The Flash hit theaters on Thursday after years of preparation. A year ago it seemed entirely realistic that the blockbuster would never make it to the big screen and instead ends up in the poison cupboard. The reason: a bizarre spate of allegations, scandal reports and court investigations against the film’s star, Ezra Miller. We clarify all important questions about the controversy.
Who is Ezra Miller?
Ezra Miller plays the title role in The Flash and has appeared in the DC Universe since 2016 as Barry Allen. Miller has long been one of Hollywood’s most sought-after young stars, starring in acclaimed indie films like We Need to Talk About Kevin and being a regular part of the Harry Potter universe’s Fantastic Beasts series. In The Flash, Miller leads a major franchise blockbuster for the first time at age 30.
Burglary and assault: What are the allegations against Ezra Miller?
Much of the allegation against Ezra Miller will come out in June 2022. Here the star hits the headlines almost every week with new allegations. The allegations range from inappropriate handling of minors, physical harm and burglary. Reports of alleged crimes often remained. There were reports to the police, but only a few of the cases ended up in court. Also on the set of The Flash, Miller is said to have noticed erratic behavior, wrote Rolling Stone.
A brief timeline of the Ezra Miller controversy
April 2020: A video has gone viral in which Miller appears to be choking a woman in a fan riot in Iceland, Variety reported.
March/April 2022: Ezra Miller is arrested twice in Hawaii; once for an argument at a karaoke bar and again for allegedly throwing a chair at a woman, hitting her in the forehead, Deadline reported.
June 2022: The parents of Gibson Iron Eyes, a nonbinary activist, are issuing a restraining order against Miller, the Daily Beast wrote. Miller and Gibson Iron Eyes’ relationship is said to have started 6 years earlier when Iron Eyes was 12 years old. At the time of the injunction, the individual was 18 years old. Iron Eyes himself denied the allegations, accusing her and his parents of transphobic behavior.
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Ezra Miller in The Flash
June 2022: A week later, a 12-year-old child and her family issued another restraining order against Miller. Miller allegedly threatened the family and behaved inappropriately towards the child, Daily Beast reported.
June 2022: Rolling Stone reports Miller has three children and their mother living in his home. The conditions are dangerous for the children. Weapons and drugs would be openly lying around the premises.
June 2022: A woman tells Variety she was molested by Ezra Miller in Berlin in February 2022. Miller only left her apartment with the cooperation of the police.
What are the legal ramifications of Ezra Miller’s conduct?
In the months following the allegations in June, Miller released a statement. The star, it was said, was suffering “complex health problems” and have one “intense crisis” run through. Miller apologized to anyone who had been alarmed by the past behavior. The DC star wants to get back to a healthy and productive lifestyle.
More on the subject:
Damage control was pursued on all fronts. Vanity Fair reported that Ezra Miller or a legal team settled incidents like the one in Hawaii through non-disclosure agreements with the alleged victims. Several lawsuits were prevented by money payments.
However, Miller does not escape all legal consequences. In Vermont, the star was charged with the burglary and found guilty in January 2023. The penalty: one year probation and a fine totaling $692.
Cut Ezra Miller out of the film? How the controversy affected The Flash
In June 2022, Flash Studio Warner had to ask itself fundamental questions. Can a blockbuster with such a discredited star even make it to the cinema? How should this film be promoted? Could Ezra Miller’s behavior damage the DC brand? Reputable industry publications like Variety speculated that Warner might cut Ezra Miller from the film, as Ridley Scott did with Kevin Spacey on All the Money in the World. It didn’t come to that.
Pretty much everyone says The Flash Review
According to The Flash producer Barbara Muschietti, the film was actually never in jeopardy. Director Andy Muschietti also ruled out that Ezra Miller will be replaced by another actor in possible sequels. The star enjoys the studio’s support, said DC boss Peter Safran. One is convinced that Miller wants to get well.
However, Warner conspicuously “hid” the title star of his big summer blockbuster from the press during the important promotional phase. Actors like Dwayne Johnson spend months promoting their films in interviews and talk shows. Ezra Miller made only one appearance as part of The Flash’s release: at the premiere.
The Flash has been running since June 15, 2022 in German cinemas.
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