Ezra Miller and WB's Brilliant Plan to Dominate The Flash Premiere Coverage

With the impending theatrical release of The Flash, Warner Bros. is facing a pressing question: where is Ezra Miller? Despite the film's high caliber, the studio has opted for an unconventional rollout, with minimal press tours and little publicity from Miller. This is a strategic move, aimed at shifting the focus away from the actor's troubled past and onto the movie itself. Miller has been embroiled in a series of controversies and legal issues since April 2022, including unlawful trespassing, public disturbances leading to an arrest in Hawaii, and a restraining order for harassing a minor. In response to the public discourse surrounding these incidents, the actor (who prefers they/them pronouns) has cited mental health struggles as the primary reason for their behavior. The future of The Flash has been questioned, with rumors of a potential recasting for sequels and other DC Universe films gaining traction. However, director Andy Muschietti has denied these rumors, stating that he believes no one can play the titular character as well as Miller.

A notable absence leading up to The Flash's premiere has been Miller's lack of public appearances. Despite the typical extensive press tour for a film with a $220 million budget, the actor has chosen to make only a low-key appearance at the Los Angeles premiere on June 12, opting to only pose for photos rather than participate in interviews with multiple news outlets. According to a source close to Miller, his focus is on the movie itself rather than personal publicity, stating "Ezra wants the movie to open and the conversation to be about the movie and not about Ezra." In a similar vein, co-stars Ben Affleck, Sascha Calle, and Michael Shannon will attend the premiere but will not participate in the press portion. Additional screenings of The Flash will be hosted by Warner Bros. in cities such as London, Miami, and Toronto, without the presence of Miller.

Sources familiar with the feature's history suggest that The Flash's unusual release is not due to Miller's past, but rather the studio's efforts to keep the ending a secret. The version screened at CinemaCon in April ended abruptly with significant portions of the final scenes removed. Similarly, this week's screening included the final scene, but key elements were blurred out. To compensate for the lack of press from the actors, the studio has been heavily promoting The Flash trailer during the NBA and NHL playoffs. Whether the studio's attempts to downplay the protagonist's actions will be enough to secure a top position at the box office remains to be seen. The Flash is projected to reach the $70 million mark in its opening weekend, surpassing 2018's Aquaman, which ultimately earned $1.5 billion worldwide.

The Flash will hit theaters on June 16, 2023.

Source: Variety