THE FLASH: James Gunn Responds To Demands That Grant Gustin Play The DCU's Scarlet Speedster

THE FLASH: James Gunn Responds To Demands That Grant Gustin Play The DCU's Scarlet Speedster

Responding to a fan who reminded James Gunn that fans would like to see Grant Gustin play the DCU's Flash, the DC Studios co-CEO also debunked a pretty wild "rumour" about the Scarlet Speedster.

By JoshWilding - Jan 17, 2026 10:01 AM EST
Filed Under: The Flash

It's been a couple of years since The Flash concluded its nine-season run on The CW. As the network looked to move away from pricey scripted dramas, the Arrowverse TV shows fell one by one, with the Scarlet Speedster lucky to get a proper ending after Batwoman and Legends of Tomorrow were unceremoniously cancelled.

Grant Gustin did an excellent job as Barry Allen in the eyes of most fans, and the positive aspects of his performance shone even brighter after whatever it was Ezra Miller did in The Flash movie in 2023. 

In December 2024, DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn said that he and Peter Safran are "holding a beat on development" when it comes to a new movie featuring the Scarlet Speedster. We don't know what that means for Barry Allen, but there's a good chance that Wally West will be the DCU's Flash (giving the Fastest Man Alive a fresh start).

Gunn recently responded to another weird fan question on Threads, who threatened to "riot" if The Umbrella Academy star Elliot Page is chosen to play The Flash in place of Gustin. That's the first we've heard about the trans actor's possible DCU casting. 

Weighing in, the Man of Tomorrow filmmaker said, "I keep being told people are going to riot over things but I am as of yet to see a riot. Love Grant by the way. I don't know what Elliot has to do with anything."

Gustin's name has cropped up again because photos of him with blonde, Barry Allen-like hair recently went viral on social media. For what it's worth, the Arrowverse alum has previously confirmed that he's spoken to DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn...but not about the Fastest Man Alive. 

"We've never talked about Flash," the actor confirmed in 2024. "We've talked, just like, I'm a huge Superman fan. I've always been a Superman fan, since I was a kid. So, I'm just really excited about the movie. And I'm excited about David [Corenswet]'s casting."

He added, "I'm excited to see what James Gunn does with it. So, I think at one point - maybe a couple of different times, we've DM'd about Superman. We've literally never talked Flash. I'm just excited he's doing Superman."

Despite the controversies surrounding Miller, Warner Bros. Discovery and Gunn gave both the actor and The Flash movie their full backing. The Superman director even went so far as to declare it "one of the greatest superhero movies ever made."

Those words came back to haunt him amid mixed reviews, a so-so response from fans, and a dismal haul at the global box office. At this stage, fans would welcome Gustin back to the role, though we'd bet on the Scarlet Speedster remaining sidelined for now. 

About The Author:
JoshWilding
Member Since 3/13/2009
Comic Book Reader. Film Lover. WWE and F1 Fan. Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic and ComicBookMovie.com's #1 contributor.
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Wahhvacado
Wahhvacado - 1/17/2026, 10:42 AM
I do have to concur Gunn's statement, "I don't know what Elliot has to do with anything."
slickrickdesigns
slickrickdesigns - 1/17/2026, 10:50 AM
Snyder F-ed up not including Grant Gustin in the Snyderverse. I know the lightheartedness of the show doesn’t fit with the Snyder verse that Snyder was going for, but he was a better flash than Ezra Miller.
Battinson
Battinson - 1/17/2026, 10:55 AM
@slickrickdesigns - im a Snyderverse fan myself byt Grant's Flash wouldn't fit
Titan417
Titan417 - 1/17/2026, 2:55 PM
@slickrickdesigns - in hindsight Grant is better, but I don’t think the Flash series was all that great. It hand moments that were great but CW makes the shows a little corny
Pampero
Pampero - 1/17/2026, 10:51 AM
Casting rumors already out. Sean Gunn as The Flash, obviously
Malatrova15
Malatrova15 - 1/17/2026, 10:52 AM
Elliot has to do everyhing
ElBlancoChoco
ElBlancoChoco - 1/18/2026, 10:18 AM
@Malatrova15 - except having a dick.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 1/17/2026, 10:57 AM
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Kidding aside i like Grant and even when the show became a shell of its former self , he remained a highlight but he’s had his time as the character so best to move on imo.

Plus , we don’t even know if they’ll go with Barry again or will it be Wally (I’m hoping for the latter personally).

Also this is stating the obvious but man , some fans are [frick]ing weird!!.
Bucky74
Bucky74 - 1/17/2026, 11:02 AM
The show was awful at the end, but he was a great Flash. That said, here's my pick for DCU Barry, and he already sort of played The Flash already - Kyle Gallner. He's an incredible actor (check him out in the film "The Passenger", seriously, he should have won something for that, and Strange Darling). He's soooo good, and he can do drama, comedy, and has the right look.
MatteMan
MatteMan - 1/17/2026, 11:03 AM
I think that The Flash/Green Lantern team up movie could be Dope. Where they go back in time, meet the JSA etc
Repian
Repian - 1/17/2026, 11:13 AM
@MatteMan - If Barry travels back in time and meets the JSA, he hides his identity and calls himself Jay Garrick.
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bobevanz
bobevanz - 1/17/2026, 11:04 AM
Some nobody made up a rumor with Elliot, so the typical idiots can rage bait over something the was never going to happen in the first place. No Gustin either. Trash CW verse
OrgasmicPotatoe
OrgasmicPotatoe - 1/17/2026, 12:26 PM
@bobevanz - and you're the only one dumb enough to take the bait and rant about it. Seek help.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 1/17/2026, 11:09 AM
Rudy Pankow for Wally West!!.

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Repian
Repian - 1/17/2026, 11:27 AM
Gunn will cast an "unknown" actor to save money. So perhaps Benjamin Evan Ainsworth to play an 18- or 19-year-old Barry Allen.
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JackDeth
JackDeth - 1/17/2026, 2:00 PM
@Repian - Casting an 'unknown' isn't about saving money. Gunn will cast the person who does the best job in screen tests. He's proven this time and time again.
EscapeMySight
EscapeMySight - 1/17/2026, 11:32 AM
New actor for Flash please. I loved Grant as the character, but that time is over. They [frick]ed up big time not including him in The Flash movie though — Literally a movie about the multiverse and you don’t include the (then) current and most loved version of the character, but you DO include a full on CG version of Chris Reeve that no one wants *facepalm*

Those “cameos” were so tacky and horribly done.
Nolanite
Nolanite - 1/17/2026, 11:45 AM
Honestly, I would be content with Grant in the DCU as the Flash.

Since Gunn is messing around with dimensions and portals, I am sure he can figure out a way to bring him in.

Better than having the other guy who ruined the flash for me even though I did enjoy the movie for what it was.

Nolanite out
BackwardGalaxy
BackwardGalaxy - 1/17/2026, 12:03 PM
I don't care either way, but Grant is very easy to like. The show went downhill right after Zoom beat the snot out of him, but he was never the problem. It's also cool he can sing, if irrelevant to the subject matter.
DocSpock
DocSpock - 1/17/2026, 12:04 PM

No more sissy Flashes please.
hue66
hue66 - 1/17/2026, 12:21 PM
No to Grant. A Wesley Shipp type, more heroic presence and athletic look. More confidence, fearless badass type person.
KennKathleen
KennKathleen - 1/17/2026, 12:21 PM
I'd love to see Grant return as the Flash for the big screen.

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TheExile117
TheExile117 - 1/17/2026, 12:33 PM
Please no. Let’s get a new actor for Barry. Or better yet, let’s just debut Wally
ModHaterSLADE
ModHaterSLADE - 1/17/2026, 12:54 PM
The first two seasons of Flash were fantastic, even though the writing became inconsistent afterwards, Gustin was still one of the best parts of the show. I'd be down for him to return to the role.
GeneralZod
GeneralZod - 1/17/2026, 12:57 PM
@ModHaterSLADE - Similar to Supergirl. First season of Supergirl (when it was on CBS) was off-the-charts. Then the writers pursued identitarian-themed plots and it fell of the rails.
ModHaterSLADE
ModHaterSLADE - 1/17/2026, 2:26 PM
@GeneralZod - Supergirl was much better when it was on CBS. When it got on CW it's like they watered everything down. I still remember how good that Red Tornado episode was.
GeneralZod
GeneralZod - 1/17/2026, 8:11 PM
@ModHaterSLADE - the RT episode, especially the climax, was insane!!! Don't know what the hell happened to CBMs and TV shows, but this is what the masses want.
ModHaterSLADE
ModHaterSLADE - 1/17/2026, 10:18 PM
@GeneralZod - Yeah, Kara losing her temper and going full power was awesome. Shame the CW move took a lot of the fun out of the fights.
GeneralZod
GeneralZod - 1/17/2026, 1:01 PM
Still one of the greatest (greatest?) scenes in comic book television ever. Tense. Frightening. Sad. Breathtaking.

"And in many ways, you have shown me, what it means to have a son. Forgive me. But to me, you've been dead for centuries."

ridah
ridah - 1/18/2026, 3:22 AM
@GeneralZod - Agreed, too bad they made it all for nought an episode later! Would've been so powerful had it stuck.
GeneralZod
GeneralZod - 1/18/2026, 2:13 PM
@ridah - That's right.
LoudLon
LoudLon - 1/17/2026, 1:41 PM
Glen Powell would make a good Flash, IMO.
JackDeth
JackDeth - 1/17/2026, 1:57 PM
My fan cast for FLASH hasn't changed. Still holding out hope.

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