“I said I’d only do it if I recast”: Matthew Vaughn Refused The Flash Over 1 Demand That James Gunn’s DCU Couldn’t Accommodate

Matthew Vaughn's condition was demanding recast, and his rejection of The Flash collides with James Gunn's vision for the DC Universe.

“I said I’d only do it if I recast” Matthew Vaughn Refused The Flash Over 1 Demand That James Gunn’s DCU Couldn’t Accommodate

SUMMARY

  • The Flash faced production challenges, including director changes and legal issues with Ezra Miller.
  • Matthew Vaughn's potential involvement hinged on a condition, possibly related to casting or creative control.
  • Ezra Miller's future in the DC Universe remains uncertain amidst controversies and The Flash's reception.
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Matthew Vaughn’s possible participation in The Flash hit a snag due to a specific demand: the selection of the Scarlet Speedster’s actor. The 52-year-old’s preference diverged from Ezra Miller for the pivotal role. This unveiling illuminates the complexities inherent in filmmaking, particularly the significance of casting choices.

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Matthew Vaughn
Matthew Vaughn

Furthermore, it accentuates the hurdles encountered by filmmakers when traversing the intricate terrain of interconnected cinematic worlds.

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Matthew Vaughn Might Have Joined The Flash With One Condition Fulfilled

The Flash hit theaters in June 2023, marking Ezra Miller’s swan song as Barry Allen in the DCEU. The whole saga started in 2014 when Miller landed the role for Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice.

Matthew Vaughn
Matthew Vaughn and Ezra Miller’s The Flash

The plan was for The Flash to be the DCEU reset, thanks to James Gunn and Peter Safran’s vision, but things shook up after the movie dropped.

Getting The Flash to cinemas wasn’t a cakewalk, though. Legal issues with Miller and a revolving door of directors, including Phil Lord, Chris Miller, Seth Grahame-Smith, Rick Famuyiwa, and John Francis Daley, stalled the project.

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Eventually, Andy Muschietti, known for adapting Stephen King’s It, took charge, finally putting The Flash on the tracks. Miller took the reins as two Barry Allens, joined by Kiersey Clemons reprising Iris West and Sasha Calle stepping in as Supergirl instead of Henry Cavill’s Superman.

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Now, the plot thickens, with Matthew Vaughn’s potential involvement hanging in the balance, dependent on one crucial condition. Vaughn wanted something, maybe a say in casting or creative direction that didn’t align with James Gunn’s DCU.

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In a recent Brobible interview, Vaughn spilled the beans, stating,

“I was asked about doing The Flash way back, but I said I’d only do it if I could recast — if I’m directing my own superhero film, I want my own, new superhero.”

His maybe-collaboration hinted at a jolt of fresh vibes into the DC Extended Universe. But now, with the DCEU hitting the reboot button, there’s a big unknown: what’s next for the 31-year-old?

Is Ezra Miller’s DC Universe Future Secure?

Andy Muschietti
Ezra Miller as Barry Allen in The Flash

The burning question: What’s next for Ezra Miller in the DC Universe? The recent buzz around the DCEU, especially with The Flash wrapping up Miller’s standalone journey, leaves fans wondering. So, where does Miller stand now? 

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The Flash came and went, but it didn’t quite hit the mark at the box office. Was it just superhero fatigue or public sentiment towards Miller? Warner Bros. faced hurdles with The Flash, notably due to Miller’s controversies.

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These controversies contributed to the movie’s lukewarm reception among fans. The DC Extended Universe has had its ups and downs since Man of Steel hit the screens in 2013.

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Criticism mounted with darker themes in Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice, often compared unfavorably to Marvel’s lighter tone. Diminishing box office returns signaled trouble, despite some well-received films.

The Miller controversy further dampened enthusiasm, with some distancing themselves from The Flash due to Miller’s legal issues.

The casting shadow over the project, coupled with nostalgia for Michael Keaton’s Batman, failed to rally fans. Reportedly, recasting Miller could be a fresh start for the DCU, shedding past controversies and steering towards a brighter future.

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Written by Muskan Chaudhary

Articles Published: 694

Muskan Chaudhary, Junior Content Writer at Fandom wire. Having completed her degree in Commerce, she has written over 500 articles spanning FandomWire and Animated Times in the pop culture. She is dedicated to bring the latest and informative content from the entertainment world, thus expanding her knowledge in the field. Apart from her contributions to FandamWire, she has a keen interest in video games, sketching and playing tennis.