What Should WB Do With The Flash Movie?

[Detective Conan]

Regardless of how you feel about WB as a studio you have acknowledge they are in a no- win situation. They have a 200 million dollar movie with a star that can’t seem to stay out of trouble; it seems like almost every other day we’re hearing something about Miller - ranging from stuff like assault to even child grooming. Even if Miller is somehow innocent of these allegations it doesn’t change the reality they are PR poison, which leaves the question on what WB does with this movie under these circumstances. If the likelihood of more horrible stuff coming about Miller and WB unable to recast the role for the film I ask what WB should do?Should they just wave the white flag and dump it on HBO Max or just shelve it entirely? What on earth can they do in this terrible situation?

Edit: The initial version of this post erroneously misgendered Ezra Miller(who is non-binary) and has since been corrected with the proper pronouns.

 

[The Infernal]

Ezra is poison, they have to publicly acknowledge that regardless of what they decide to do with the Flash film.

I don't see them recasting Ezra entirely considering he is playing multiple versions of the Flash. Maybe at a pinch they could recast the main version of Ezra's Flash hoping that due to the brief TV show crossover that audiences will buy into the multiverse concept (perhaps even having Grant Gustin's Flash cameo in the movie).

Or they could re-work the shot footage into a Booster Gold or Wally West Flash movie that either erases the Ezra variants or foregoes using his footage altogether opting to repurpose only the footage of the other actors.

Whatever option WB take it will be expensive for the studio, even if they just release the move as is and having Ezra in the starring role risks being a permanent stain on the DC cinematic universe.

 

[Spider-Fan]

People can cite financial concerns to me all they want, but I still say recasting and reshooting the movie is the right call. I don't see this movie performing well at all and I think as we learn more about Ezra, sponsors are bound to pull out of this movie. So I say invest in the Flash's long term future as an IP and reshoot.

 

[Milk Tray Guy]

Release The Movie Theatrically With Limited Press

As things currently stand, I'd have to go with this one. I could see the stars doing no interviews at all for the duration, with the studio relying entirely on carefully put together trailers/TV spots, posters, and merchandising.

 

[Herolee10]

One thing is for sure; you won't have #ReleasetheEzraCut trending if they end up reshooting Ezra's scenes with someone else.

 

[TheVileOne]

People can cite financial concerns to me all they want, but I still say recasting and reshooting the movie is the right call. I don't see this movie performing well at all and I think as we learn more about Ezra, sponsors are bound to pull out of this movie. So I say invest in the Flash's long term future as an IP and reshoot.

From certain perspectives, it might be the right call, it still won't happen.

And yeah, like Todd McFarlane is going to pull all his DCU products because of this. Not happening.

We're talking about a movie that wrapped production in October. Is likely very close to being finished yet if not finished already. Reassembling and reshooting the necessary scenes like that, nearly a year from production being wrapped is going to be close to impossible. Actors may not be available.

This is a huge $200 million, live-action movie. You'd basically have to reshoot most of it, not the entire thing to replace Ezra Miller.

Post-WBD merger, there is no way they are going to want to dump another $100 or $150 million on this to fix it. It's not feasible. Nothing like this has ever been done before. I'm not saying it can't or never be done, but circumstances will prevent it from happening.l

 

[Spider-Fan]

From certain perspectives, it might be the right call, it still won't happen.

And yeah, like Todd McFarlane is going to pull all his DCU products because of this. Not happening.

We're talking about a movie that wrapped production in October. Is likely very close to being finished yet if not finished already. Reassembling and reshooting the necessary scenes like that, nearly a year from production being wrapped is going to be close to impossible. Actors may not be available.

This is a huge $200 million, live-action movie. You'd basically have to reshoot most of it, not the entire thing to replace Ezra Miller.

Post-WBD merger, there is no way they are going to want to dump another $100 or $150 million on this to fix it. It's not feasible. Nothing like this has ever been done before. I'm not saying it can't or never be done, but circumstances will prevent it from happening.l

If I am Todd or McDonald's, Doritos, whatever. I don't want a child predator on my products. So I absolutely would not sell that product. Keep my products away from this mess as much as possible. Nor would I want those products on my shelves if I am Walmart or Target. Selling child predator figures to children I think is bound to get bad press and angry parents. So yeah, this will absolutely impact that market

And again, I get the financial impact of a reshoot. I get it. I think it is worth it. This movie is unsellable with a child predator in the front. If this can be a movie that goes from 200-300 mil with the child predator to a 600-800 mil one with someone else, the extra money is worth it.

 

[TheVileOne]

If I am Todd or McDonald's, Doritos, whatever. I don't want a child predator on my products. So I absolutely would not sell that product. Keep my products away from this mess as much as possible. Nor would I want those products on my shelves if I am Walmart or Target. Selling child predator figures to children I think is bound to get bad press and angry parents. So yeah, this will absolutely impact that market.

And again, I get the financial impact of a reshoot. I get it. I think it is worth it. This movie is unsellable with a child predator in the front. If this can be a movie that goes from 200-300 mil with the child predator to a 600-800 mil one with someone else, the extra money is worth it.

If the movie is unsellable, then you basically quietly dump it to HBO Max or don't even release it in theaters at all. Maybe that's what is ultimately going to happen here, dunno. But none of the reports have given any inkling or indication they are doing that. I imagine WBD and Zaslav are in wait and see for all of this. But they aren't going to spend $200-$300 million to reshoot the movie.

They'd sooner just dump this one and maybe revisit Flash in however many years.

 

[The Infernal]

I still say keep the footage of the other actors and repurpose their performances for other projects maybe even a Booster Gold or Wally West film with Barry Allen dead for the time being until enough time has passed to resurrect the character with a fresh face and clean image.

 

[Spider-Fan]

If the movie is unsellable, then you basically quietly dump it to HBO Max or don't even release it in theaters at all. Maybe that's what is ultimately going to happen here, dunno. But none of the reports have given any inkling or indication they are doing that. I imagine WBD and Zaslav are in wait and see for all of this. But they aren't going to spend $200-$300 million to reshoot the movie.

They'd sooner just dump this one and maybe revisit Flash in however many years.

We shall see what they do in the end. But you cannot convince me reshooting the movie isn't the most savvy call at this point. Regardless of the financial cost

 

[TheVileOne]

We shall see what they do in the end. But you cannot convince me reshooting the movie isn't the most savvy call at this point. Regardless of the financial cost

It would only be the most savvy call if we were talking about Ben Affleck, Michael Shannon, or Michael Keaton here.

 

[The Shape]

The movie is a full year away. The ideal situation would be that some of Ezra's troubles are resolved, he is reigned in, comes out with some sort of apology and/or statement that clarifies the truth, some time passes, and they release the movie theatrically. However, it doesn't seem like that will happen on Ezra's side.

Either way, there is a lot of time here. I still think the movie should be released theatrically (with limited press from Ezra) for a 45-day window. Shelving the film entirely or doing some stupid reshoot shenanigans are not viable options.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

Let people watch it on HBO Max. Audiences like a good freakshow and will watch it in secret.

But if you release it in theaters the humiliation and association with Erza will be public.

 

[Spider-Fan]

The movie is a full year away. The ideal situation would be that some of Ezra's troubles are resolved, he is reigned in, comes out with some sort of apology and/or statement that clarifies the truth, some time passes, and they release the movie theatrically. However, it doesn't seem like that will happen on Ezra's side.

Either way, there is a lot of time here. I still think the movie should be released theatrically (with limited press from Ezra) for a 45-day window. Shelving the film entirely or doing some stupid reshoot shenanigans are not viable options.

If the accusations of grooming are true, that isn't something that will go away. I think some of yall are underselling what he is accused of. When it was just bar fights and such, I could see this POV a lot more. But grooming 12 year old kids? Nah man. We are well beyond anything at that point he can come back from. You cannot sell action figures and slap the face of a child predator on toys and cereals and such as an icon for children.

 

[Frodo]

I'm personally not about saving this film with Ezra as its star.
I'm for reshooting the parts with The Flash with another actor ,or taking the parts without Ezra and incorporating them in other projects.

And I'm died in the wool fanboy who wants to see Keaton's return as Batman, but if i'm responding this way, imagine how parents and other people are going to respond to finding out about Ezra.

Imo, there isn't a way to save this film as is now, and the press isn't gonna do WB a solid, and keep a lid on all the allegations this year , or a year from now.

It's going to be apart of the conversation ,regardless of whatever positive reaction it received from test screenings.

I don't care what type of advertising or what else does or doesn't happen with him.
It's not just gonna fade away as much as WB wants that to happen.

 

[MadVillainy]

There's not much to do. WB is in a new win situation whether it be in terms of public perception or financially. But there's really only one viable option. Release The Movie Theatrically With Limited Press
I know we online aren't in the biz or whatever, but we have to remove emotions and really think about it.

The movie costs probably somewhere between 150 to 200 mill. Shelving it is just not something that can be done with a price tag like that. If this was a smaller movie like Johnny Depp's "City of Lies" or Louis CK's "I Love You, Daddy" (*shudder*). No matter what they think of Miller, investors and shareholders won't go for that.

Release on HBO Max? That works but then I don't really see how that's much better because it doesn't address the issues of having Miller in the film. And again the movie is expensive. And WB is still dealing with some of the fallout from talent and studio vendors due to their 2020 release strategy. Even with a completely valid reason for moving to streaming it can annoy some people who have money, interests, etc. on the line with a theatrical release.

They can't film it again because that drives the budget even higher. This is the silliest take on this I think. In theory, sure that would work. But it's just not realistic or viable at all. Especially when there's no guarantee that the movie will gross enough to make up for the original budget and the reshoot costs. How would you be able to convince top brass to put even more into a movie that's not a guaranteed hit? There's no evidence that the people who weren't gonna see it (even before the Miller accusations) are gonna go it with Miller replaced
This isn't an "All the Money in the World" or "Army of the Dead" situation where the character isn't in the movie that much. Miller is the lead. And then also isn't it rumored that Miller is playing dual roles as the villain/Reverse Flash? This would be like re-filming all of Spider-Man NWH to replace Holland or all of Fury Road to replace Charlize Theron.
You would double or maybe even triple the budget in order to 1) cast a new Barry 2) bring back whatever cast members share scenes with Barry Allen's actor, 3) re-film huge action set pieces 4) rebuild sets 5) re-up on permits...and that's just a few things that don't include legal ramifications. Way too much money. If you're gonna refilm it to replace Miller, you might as well shelve it.

The only solution is release as is. Hope to recoup a little bit of the costs, try and ban questions regarding Miller during the press run, don't allow Miller on the press run, and then just not work with Miller again (which even before the report came out I knew would happen). I don't see any other logical take on the matter. WB is just going to have to take it on the chin/fall on their swords

It's the worst situation to get into business wise. But more importantly my heart goes out to Miller's victims and Miller's family who has to deal with their issues

EDIT: I remember Netflix did shelve the Gore Vidal biopic that Spacey had filmed. But again that budget wasn't anymore near Flash most likely. If Flash was a smaller movie, obviously the shelving thing would be the best option

EDIT 2: Another option might just be to instead of filming Barry Allen scenes with a new actor to just film more scenes with Keaton, Affleck, and Supergirl. Make this a "Batmen" movie. Then just cut down, but not completely out, the Miller scenes. Marketing focus more on the Batmen and Supergirl. That'd still be really expensive but maybe not as much as re-filming practically the whole movie

 

[Frodo]

The only solution is release as is. Hope to recoup a little bit of the costs, try and ban questions regarding Miller during the press run, don't allow Miller on the press run, and then just not work with Miller again (which even before the report came out I knew would happen)

You can ban all the questions about Miller you want, the press is still going to bring it up and be apart of news reports and it's gonna be apart of the conversation, so that's unavoidable.

And worse then that, the perception of WB will be bad as hell ,and it will come of as trying to protect Ezra , which would be bad for the film and the studio.

 

[MadVillainy]

You can ban all the questions about Miller you want, the press is still going to bring it up and it's gonna be apart of the conversation, so that's unavoidable.

And worse then that, the perception of WB will be bad as hell and it will come of as trying to protect Ezra , which would be bad for the film and the studio.

Ok. I don't disagree. But as I said that's the only logical thing to do.

Re-filming or shelving a 150-200 million dollar movie is not realistic. I don't get how/why people keep suggesting it.

And then a streaming release doesn't address the fact that you have an alleged groomer and violent person in the movie

 

[Frodo]

Ok. I don't disagree. But as I said that's the only logical thing to do.

Re-filming or shelving a 150-200 million dollar movie is not realistic. I don't get how/why people keep suggesting it.

And then a streaming release doesn't address the fact that you have an alleged groomer and violent person in the movie

The more logical thing to do would be to can the press tour and just release it.
It would still be pretty bad, but it wouldn't look like enabling and hiding from questions, when asked, for their bottom line.
But it would still reflect badly on WB .

While reshooting the film isn't likely , I grant you , It's more justifiable then trying to justify releasing and promoting a film with a child predator as it's lead.


Taking parts of the film without Ezra and incorporating them into other projects is more viable than reshooting or releasing it in theaters and trying to hide from a reality that everyone will be taking about anyway.

 

[MadVillainy]

The more logical thing to do would be to can the press tour and just release it.
It would still be pretty bad, but it wouldn't look like enabling for their bottom line.

I have no dog in the fight but I'd just be surprised if they just don't to a press tour with Keaton and the actress playing Supergirl. But canning the press tour is fine imo.

 

[TheVileOne]

Let people watch it on HBO Max. Audiences like a good freakshow and will watch it in secret.

But if you release it in theaters the humiliation and association with Erza will be public.

Death on the Nile was still released with Armie Hammer's role fully intact, despite what's been said about him.

Hulu is moving forward with S3 of Solar Opposites despite allegations against Thomas Middleditch.

Netflix pushed ahead on the remaining season of Castlevania completely written by Warren Ellis despite his allegations as well.

There's actually quite a precedent of things like this happening in Hollywood of projects and shows still forging ahead with their releases despite publicly embarrassing and humiliating stories such as this.

 

[Prison Mike]

I think they should release it theatrically but move up the date. Maybe a quiet mid April release date or something in early 2023? They should also put Batgirl in the June slot because that’s still a prime time release date.

 

[BoredGuy]

I'd argue that neither of those actors are the lead/face of the project (and one's obv just a writer), nor are their controversies as widely publicized. Hammer maybe, for a minute there, but the news faded on that pretty quickly.

But Miller is the face of this thing, and has been in the news constantly over the past few months. There's also video of him committing one of the acts.

Warners is in a rough position here. They should've fired him right when he choke slammed that girl at a bar. Would've avoided this ongoing disaster.

 

[MadVillainy]

I'd argue that neither of those actors are the lead/face of the project (and one's obv just a writer), nor are their controversies as widely publicized. Hammer maybe, for a minute there, but the news faded on that pretty quickly.

But Miller is the face of this thing, and has been in the news constantly over the past few months. There's also video of him committing one of the acts.

Warners is in a rough position here. They should've fired him right when he choke slammed that girl at a bar. Would've avoided this ongoing disaster.

This. The top brass of WB have none of my sympathies here after how they handled that

 

[Spider-Fan]

The Death on the Nile comparison is a bad one for 1 primary reason: that is an adult oriented murder mystery. They are not selling figures and Halloween costumes of Death on the Nile to children. The Flash is a 200 million dollar film heavily marketed to kids. So having a child predator as your lead is way more problematic than what Death on the Nile faced. And even there, Disney considered shelving that movie entirely.