Grant Gustin was skyrocketed to fame when he took the role of Barry Allen on The CW’s The Flash. Since then, he has built a devoted fandom, delivering a confident, optimistic, and altruistic version of the superhero. However, after seeing the way he has held up the character for nine seasons, fans would find it surprising that the actor had doubts about being chosen to play the Fastest Man Alive.
In a new interview, the American actor shared his apprehension about being considered for the role of the popular superhero in a CW series. He openly admitted that his slender physique was a source of concern for him, as he believed that it might hinder his chances of being cast for the iconic character.
Grant Gustin was unsure about being cast as The Flash
Last week, Grant Gustin sat down with Men’s Health to talk about his exceptional journey in Hollywood. During the conversation, he opened up about the time he auditioned for his most famous role Barry Allen on The CW’s The Flash. The Glee alum revealed he was only 23 when he auditioned and had nothing in common with the character.
“I didn’t even want to go to the audition. I was like, ‘This is a waste of my time and their time.’ In the breakdown it said he was late twenties to early thirties.”
He recalled feeling uncertain about auditioning as the character in the comics was described as muscular and blonde. Gustin, on the other hand, had a slim build and suffered from imposter syndrome, believing that he would never be considered for the part.
According to him, playing a superhero was beyond his wildest dreams and he was amazed that he was ever given the opportunity.
The Arrow star has finally overcome his insecurity
Despite his skinny physique, Grant Gustin‘s portrayal of the titular hero not only became his legacy but has been widely regarded as the most comic-accurate and committed performance. The actor has dedicatedly worked on himself in the past few years and has shared pictures with his fans on social media showcasing his transformation.
In the same Men’s Health interview, he discussed neglecting his health in the past. He admitted to not managing his anxiety and stress well due to his work. However, when the pandemic started, he decided to focus on his mental and physical wellbeing.
“I started exercising a lot between seasons. I put on 20 pounds of muscle, just because I had time to work out. Since then, it’s been four years.”
After a long and illustrious career as a hero, he has now left behind his heroic deeds to pursue his passion for acting. He has landed a major role in a Broadway musical and is all set to make his big debut. He will be playing the character of Jacob Jankowski in the Tony-nominated musical adaptation of the bestselling novel, Water for Elephants. The musical is a sensational hit and has garnered rave reviews for its stunning performances and remarkable storyline.
The Flash series is available for streaming on Prime Video.
