The Flash (2023) Budget
The Flash burst onto the movie scene in June 2023 with a disappointing box office of $55 million and a gross worldwide of $262 million as of 7/12/23 (against a budget of $200-220 million and projected gross of $300 million worldwide). Despite that, diehard fans were and still are all a-buzz. And with good reason. This is one FUN movie! In the film, Barry Allen uses his Speed Force to run back in time and save his mother, only to create a world with evil General Zod and no superheroes. Barry’s only hope to defeat Zod lies with a retired Batman, another Barry, and an imprisoned Kryptonian. What’s not to like? See it!
The Flash Characters & Cast
If you’re a fan of the superhero TV series The Flash that ran for nine seasons from 2014 to 2023, you might be disappointed to learn that the 2023 movie does not star Grant Gustin, Candice Patton, Danielle Panabaker, and your other favorites from the show. But you’ll be thrilled that it does feature a huge cast of superstars that Ezra Miller as The Flash / Barry Allen encounters in his time-traveling adventures to change the past. They range from Michael Keaton as Batman, Sasha Calle as Supergirl, and Michael Shannon as General Zod to appearances by such favorites as Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Jeremy Irons, and even Henry Cavill, Nicholas Cage, George Clooney, Christopher Reeve, and Adam West! Check out the entire cast https://www.entertainmentearth.com/news/the-flash-movie-vs-tv-cast-characters of both the series and movie!
Barry Allen / The Flash – Ezra Miller
In the thrilling 2023 movie, Ezra Miller plays lead character Barry Allen / The Flash, based on the DC Comics superhero. A multidimensional character (in more ways than one), Barry is a very smart and determined guy, but he’s also a bit insecure. In spite of his tragic past, he remains funny, talkative, and optimistic, and he brings all these characteristics to his superhero persona, The Flash. In short, Ezra Miller’s portrayal of the character as he travels back in time to prevent his mother’s death, with unintended consequences, led to positive reviews and a happy fandom. See for yourself!
Batman / Bruce Wayne – Ben Affleck
You’ve seen Ben Affleck as Batman in various films set in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), including Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. In 2023’s The Flash, Affleck reprises as the original version of Bruce Wayne / Batman from Barry’s timeline and leader of the Justice League – a character that has a substantial emotional impact on Barry, perhaps because their mothers were both killed. Fans of Ben Affleck may feel this is his best portrayal of The Bat ever. See what you think.
Batman / Bruce Wayne – Michael Keaton
Remember Michael Keaton’s portrayal of Batman in Batman and Batman Returns? Of course, you do. Well, he’s back in the 2023 film The Flash! When Barry Allen journeys to the past, there are no other superheroes to turn to for help. So, The Flash coaxes a vastly different Batman out of retirement to rescue an imprisoned Kryptonian… but he’s not exactly the Batman Barry anticipated. “You wanna get nuts? Let’s get nuts.” See Michael Keaton in this movie!
General Zod – Michael Shannon
Apparently, every superhero movie requires a big bad baddie, and let’s be honest, don’t we all love a good villain? So it is with the 2023 film The Flash. In this case, the villainous villain is one Kara Zor-El / Supergirl alternate-timeline General Zod, a Kryptonian general with Superman-like powers, played by Michael Shannon. This dastardly dude is one formidable foe, in the present and past, and one you don’t want to miss the chance to cheer or jeer in The Flash!
Iris West – Kiersey Clemons
Lovely actress Kiersey Clemons, well known from previous roles and as Iris West in Zack Snyder’s Justice League, turns in another stellar performance in The Flash from 2023, directed by Andy Muschietti. In her role as the journalist for the Picture News in The Flash’s hometown and the love of Barry Allen’s life, she’s a hero in her own right. After all, it takes a special kind of person to keep up with the Fastest Man Alive! But Iris West is more than up to the challenge, as you’ll see in the film.
Kara Zor-El / Supergirl – Sasha Calle
Supergirl? Kara Zor-El? However you know her, you love her. And that’s true of Sasha Calle’s part as the powerful Kryptonian with powers, abilities, and costume similar to Superman (her cousin) in The Flash. Sasha is the first Latina to fill this role, chosen from a group of more than 425 actresses, and she performs admirably. The rescued Kara Zol-El proves vital in the story as she flies Barry into a storm where he’s struck by lightning, restoring his powers. Together, Supergirl, The Flash, and Batman fight villain Zod to the end. Interested? See the film!
Henry Allen – Ron Livingston
Along with preventing his mother Nora’s death altogether, one of Barry Allen’s missions is to prove his father’s innocence in that death. In 2023’s The Flash movie, Ron Livingston replaces Billy Crudup who previously played Henry Allen in Justice League and Zack Snyder’s Justice League. You might know Livingston from Dolly Parton’s Straight Talk, Office Space, Band of Brothers, or other films or TV series. Is Barry successful in his quest? You’ll just have to watch this exciting film to the very end to find out!
Alfred – Jeremy Irons
We all know who Alfred Pennyworth is – Bruce Wayne’s longtime and loyal personal butler… and more. Very perceptive and surprisingly adept with electronics, Alfred provides a playful devil’s advocate to Wayne and proves once again to be a valuable ally in the 2023 superhero film The Flash. The inimitable Jeremy Irons brings Alfred to life as he has before in the DCEU in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Justice League, and the director’s cut of that same film. Any Jeremy Irons performance is worth the look, and this is no exception.
Tom Curry – Temuera Morrison
New Zealand born actor Temuera Morrison splendidly portrayed Aquaman’s father in Aquaman and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, and he does so again in The Flash. In this case, Morrison is an alternate version of Tom Curry from the 2013 Barry Allen timeline when Barry tries to find out if the remaining members of the Justice League are alive and well in this alternate-universe timeline. Tom breaks the news to Barry that Arthur Curry (Aquaman) doesn’t even exist in this new world! Yeah, it’s complicated… but it is fun and exciting! You’ll see.
Patty Spivot – Saoirse-Monica Jackson
You might know Patty Spivot from the The Flash TV series where her character was Barry Allen’s love interest and a police officer with her sights set on becoming a CSI. In the 2023 The Flash movie, Patty is a coworker of Barry Allen along with Albert Desmond in the Central City Police Department. She’s portrayed by Irish-born actress Saoirse-Monica Jackson, perhaps best known for portraying Erin Quinn in the sitcom Derry Girls. Jackson fans don’t want to miss her in this film!
Nora Allen – Maribel Verdú
The 2023 The Flash movie revolves around Barry Allen’s adventurous journey into the past to prevent his mother’s murder and exonerate his father. His mother was Nora Allen, and Barry’s father Henry was framed and convicted of her killing. In the film, Nora Allen is portrayed by renowned Spanish actress Maribel Verdú, the recipient of numerous accolades throughout her career. Verdú has appeared in more than 60 movies, the majority in Spanish, as well as numerous TV shows. If you love her, you’ll love her in The Flash.
The Flash Controversies & Delays
Obviously, the making of any movie requires an enormous amount of work and the overcoming of foreseen and unforeseen obstacles… and sometimes, controversy. Bringing The Flash to the silver screen was certainly no exception! Development of a film about The Flash began way back in the 1980s and continued through 2014 and into the DCEU when Ezra Miller was cast for the part. Then things got interesting, with multiple directors coming and going until Andy Muschietti finally made it happen. But that wasn’t all. Post-production setbacks, the COVID-19 pandemic, and controversies surrounding Ezra Miller caused further delays and frustrations until The Flash finally premiered on June 12, 2023. It was a long hard road for the Scarlet Speedster, but well worth the trip, as anyone who’s seen the film can attest. Check it out for yourself!
