Grant Gustin's Absence in The Flash Movie: A Missed Opportunity

The Controversy Surrounding Gustin's Absence

Arrowverse star Grant Gustin has revealed that he was never contacted about having a DCEU cameo in The Flash movie. The absence of Gustin's Scarlet Speedster within the film has sparked significant discussions within the fan community and among critics. This absence is particularly noteworthy given the significance of 2023 for Barry Allen, with the Arrowverse TV show concluding its run after 184 episodes and the long-anticipated release of Ezra Miller's The Flash movie.

Grant Gustin as The Flash in final season poster, unmasked and looking over his shoulder.

The lack of Gustin's portrayal of The Flash in the film has raised questions about the decision-making process behind the movie's multiverse narrative. While The Flash movie explored various live-action properties across the multiverse, including different iterations of the titular character, the absence of Gustin's version has been a point of contention. Gustin himself expressed surprise at never being officially approached for the film, raising further speculation about the reasons behind this notable absence.

grant gustin in the flash season 1

The controversy surrounding Gustin's absence in The Flash movie has led to discussions about missed opportunities for the film's narrative and fan engagement. Fans of Gustin's portrayal of The Flash in the Arrowverse have expressed disappointment at the lack of crossover between the TV and movie iterations of the character, which could have enriched the multiverse storytelling and provided a unique opportunity for the DCEU to connect with its TV counterpart.

grant gustin in the flash season 2

Why Grant Gustin Was The Perfect Cameo For The Flash

The absence of Grant Gustin's version of The Flash in the film has been particularly contentious due to the missed opportunity it represents. The Flash movie, which focused on the multiverse and alternate versions of the titular character, could have greatly benefited from Gustin's cameo. The inclusion of Gustin's portrayal would have provided a unique opportunity for Miller's Flash to interact with an alternative version of himself from another world, thereby enriching the multiverse narrative and engaging fans of both the Arrowverse and the DCEU.

grant gustin as the flash on the cw

Furthermore, the Arrowverse's historical crossover event, Crisis on Infinite Earths, featured Ezra Miller's Barry Allen making a cameo appearance, establishing a significant connection between the TV and movie iterations of The Flash. This precedent led many to anticipate a similar crossover in The Flash movie, making Gustin's absence all the more surprising and disappointing for fans. The movie's focus on multiple cameos and alternate versions of the character further underscored the missed opportunity for Gustin's cameo, which could have added depth to the multiverse storytelling.

Grant Gustin at the end of The Flash

The Future of Gustin's Flash

Despite the absence of Gustin's portrayal in The Flash movie, fans remain hopeful for future opportunities for the Arrowverse's Scarlet Speedster. The longevity and popularity of Gustin's portrayal have positioned him as one of the most beloved live-action versions of a DC hero, prompting discussions about potential appearances in future multiverse narratives. Suggestions have been made for Gustin's Flash to feature in future stories within James Gunn's DC Universe, offering fans the possibility of seeing the Arrowverse's Scarlet Speedster in new and exciting contexts.

While the missed opportunity in The Flash movie continues to be a point of discussion, audiences can revisit Gustin's portrayal of The Flash through every season of the Arrowverse TV show as well as The Flash movie, providing an opportunity to appreciate the iconic character's journey across different mediums.