements and flexibility down for the character. Their research even led them to the Wudang Mountains of China, where the monks inspired some of the Flash's more meditative movements, like his stretches before the final battle.
When it came to the flow of the Flash's run, Miller turned to dancers and choreographers who helped them bring out the unique movements of the character. After all, Barry thinks and moves with the mind of someone who moves faster than the rest of the world. Miller's studies also brought them to nature and the animal kingdom to understand what moving at super-speed is akin to.
While looking into real-world inspirations that helped them to understand the concept of speed further, Miller stated: “I was also inspired by crows, cheetahs, mongooses and other fast-moving and intelligent creatures, as well as by rushing water and, of course, lightning.” Considering there are no animals that can think as fast as the Flash, these creatures' thoughts and their movements served as the next best thing and were exemplified in small moments. This was especially true when the Flash used his fast thinking to save Silas Stone and the other civilians.
Zack Snyder's Justice League also showed off the reasoning behind Miller's studies in rushing water and lightning. When it came to lightning, both cuts were able to show this off well by having Barry zip from one location to the next with some degree of unpredictability when seen by the naked eye. However, once the film slowed down, it became easier to see that Miller's movements were deliberate and even elegant, bringing in their studies of dance and kung fu.
Finally, the rushing water can be seen when Barry accesses the Speed Force for the first time and runs in a straight line. By turning time back, Barry brought forth a tidal wave of debris behind him resembling the inevitability of rushing water. On the surface, the Flash's running stance came across as unorthodox. Yet, Miller's research to try and bring the most realistic Flash to life uncovered a perspective of the character never considered in other interpretations: the personification of speed.
Zack Snyder's Justice League stars Ben Affleck as Batman, Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, Henry Cavill as Superman, Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Jason Momoa as Aquaman, Ezra Miller as The Flash, Ray Fisher as Cyborg, Jeremy Irons as Alfred Pennyworth, Diane Lane as Martha Kent, Ray Porter as Darkseid, Ciarán Hinds as Steppenwolf, Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor and J.K. Simmons as Commissioner Gordon. The film is currently available on HBO Max.