DC’s “The Flash,” starring actor Ezra Miller, had a shockingly lukewarm start at the Box Office as it opened with $55 Million, which is reportedly $15 Million less than the projected number.
“The Flash” also doesn’t seem to be doing too well with critics, as it currently sits at a 66% approval rating on the review site Rotten Tomatoes.
With a hefty estimated budget of $200-220 million, the superhero flick was hit with a string of scathing controversies surrounding the lead actor, Miller, prior to its premiere on June 16th.
Keep on reading to learn more.
‘The Flash’ Disappoints At The Box Office For Its Opening Weekend
Director Andy Muschietti’s superhero blockbuster, “The Flash,” had a disappointing start at the Box Office as it pulled in much less than the showrunners had expected.
The superhero film reportedly made a total of $55 million from 4,234 theaters in the U.S. over the past three days, which is nowhere near the estimated initial $70 million, per Deadline.
“The Flash,” praised by new DC Studios co-chair James Gunn, as “one of the greatest superhero movies ever made,” cost around $200 million to produce. An estimate of $100 million was also reportedly needed to market the movie.
According to Variety, The film also produced underwhelming figures internationally, as it made $75 million from a total of 78 markets, capping its global earning at $139 million.
“The Flash” is the second DC movie of 2023, with two more set to be released later this year. The new movie seems to mirror the trajectory of the Dwayne Johnson-led “Black Adam” film, which was considered a box bomb for its $393.3 million total gross after its theatrical run.
With critics, “The Flash” is receiving mild reviews as it currently has a 66% approval rating and an 85% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Although more and more people appear to be having a disinterest in superhero movies, “The Flash” in particular seems to be suffering due to its lead star, Miller’s reputation.
Is Ezra Miller’s Controversial Past To Blame?
Amid growing fatigue for superhero flicks, “The Flash’s” poor box office performance could also be directly tied to the scandalous image of its lead actor, Ezra Miller.
Miller, who goes by they/them pronouns, shocked fans with their worrisome behavior last year.
The actor was detained in Hawaii for unruly conduct and harassment after allegedly getting involved in a physical altercation with several other people at a Karaoke club.
Following this, Miller was slammed with a second-degree assault charge for allegedly throwing a chair, resulting in a bystander getting injured on the forehead.
To make things worse, the “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” actor was the subject of an exposé by Vanity Fair, titled, “Ezra Miller’s ‘Messiah’ Delusions: Inside The Flash Star’s Dark Spiral.”
In the report, Miller was accused of having a messiah complex, leading a cult of devoted followers, and having a harem.
An insider who spoke with the publication claimed the actor had firearms stashed away on their Vermont ranch. Sources also alleged that Miller weaponized their queer identity to their advantage and was okay with being misgendered within their inner circle and behind closed doors.
Miller also pled guilty to felony burglary charges early this year. The actor was accused of breaking into their neighbor’s home in Vermont to steal expensive bottles of liquor.
Ezra Miller Apologized For Their ‘Past Behavior’
After what seems like pressure from DC and Warner Bros. bigwigs, Miller, through their representative, tendered an apology for their scandalous behavior.
In a statement to Variety, the actor said, “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.
They added, “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.”
‘The Flash’ Already Has A Sequel Script Written
According to Variety, “The Flash” already has a “finished” script for a sequel movie. The said script was reportedly penned by “Aquaman” screenwriter David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick and will feature appearances from Sasha Calle’s Supergirl and Michael Keaton’s Batman.
Despite the fan backlash faced by Miller, the actor has only received tremendous support from the movie’s showrunners, especially its director, Muschietti.
Muschietti even stated that if there were a second movie for “The Flash,” he had no plans to recast Miller.
“I don’t think there’s anyone that can play that character as well as they did. The other depictions of the character are great, but this particular vision of the character, they just excelled in doing it,” the director said on “The Discourse” podcast. He added, “It feels like a character that was made for them.”
