If you are a fan of the character Barry Allen, also known as the Flash, you likely have gotten to know the Grant Gustin version on the CW’s hit show “The Flash.” But Gustin will not be the only version of Barry we will know over the course of the next few years. In 2017, Ezra Miller will get to show his stuff as the Scarlet Speedster in Warner Brothers’ big film “Justice League”.
And one year later, Miller will get to star in his own solo film, appropriately named “The Flash”, as of this moment at least. And news has recently broken that actress Kiersey Clemons is set to star in the film as Barry’s main love interest, Iris West. Fans of the tv show already know the character quite well, and comic book readers certainly will know who she is. You can read more about Clemons here.
Now given the film is set for a March 16, 2018, release date, more casting announcements may still be several months away. But the Iris West role being cast now could mean she will show up in the currently filming and previously mentioned “Justice League” film. So if any other key Flash roles are to appear in that film, they should be announced shortly as well.
So who are some other potential key characters who could be appearing in the film, and who are some potential actors to play them? Let’s take a look.
Reverse Flash (Eobard Thawne) or Zoom (Hunter Zolomon)
Now only one of these two will likely have a chance of being in the film since they both possess the same power as the title character himself. Both men would serve as the main villain in all likelihood, and both can go toe-to-toe in a race with Flash.
Both characters have also appeared on the tv show. So fans have a familiarity with both men. Both men would likely be portrayed in their 30’s, intelligent and very deceptive. This role would likely go to a rather well-known actor who is in either his 30’s or 40’s. So with that said, a solid candidate to play either man would be Christian Bale.
Now hear me out on this one. Our former Batman is 42 today, making him 44 at the release of the film. We know he is capable of playing a multitude of roles. And one quality he is very good at portraying is intelligence. Either of these characters is going to be highly intelligent and have themselves a nice lab. Sound a lot like Batman doesn’t it?
He has had his run as a good guy, so now it is time for him to go full bad guy on us. He has the connection to the DC properties obviously, and that tells us he is not opposed to superhero films. This role would only require him for one movie, and there is no need for a multi-picture deal. So when all is said and done, I want to see Bale suiting up once again. But this time, he will be going against the Flash instead of the Joker or Bane.
Fred Chyre
Every Barry Allen needs someone on the police force who will be of assistance when needed. Fred Chyre is a veteran police officer who will likely be depicted as rugged and has quite a bit of experience under his belt. He is good at his job but tends to have some anger issues. So he is surely a rough character who means well in the end.
As far age goes, he will be Barry’s elder. He may be older, but he needs to be someone who can be seen as a friend to Barry, as the two do have a pretty decent relationship with one another. They could very easily go with an actor who is in his 50’s for the role, and even 60’s if the actor can pass for being in his 40’s.
An actor who could fit this role quite nicely would be Colin Farrell. If you want a rugged, troubled character, Farrell has to be at the top of the list. Farrell has played this role countless times before, and he does so very convincingly. So let him do it again.
Add in the fact he has the connection to Miller with this year’s “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”, and you have even more reason to believe he could land the role. He brings some name recognition to the film as well, which never hurts.
Darryl Frye
Just like every Flash needs a friend on the police force, he also needs a father figure. On television, that role is Joe West, the father of Iris. But I think this is the perfect time to deviate from the television show, and go with the original character who stepped up to be Barry’s father figure.
Darryl Frye is essentially Flash’s version of Batman’s Jim Gordon. He also happens to be a high-ranking member of the Central City police department. So he would play a very crucial part in the film, not only as the man who brings Barry into his home but also likely his boss. I could see the film deviating slightly here as this is essentially the same story that has played out on television with Joe West, but that is what happens when you have two takes on an iconic character.
So we are going to need an actor who age wise just needs to be old enough to be a high-ranking police officer, and also serve as a father figure. So again an actor in his 40’s or 50’s is likely a good bet. My pick for the role would be Dylan McDermott.
McDermott has the connection to Miller, as both had roles in 2012’s “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”. He could certainly pull off the role of an experienced police officer who has risen through the ranks. He will be in his upper 50’s when the film is released, and certainly, has the acting chops to pull off the role. He is a big enough name for the role, but not too big that he will demand any kind of huge payday either. He would be a perfect fit for the film.
Captain Cold (Leonard Snart)
One of Flash’s most well-known baddies who does not possess super-speed is Leonard Snart, better known as Captain Cold. Wentworth Miller is doing a great job in the role on television right now. He is a thief first and foremost. He is also extremely intelligent, given he has built himself a freeze gun.
I could see the film pairing him with Eobard Thawne, with Thawne building Start his freeze gun. If this is true, a younger version of Smart is certainly a possibility. Making him just a bit older than Flash would be smart, and it would allow them to battle it out over the course of multiple films. He can become the iconic villain of the franchise if he is in his upper 20’s or low 30’s.
With all of that said, my pick for Captain Cold is Miles Teller. Teller is only five years older than Miller, and he can supply some comedy from a villainous role. I do not expect the Fantastic Four to move forward with its sequel, which would free up Teller. He has had his run as a good guy in Mr. Fantastic, so let us see what he can do as a baddie instead.
His role in the Divergent series proves he can play a character that relies on deceit. I could see him and Miller facing off for years to come.
Jay Garrick
Jay Garrick is the original Flash. He has had a slightly confusing role on the television show, and fans deserve a more straightforward take on the character. I do not expect him to have a large role in the film in regards to screen time, but a pivotal cameo could be in the works.
When Barry has his back against the wall, maybe it is the man who first was blessed with super-speed can be of assistance to him. Bring in an elder Jay Garrick. He would be well past his days of fighting crime, but he can still be used for some words of wisdom.
So we need an older actor with some serious name recognition would be required. My pick would be none other than Dustin Hoffman. Rain man himself provides the perfect name to throw onto a film that requires very little from the role. He would only be needed for a few scenes, and he could help draw some extra fans into the seats. He is the type of experienced big name that I think they would seek if they choose to include the role in the film.
Conclusion
Now none of these roles are even confirmed for the film yet, as there are very few details about the film that we do know. But these are some of the more likely characters who could be set to make an appearance alongside Miller and Clemons in the film.
One more bonus fan cast I will throw out there is Ron Perlman as either King Shark or Grodd. Both are large human-like animals who pack a serious punch as a villain. Perlman would be perfect for either one if the film decided to utilize either baddie as the film’s villain muscle.
Who do you want to see in the film? Tell us in the comments!