‘The Flash’ was never going to be derailed by Ezra Miller’s arrests, says producer

“The Flash” always hit theaters with Ezra Miller in the lead, regardless of the actor’s problematic behavior, according to the film team.

Director Andy Muschietti and his sister, producer Barbara Muschietti, have confirmed Entertainment Weekly that Warner Bros. Discovery “never” balked at theatrically launching the DCU superhero installment, despite conflicting reports in August 2022 after abuse allegations against Miller became public.

“Not at all. No. It was never real,” Barbara Muschietti said of the film which may have been shelved.

Miller, who identifies as non-binary and uses them/them pronouns, has been arrested multiple times for assault and trespassing, with further charges of soliciting multiple underage individuals. Miller issued a statement of apology last summer and announced they were seeking mental health treatment.

Director Andy Muschietti addressed Miller’s ongoing treatment, saying, “We have a lot of empathy in general for people who need help, and especially mental health issues. That’s why they’re taking the necessary steps to address their recovery and we’re supporting them in that.”

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Andy Muschietti recently stated that if a sequel to ‘The Flash’ is greenlit, Miller will continue to play the central superhero.

“If it happens (a sequel), yeah,” Muschietti said during “The Discourse” podcast (via The Playlist). “I don’t think there’s anyone who can play that character as well as they do. The other portrayals of the character are great, but this particular take on the character, they just excelled at it.

Warner Bros.’ DC Studios co-head Peter Safran stood by Miller and shared in January 2023 that Miller was “completely committed to their recovery” and that the studio was “wholly supportive of that journey” as “The Flash” was preparing for its theatrical release.

“When the time is right, when they feel ready for discussion, we will all figure out what the best path forward is,” Safran said. “Right now, they are fully focused on their recovery. In our conversations with them over the past couple of months, they seem to be making tremendous progress.”

Co-studio head James Gunn added at the time during a DC press event that while canned ‘The Flash’ rumors circulated, “I also feel it’s important to point out that thousands of people worked on ‘The Flash’ and these people have dedicated the last few years of their lives to making something really special.Andy Muschietti, the director, Barbara Muschietti, the producer, Christina (Hodson), the writer, Michael Keaton, all the other people, all these other people, and starting to shoot as if a film were a person who depends on this person is something that can be frustrating as a director, especially as a director who knows that often an actor spends three months of his life on a set and a director takes two years to create it.

“The Flash” hits theaters June 16 from Warner Bros.