James Gunn’s DC Universe is currently full steam ahead, with several releases geared up for the coming months and years. But with speculation over who will play The Flash in the DCU, Elliot Page’s name has come to the forefront. Many fans, however, aren’t sold on the idea, So how do we feel about Elliot Page As The New Flash?
What is the ‘DC Universe’ in 2025?
Aiming to compete alongside the behemoth that is the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the DC Universe is a reimagined and ‘rebooted’ cinema and TV universe for DC Comics characters. The idea for the DC Universe has been alive for years, with studio executives at Warner Bros. Discovery being unhappy with the mixed critical and commercial success of DC blockbusters like Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Justice League (not to mention the disjointed nature of these films, especially compared with the coherent ‘universe’ of Marvel.)
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In 2022, the immensely profitable superhero director James Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 1, 2 & 3) was drafted in to helm the DC Universe and offer it creative direction. Alongside Peter Safran, the duo will serve as co-CEOs of DC Studios.
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The DCU aims to create an interconnected universe across all DC films, as well as TV, animation, and video games. It has been promoted as a new era for DC, one that aims to distinguish itself from the fragmented character of the former franchise - the ‘DCEU’ (2013-2023) - which was accused of being both tonally uneven and rushed in its storytelling. Indeed, James Gunn has stated that the DCU represents a "soft reboot" of the former franchise.
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Why is there so much interest in DC’s The Flash?
Elliot Page As The New Flash?
The Flash is one of DC's most iconic, enduring, and recognisable superheroes. First appearing in 1940, during the ‘Golden Age of Comics’, The Flash is known for his superhuman speed and sleek red-yellow costume get-up. The superhero character has been portrayed by multiple comic book individuals, with the most well-known being ‘Barry Allen’.
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Perhaps the main reason The Flash has endured as a character is because he tends to be depicted as having optimism, hope, and a clear moral centre (often in contrast to the gritty, dark nature of many other DC characters). He also brings a certain level of humour and gravitas to big, complex storylines, making him comparable in some ways to Marvel’s Spider-Man. In recent years, The Flash has appeared in various DC Extended Universe media, with the character being played by American actor Ezra Miller. In 2017, Miller first appeared as the character in Justice League. Subsequently, the actor was set to reprise their role once more in the 2023 film, The Flash.
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However, in the lead-up to the release of The Flash, Miller generated a significant amount of controversy, with much of it overshadowing the marketing for the film itself. In 2022, the actor was faced with numerous legal issues and abuse allegations, as family and friends said Miller had “unravelled”. The allegations were wide-ranging and included everything from committing assault to burglary, disorderly conduct, harassment, and grooming of minors. News media picked up on story after story, including astounding allegations that Miller travelled the US in body armour, and that they were running a cult in Iceland.
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Despite these macabre claims and the negative public perception of Miller, the fact that they played multiple characters and appeared in almost every scene in the film meant that the actor couldn’t be recast ahead of The Flash’s release (although there are suggestions that Warner Bros. Discovery had considered “cancelling” the film entirely as a last resort). In the end, Miller issued a public apology, where they said they were seeking help for “complex mental health issues”. Months later, in 2023, The Flash was released to mixed reviews and immediately became a box-office bomb.
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What role does Elliot Page play in the discussion regarding The Flash?
Elliot Page As The New Flash?
Following the disastrous campaign surrounding the release of The Flash - and the, eh, not insignificant legal challenges faced by Ezra Miller - the future of the character (and who might play him) remains uncertain. The DCU plans to reset the franchise, meaning there might be a window for a new actor to take on the role. When asked about whether Miller would hold onto the role for the DCU, James Gunn and Peter Safran weren’t exactly thrilled about the idea. Gunn told media outlet Gizmodo in early 2023, “Let’s see what happens” (and this is before the film had even been released). Later that same year, Variety was reporting that Ezra Miller had been ousted as The Flash.
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While DC hasn’t officially confirmed the next step, the uncertainty has already got fans speculating over who might be better suited for the role. One suggestion has been Elliot Page, the Canadian actor noted for his role in TV shows like The Umbrella Academy and films like X-Men: Days of Future Past.
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Elliot Page As The New Flash?
In October 2024, one fan even went as far as drawing up an AI art depiction of Elliot Page as Barry Allen. The images were initially shared by ‘The Mother of All Nerds’ on Facebook, who wrote in the caption: "Page's strong acting credentials and the belief that he could bring a unique interpretation to the character, especially in the wake of Miller's departure." Fans have pointed out Page’s excellent acting credentials, superhero-starring history, and the fact that he’s now freed up following the finale of The Umbrella Academy in 2024. Indeed, it’s worth noting that the campaign to make Elliot Page the next Flash goes back as early as 2022.
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Despite this, some comic book fans have dismissed the idea. Many have questioned whether Elliot Page is exactly suited for the role, or whether the suggestion simply stems from the fact that Elliot Page is a trans man, leading many to see him as an ideal replacement for Ezra Miller, who identifies as transgender non-binary. Some fans have claimed it amounts to virtue signalling, rather than an honest attempt at finding the right replacement.
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Elliot Page As The New Flash?
While the debate rages on, we await the latest DC Universe developments. Superman will give us a fresh taste of the future of this franchise when it’s released in summer 2025.
