The Ultimate Faceoff: Grant Gustin & Ezra Miller Shatter Superhero Costume Norms with Mind-Blowing Side-by-Side Video

Summary

The Flash TV show and movie both have a flaw in their costumes - the use of CGI cowls - as highlighted in a side-by-side video comparison.

CGI is utilized on the cowls to enhance convenience for the actors and portray the progressive advancements of superhero attire. Yet, if the CGI fails to achieve a visually appealing effect, it can detract from the iconic or symbolic nature of the suit and compromise the rationale behind its inclusion in the story.

The Flash TV show and The Flash movie, starring Grant Gustin and Ezra Miller, have a major flaw in their costumes, as highlighted in a new DC side-by-side video. The year 2023 has become significant in the live-action history of The Flash, with both the DCEU and the Arrowverse playing a major role. The Flash series concluded in May, followed closely by the release of the DCEU movie, giving Barry Allen his first solo film right after the Arrowverse Flash's long-running show.

Even after their time as the Scarlet Speedster has ended, Gustin and Miller's versions of The Flash continue to be compared. Despite their many differences, a side-by-side video by Heroes Unbound reveals a shared flaw in their suits: the utilization of CGI cowls.

Both Gustin and Miller donned physical cowls as the famous DC speedster, but in certain instances, CGI was used to manipulate their disguises in the TV show and movie. In Season 7 of The Flash, Gustin's character suddenly sported a CGI cowl without any explanation, leaving it as one of the many unanswered questions of the season.

Why So Many Superhero Costumes Are Altered With CGI

Hollywood's increased use of CGI in superhero costumes is exemplified by The Flash. Studios often alternate between VFX and practical cowls for The Flash, primarily for the actor's comfort. Superhero suits can be uncomfortable, particularly masks and cowls, which pose a challenge for roles involving extensive emoting.

In The Flash's first season, Grant Gustin shared that the cowl had to be redesigned midway due to the original version, which had to be glued to his face, causing severe migraines. The implementation of CGI for cowls in both Gustin and Miller's heroes is also intended to showcase the evolution of superhero costumes, highlighting the improvement in upgrades over time. However, if the CGI appears unconvincing during the removal or application of the cowls, the story's purpose becomes redundant, as the suit would appear jarring rather than iconic or symbolic.

The new DC Universe's approach to The Flash and the costumes of speedsters has generated much interest, particularly in light of previous portrayals in the Arrowverse series and DCEU film. Whether a new actor is cast as Barry or if Wally West assumes the mantle, it is unlikely that the role will remain absent from live-action for an extended period. In the meantime, fans can revisit The Flash TV show and The Flash movie on Blu-Ray/DVD or through streaming platforms like Netflix and Max.