Unfortunately, controversy has become a regular occurrence in the DC Comics Extended Universe (DCEU) by now. Nowadays, reports of trouble behind the scenes are nothing new, whether that concerns the cast or even the directors behind the movies.Amidst all these, the newly formed Warner Bros. Discovery is determined to move forward. And after deeming Batgirl too costly for release, the company appears to be biding its time when it comes to Ezra Miller’s The Flash. The actor has been mired in scandal lately.And while some believe that this will eventually prompt them to pull the plug, others think Miller’s recent decision to go to rehab may be enough to persuade Warner Bros. to keep The Flash in its movie slate.
Ezra Miller Faced Police Charges Even Before Joining The DCEU
Miller was first introduced as The Flash in the DCEU’s 2016 movie Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Since then, the actor, who uses they/them pronouns, has gone on to reprise the role in Justice League and later on, Zack Snyder’s Justice League.
At the same time, Miller also did a cameo as The Flash in Suicide Squad and even The CW’s Arrow where they came face to face with the other Flash actor, Justin Grant.
But even before all this happened, however, Miller had already been in trouble with the law at least once. According to records, the actor was arrested back in 2011 and charged with marijuana possession following a routine traffic stop where police noted that they was holding a “brown, vegetable material.”
Years later, in April 2020, a video of Miller seemingly holding a fan by the throat surfaced while the actor was in Reykjavik, Iceland.
Earlier in January, the actor also posted a video addressing members of the Ku Klux Klan. The since-deleted post showed Miller stating that those people should harm themselves with their own weapons, should they feel inclined to not live anymore.
Just a few months later, in March, the Hawaii Police Department revealed that it arrested and charged Miller with disorderly conduct and harassment following an incident at a local bar. The actor reportedly became “agitated” after some bar patrons began singing karaoke, yelling obscenities, and even grabbing the microphone from a woman.
Miller also allegedly lunged at a man who was playing darts. The actor was released after posting bail.
Shortly after, a temporary restraining order against Miller was filed after they allegedly burst into a couple’s bedroom and threatened to harm them.
The case was dismissed just two weeks later but soon, the actor was arrested again for second-degree assault during another traffic stop after becoming irate during a private gathering.
More recently, in June, Miller has also been accused of taking and grooming a minor named Takata Iron Eyes. Later on, in August, another parent sought a temporary prevention order against the actor after claiming that Miller “menaced their family one evening…”
Around the same time, Miler also faced accusations of burglarizing a home in Vermont. The actor is also believed to be housing a 25-year-old woman and her three children at their Vermont farm.
Vermont State Police attempted to serve an emergency care order to the woman in August, which would require for the children to be taken away from the mother’s care and Miller’s home.
Warner Bros. May Just Have A ‘Redemption Story’ In Ezra Miller
After keeping silent for some time, Miller finally came out to (sort of) address the controversy around them.
“Having recently gone through a time of intense crisis, I now understand that I am suffering complex mental health issues and have begun ongoing treatment,” the actor said in a statement.
“I want to apologize to everyone that I have alarmed and upset with my past behavior. I am committed to doing the necessary work to get back to a healthy, safe, and productive stage in my life.”
By “necessary work,” it is believed that Miller meant they would be seeking treatment. And following this movie, it is unclear if that would be enough to convince Warner Bros. to continue with the scheduled release of what would be their first solo DCEU movie.
Some industry experts believe Miller’s recent apology may just be what Warner Bros. has been waiting to hear.
“There’s a redemption story,” Paul Hardart, who serves as the director of NYU Stern School of Business entertainment, media, and technology program, told CNBC.
“And I think from Warner Bros. standpoint, they’ve clearly said, ‘This movie is of value to us.’ They could write it off, they have the benefit of the purchase accounting moment. They could write it off and are choosing not to.”
Ezra Miller’s Apology May Not Be Enough To Keep The Flash From Getting Scrapped
On the other hand, other experts are arguing that Miller’s apology may not necessarily ‘save’ the movie.
“It’s really important for everyone to remember that this isn’t just about stealing a couple of bottles of booze, or a bar fight. There are some really serious, sexually based allegations about Ezra Miller. And any time you hear words like grooming, or trafficking or suggestions of impropriety with minors, the stakes are incredibly, incredibly high,” Tony Freinberg, the president of crisis management firm Edendale Strategies explained.
“It’s not a get-out-of-jail-free card.”
For now, The Flash has a planned release date of June 23, 2023, after the movie suffered multiple delays over the years. Miller’s status in the DCEU beyond The Flash is also unknown for now, along with his future with other Warner Bros. Discovery projects such as possible Fantastic Beasts sequels.
