Ezra Miller Won't Be Replaced in Future 'The Flash' Sequels

One of the biggest questions surrounding DC's upcoming film The Flash has been whether it would see the light of day at all. Although it earned positive early reviews and is set to hit theaters in just a few weeks, the film has been mired in controversy due to erratic off-screen behavior by star Ezra Miller. Despite the serious issues, however, the film's director is sticking by the actor.

Andy Muschietti, who directed the film, recently appeared on an unreleased episode of The Discourse podcast, where he said he plans to cast Miller in any future sequel if one is green lit. 

“If [a sequel] happens, yes,” he said. “I don’t think there’s anyone that can play that character as well as they did. The other depictions of the character are great, but this particular vision of the character, they just excelled in doing it. And, as you said, the two Barrys, it feels like a character that was made for them.”

Muschietti’s sister Barbara, who also appeared on the podcast, echoed the same sentiment. “Ezra was brilliant and the most committed and the most professional [actor]," she said. "Ezra gave everything for this role, physically, creatively, emotionally. They were absolutely supreme.”

Miller announced they were entering treatment for "complex mental health issues" last year, and hasn't been involved in promoting the film. Over the past 18 months, they've been embroiled in a series of arrests and controversies.

They pled guilty to an unlawful trespassing charge in Vermont back in January, avoiding jail time on a burglary case. Last year, they pled no contest to a disorderly conduct charge in Hawaii after getting into a fight at a karaoke bar. That April, Miller was arrested on a second-degree assault charge after allegedly striking a woman in the forehead with a thrown chair. In June, a pair of parents from South Dakota accused Miller of "manipulating and controlling" their daughter, although she later shared a statement downplaying the allegations.

The film is set to hit theaters on June 15. No decision has been made about a sequel yet. A recent Hollywood Reporter article indicated that current box office tracking is predicting a soft $70 million opening.