The highly-anticipated, stand-alone The Flash film looks promising as it received the best screening scores since The Dark Knight trilogy.
Despite all the controversy surrounding its lead star Ezra Miller, the upcoming DC film is being heralded as one of the best in the DCEU according to test audiences, as per The Hollywood Reporter.
Journalists for the outlet, Borys Kit and Aaron Couch, wrote: "It has been receiving some of the highest scores at test screenings since Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight movies, and execs and creatives believe they have a critical and box office hit on their hands that lives up to those scores."
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However, it puts Warner Bros. in a tough spot, as Miller has been making headlines this year, facing allegations of committing disorderly conduct, assault, and burglary while also being accused of grooming minors.
Miller’s unusual behaviour was made public as the filming of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore was halted.
At the time, the former indie darling was reportedly living in a ‘hippie commune’ shortly before they were filmed choking a woman in a since-deleted video, according to Vulture.
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Most recently, the actor was accused by the parents of 18-year-old activist Gibson Iron Eyes of grooming and abusing them.
In June, Chase Iron Eyes and his wife, Sara Jumping Eagle, sought an order of protection against Miller on behalf of their child, according to TMZ.
The couple claimed the actor had been grooming Gibson since they were 12, coercing them to take marijuana, alcohol and LSD.
Two months later, Miller was charged with felony burglary in Stamford, Vermont, after being accused of stealing alcohol bottles from a private home in May.
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Following the arrest, Miller issued a statement via Variety.
They wrote: “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.
“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.”
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Ahead of The Flash’s theatrical release next year, Warner Bros. is feeling mounting pressure to reshoot production.
Some fans have even suggested Grant Gustin, who plays the superhero on the CW network, could replace Miller.
One person wrote via Twitter: “Grant Gustin deserves to replace Ezra Miller as The Flash of DCEU because Grant was born to play starlet speedster in the first place.”
Another said: “Grant Gustin is a better flash than Ezra Miller and frankly, it isn’t f**king close lmao.”
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While a third fan commented: “Warner Bros and DC need to replace Ezra Miller with Grant Gustin as the Flash. The fans wanna see the Flash movie and are tired of waiting.”
Topics: Batman, Film and TV
Charisa Bossinakis