The Flash

CastorTroy

Would have to be Tom Holland.

Sad Professor

Shocking example of career suicide. They could do reshoots to increase Keaton's role (the main reason most viewers are interested in this anyway) and make Batman the focus of the marketing while reducing Miller's role to a minimum.

pixelburp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119214710#Comment_119214710

Problem with that is, AFAIK, the whole story centres around The Flash messing with the timeline. I believe it's a tweak of the Flashpoint story from the comics, where Flash tries to go back in time to prevent his mum's murder. So the whole emotional pivot of the story/film hangs around Barry Allen's actions. It'll be very hard to reduce that to a minimum without it being a total mess.

Either WB release the thing as is, and hope Miller's increasingly public problems don't damage it too much (and with that, there's the option of HBO Max and a rejig of projections), or they recast and reshoot. Made more difficult by the fact that in the trailer, we see TWO Barry Allens! That work alone would explode the budget and make it a loss-maker, no matter what they do IMO.

The White Wolf

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119213597#Comment_119213597

I can see it working.

Batman: You've destroyed the multiverse Flash!

Flash: Well whoop de **** do

/The end

Sad Professor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119214807#Comment_119214807

The two Barry Allens might be an opportunity for them to recast though. Is the other Barry Allen from another universe like Keaton's Batman? If so who is to say he looks like Ezra Miller... as you said it would still be very expensive and messy, but expensive and messy seems to be par for the course with the DCEU.

If that's not option I guess they can just dump it on one of the streaming platform as you suggested above. I think there's audience for the return of Keaton's Batman regardless of Miller.

The White Wolf

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119215315#Comment_119215315

I think the two Barrys is the actual killer here as it just makes any other route so much harder to take.

Best case scenario is they cut it to 90 mins and put it on HBO MAX, while using some Tig Nataro type chicanery in Snyder's zombie film to maybe get away with some digital replacements. Sasha Calle and Keaton are the leads, with a new actor being shown in edits that won't include all 3. It would still be a mess but the least of all options. There is no good option at this point.

Penn

I'd say considering it's a Flash film, pretty much all scenes revolve around Flash to a significant enough degree that trying to do anything with it would just be impossible. The movie is centered on his character, his character's actions, the main villian is probably connected to Flash. There are likely very few scenes where he isn't there or part of the conversation. Reshooting with another actor will either be really crappy CGI and green screen, or they literally reshoot most of the movie with the other actors too. People mention Tig Notaro, but she was a fairly background supporting character, and Snyder's filmstyle for that film meant a lot of things were purposefully very out of focus or soft focus. Trying to replace Miller with someone else (especially given that Miller is playing two versions of the character) would be insane.

I think they might just release it on streaming and not have any promotional tour or anything. Just release it, accept it as less of a loss considering how much reshoots, CGI etc would cost to do anything else (and if anything, they could save a bit of money from marketing/promotional costs), and move on. They're already multiversing, just recast Flash for any future stuff going forward.

pixelburp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119215558#Comment_119215558

I don't think it was confirmed but if the film's following the comics then the villain would be The Reverse Flash, given IIRC he was the one who offed Barry's mum.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119215315#Comment_119215315

Mind you, in all this chatter we're assuming the studio wants to do a good job; it's not entirely beyond consideration they recast Barry Allen, do a very hasty green screen replacement of anything with Ezra Miller, and in 12 months we'll be guffawing at the awful hack job. Cue a #releasethemillercut on social media 🤡

The White Wolf

Just to say as well poor Andy Muschietti, what a disaster for him as he clearly showed enough passion to finally get this off the ground. Looks like his hard work will be for nowt.

Penn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119215623#Comment_119215623

Yeah I can't remember hearing who the villian is so I just assumed it would likely be Reverse Flash, or that RF is somehow involved or set up for a future appearance.

johnny_ultimate

For what it's worth, here's some actual reporting on the behind the scenes situation - albeit published before the latest round of scandals (note the 'barring unforeseen circumstances' caveats).

https://variety.com/2022/film/news/ezra-miller-the-flash-1235277665/

One notable factor is executives and test audiences actually quite like the film!

I would agree with one point in the article though: Ezra Miller is not exactly a household name in the same way as other superhero stars, so pushing ahead under the assumption most audiences will not have heard about the scandals is a very real possibility.

pixelburp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119215652#Comment_119215652

I had meant to say same; there was such a rotating-door of directors on this project I had got to a point I genuinely assumed it'd never happen. To be the man to get the nod, to get a handle on the project - only to be potentially snatched away by your lead star? Ouch.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119215714#Comment_119215714

For sure, but the accusation of grooming (pre)teens could be the kind of controversy that moved the needle of publicity into mainstream territory.

The White Wolf

I read that the film was testing well alright before things really hit the fan. Maybe that's why WB are holding off as much they can in faint hope that Ezra might be able to exonerate himself, but by running away he really has shot any hope of it.

Agent Coulson

if it is edited or reshot how long will it take for the fanboy outrage to appear online for the EzraCut to be released.

The White Wolf

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119216120#Comment_119216120

To be fair I don't think even the Snyder Bros will defend this.

I was always fair to Snyder but holy crap has his casting choices blown up.

FunLover18

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119216182#Comment_119216182

If Miller had not come out as non binary, you might get some of the usual types latching onto the alleged victims recent statements but instead I've now seen some use Miller as a weapon and some sort of gotcha moment against GR.

Penn

Another issue is that the film isn't actually due out for another year. Given everything that's happened in the past year, what more will happen with them in the next year? It really seems doubtful they'll be able to stay out of trouble until then unless there's a significant type of intervention or psychological help given.

~Rebel~

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119216331#Comment_119216331

I think this might actually be the saving grace - they have a year for things to die down. Use whatever contractual obligations they have to reign Miller in in some way, and spend the money to get their family and friends around, provide help etc, so that 6 to 9 months from now it's more of a story that's come and gone with Miller out the other side of it. Like, Ezra clearly needs a bit of help anyway, and this is a huge selfish motivation for the studio to do an otherwise selfless act.

Feels like it's a lot cheaper to reform Miller's mental health/reputation over the course of a year than it is to reshoot a movie that is otherwise apparently quite decent.

pixelburp

Deadline are reporting that the general thinking and hope is that all the Miller stuff will just stay low level enough not to make the cinema releaser toxic. Also sounds like the studio already tried getting Miller some professional help:

https://deadline.com/2022/06/ezra-miller-the-flash-fate-warner-bros-discovery-david-zaslav-1235048001/

dublinman1990

A new prequel comic book has been leaked ahead of the release of The Flash movie to show some upgrades to Ben Affleck's Batman suit. Apparently it could be an armoured suit again for Affleck's version of Batman which could be like BvS.

https://thedirect.com/article/flash-ben-affleck-batman-movie-look

There is also some unsettling news about the cover of this new comic book. It's been reported in the article above that the cover showed Miller's version of The Flash initially appearing in the buff while he was having trouble putting on his suit.

Obviously in light of the allegations that have been made against Miller over the past week; the cover is not being released by WB at all.

Sweet Jesus WBD/DC! You had to be awkward at the wrong time. Didn't You.

pixelburp

More Miller Mess; though seems more like a situation where they're involved in a domestic dispute (putting it mildly), rather than an issue of grooming or abuse by Miller themselves;

https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-news/ezra-miller-young-children-vermont-farm-1372295/

Two sources with knowledge of the situation expressed concern to Rolling Stone that it is an unsafe environment for children, alleging there are unattended guns strewn around the home on Miller’s 96-acre property. One source, who, like the other, requested anonymity for fear of retribution, recalled an instance where one of the children — a one-year-old — allegedly picked up a loose bullet and put it in her mouth.

But the mother who, like the father, Rolling Stone is not naming, claims that Miller had helped her escape from a “violent and abusive ex,” and Miller “helped me finally … have a safe environment for my three very young children.” “[Ezra’s] home ranch has been a healing haven for us,” she tells Rolling Stone. “They may have firearms for self-defense purposes and they are stored in a part of the house that the children never go in… My kids are able to relax more into their healing because of the safety and nurturing Ezra has been providing for them.”

Now, if this is true, Miller's a saint in this instance, sheltering a vulnerable mother and her children - and one has to wonder if the media are now looking for something, anything to report about them that's vaguely newsworthy.

As an aside: Miller has a 96 acre property! To be that wealthy, eh?

silverharp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119242422#Comment_119242422

Miller doesnt come across as a good guy, he seems manipulative and toxic and not motivated by altruism, you would also question the mother's smarts thinking that Miller is an individual worth entrusting her kids to, she sounds like a hippy dippy chick. Would probably make a good Jeremy Kyle episode.

Agent Coulson

Erza Miller has been arrested charged with Felony Burglary in Vermont

https://variety.com/2022/film/news/ezra-miller-burglary-the-flash-vermont-1235336304/amp/

pixelburp

Jaysus.

I wouldn't mind but they're not even that famous; you expect this kind of behaviour from the Old School Mega-stars, not someone relatively unknown.

FunLover18

Variety reported yesterday that the movie was too expensive to pull a Batgirl. It's gonna be a PR nightmare.

pjohnson

They must plan on just tanking the DCEU. No way was Batgirl gunna be worse than this will be.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/the-flash-fate-ezra-miller-problem-worsens-warners-1235196919/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

Damage control for the release is being planned now. They've got 3 options, two of which will limit his involvement in promotion and the last of which is scrapping the movie entirely.

Bizarrely they've been engaging in reshoots with him in the midst of all this.

https://twitter.com/Hello_Tailor/status/1557514484515803136?t=s0IVtc-ZBnEyiibWoHDAxg&s=19

pixelburp

At this stage, hiding Miller in a cupboard might be the simplest, while they get Andrés Muschietti, Michael Keaton and Sasha Calle to do the promotional chatter.

Actually, maybe not Calle; there might be awkward questions about her solo movie suddenly disappearing into the ether.

Brief_Lives

the whole thing now, is bizarre....

(2 zeds in bizzarre, bizarre?)

https://twitter.com/Variety/status/1559372628686622720?t=x5t-4cZLMeoVthCaaQVabQ&s=19

Reads somewhat like he's in damage control mode now for both the studio and himself.

pixelburp

Man, you'd wanna suspect the studio, or those representing it, sat Miller down and gave them a good bollícking to ship up or be blackballed by the studio. I would hope the words and intent are genuine though, 'cos the behaviour has been fairly appalling.

Brief_Lives

i hope he can cop the fcuk on....

Agent Coulson

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119459145#Comment_119459145

So now we know which of the 3 options they went for.

Try and rehabilitate

pjcb

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119479407#Comment_119479407

facing jail time....?

Agent Coulson

Looks like he is paying off all his victims and getting them to sign NDA’s

Making all his issue go away behind NDA’s

Well worth a read just to see the crazy sh1t he got up to

https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/09/inside-ezra-millers-dark-spiral-messiah-delusions

the whole year inn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119216540#Comment_119216540

This is what I would gamble on aswell. Stall as much as you can , maybe even push the realase date .The studio will pay off the victums and will wait it out and hope for a bigger scandal to hit and everyone will forget about this .

I would say Ezra carrer is shot now, no studio will take a risk on him and Id say the reshoots mentioned could be different ending where Ezra is killed off/replaced with a different actor.

FunLover18

Some seriously messed up ****, does not sound like a pleasant person.

pixelburp

Nothing screams "I'm innocent" than flourishing the 'aul NDA.

CastorTroy

I never understood how NDA's can be used for something illegal. Like you hear of ones being forced to sign them after being assaulted.

They make sense in businesses or even to stop someone selling their story of a consensual relationship to a tabloid.

As for the film, they started releasing the prequel comic miniseries last week.

Penn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119637333#Comment_119637333

I don't think they can be used for anything illegal, but the effect of them is usually just tied to a payoff and so is generally just buying people's silence. Usually if the police don't approach them for questioning, they stay quiet.

Agent Coulson

Ezra remotely appearing in court today and pleading not gulity.

He faces 26 years in prison if found gulity

Ezra Miller Pleads Not Guilty To Felony Burglary Charges; ‘Flash’ Star Faces 26 Years In Vermont Prison If Convicted

Allowed to appear remotely early Monday for the session in the criminal division of the Green Mountain State’s Superior Court, Miller was told to stay away from the neighbor whose home he entered earlier this year.

Along with neighbor Isaac Winokur, Miller was also prohibited from interacting with another Vermont resident, Aiden Early, as conditions of their release.

Miller faces a maximum of 26 years behind bars as well as over $2,000 in fines if found guilty of the charges stemming from the spring incident which entailed stealing three bottles of liquor –gin, vodka and rum — from Winokur’s pantry.

In a jovial and chipper mood Monday morning, the casually dressed actor will have to return to court per Superior Court Judge Kerry A. McDonald-Cady, virtually or in-person, at an determined future date for more proceedings in this matter. “Ezra would like to acknowledge the love and support they have received from their family and friends, who continue to be a vital presence in their ongoing mental health,” said in part a statement soon after today’s hearing from attorney Lisa B. Shelkrot.

With more than a few pennies potentially on the line for Warner Bros Pictures and the studio’s long-awaited, $200 million-budgeted The Flash flick out next year, the nonbinary-identifying Miller agreed to five overall conditions, the most pressing being that the actor “can’t have any contact with Isaac Winokur or Aiden Early, either by phone, in person, email, text, posting on social media” and “can’t abuse or harass them as well,” ordered McDonald-Cady.

“We agree to those conditions,” said Miller’s attorney Lisa Skelkrot, who sat with the actor in her Burlington, VT, office.

In response to those conditions, Miller told the judge, “I do understand.”.........

https://deadline.com/2022/10/ezra-miller-bulgary-court-hearing-flash-vermont-warner-bros-1235146560/

Lithium93_

The script for the sequel has also been written, so if Ezra does end up facing very lengthy prison time, some sort of wibbly wobbley timey wimey to explain a different actor for the sequel.

Agent Coulson

If the sequel takes as long the this one to get to screen he could well have served a sentence and been released freshly reabilitated and ready to star again.

Lithium93_

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119762287#Comment_119762287

I doubt the sequel will take the same amount of time.

dublinman1990

A Christmas ornament for The Flash movie seems to suggest that Michael Keaton's Batsuit has a similar design to the official photos of the suit and maybe the Halloween costume.

https://twitter.com/FlashFilmNews/status/1586415940165476353?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1586415940165476353%7Ctwgr%5E2b70e316d680d53cefa80d05887903e47c038422%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbr.com%2Fbatman-michael-keaton-batsuit-ornament-the-flash%2F

Your thoughts on this. Would you think that this is similar to Keaton's new Batsuit?

Agent Coulson

The new Flash logo

Cotts72

Hopefully they'll flash Ezra Miller out of it somehow

pixelburp

Miller pleads guilty to trespassing charge, and looks like they'll avoid jail-time.

Actor Ezra Miller is expected to plead guilty to a lesser charge of trespassing in Vermont after he was accused of stealing several bottles of alcohol from someone's home.

...

A clerk for Vermont Superior Court confirmed that the parties have agreed to drop the burglary and larceny charges.

Miller is expected to enter a guilty plea Friday in Bennington County Superior Criminal Court.

Court documents show prosecutors are proposing that Miller face 89 to 90 days in a suspended sentence, as well as a year’s probation and a $500 fine.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ezra-miller-agrees-plea-guilty-vermont-burglary-case-rcna65415

youngblood

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119946904#Comment_119946904

Ideally it would somehow introduce at least 1 solid character of the New DC going forward- they've plenty of time to get it sorted!

pixelburp

Sounds like there'll be a new trailer happening during the Super Bowl on Feb 12; will be interesting to see if Batman finally makes a proper appearance, or indeed how they market this what with the publicised new direction headed by Gunn.