When "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" opens in theaters this week, fans may be surprised to find Ezra Miller instead of Grant Gustin portraying Barry Allen aka The Flash. Director Zack Snyder reveals in an interview with the New York Daily News why this casting decision was made.
"I just don't think it was a good fit," the director explained. "I'm very strict with this universe and I just don't see a version where...that [tone is] not our world."
This comes as no surprise given how dark the DCEU films are. "Man of Steel" saw the destruction of Metropolis and several brutal battles while "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" is so dark in tone that it initially had an R rating before being trimmed down to PG-13.
DC's "The Flash" solo film, again starring Ezra Miller, and "Shazam" are slated to have a slightly lighter tone than "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" but will still be aesthetically similar to enforce the concept that they exist in the same world. Even the upcoming "Suicide Squad" portrays some level of humor but is considered by many as a dark and violent tale.
Grant Gustin's portrayal of The Flash in The CW's "The Flash" television series is a far cry from the dark tone of the films, but as the report points out, it doesn't necessarily mean that Gustin's version doesn't exist. This is possible because the DCEU embraces the idea of the multi-verse, where several versions can exist in different realities.
While a crossover of the film and television universes is unlikely, the potential has been tapped several times already. "The Flash" television show has dabbled in interdimensional travel with the characters traveling to Earth-2, and next week, The Flash will be transported to the universe of CBS' "Supergirl" series.
"Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" opens in theaters this March 25 while the solo "The Flash" movie is scheduled to release by March 16, 2018.
