Grant Gustin, the actor who defined the role of Barry Allen for an entire generation on television, has publicly stated that he wants to return as The Flash in filmmaker James Gunn's upcoming DC Universe (DCU). Despite being 36 years old, the actor expressed immense enthusiasm for suiting up as the Scarlet Speedster once again, noting that a massive contingent of superhero movie fans appears to share his sentiment.
The revelation has reignited standard fan debates over how the new cinematic franchise will handle its speedsters. It comes at a time when DC Studios is actively restructuring its comic book properties into a singular, unified narrative framework.
The Actor's Comments on Returning to the Speed Force
Speaking in a recent interview with the media outlet Awkward Puppets, Grant Gustin was asked directly about his willingness to join the newly formed cinematic universe orchestrated by DC Studios co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran.
"It feels like a lot of people [want that too]," Gustin said during the interview, acknowledging the continuous social media campaigns launched by his passionate fanbase.
The actor explicitly mentioned his age, 36, as a point of reflection, but made it clear that the passage of time has not diminished his attachment to the iconic hero. This echoes similar statements Gustin made at FAN EXPO Denver, where he answered with a definitive, single-word response when asked which DC character he would want to portray under Gunn's leadership: "Flash".
A Decade-Long Television Legacy
Gustin's history with the character is unparalleled in modern live-action superhero television. He originally donned the iconic red costume in 2014, leading The CW's television series The Flash for nine successful seasons spanning 184 episodes before the show concluded its run in 2023.
Under his stewardship, the show became the emotional anchor of the interconnected television franchise colloquially known as the Arrowverse. For nearly a decade, his portrayal received widespread acclaim for capturing the comic book hero's optimism, comedic timing, and emotional vulnerability, setting a high benchmark for live-action iterations of the character.
James Gunn’s Stance on a Multiverse Return
Despite the overwhelming enthusiasm from fans on digital platforms like IMDb and Instagram, top executives at DC Studios have maintained a more conservative public posture regarding legacy casting choices.
James Gunn has previously addressed the relentless rumors surrounding a potential television-to-film promotion for Gustin. Responding bluntly to a fan inquiry on social media earlier this year, Gunn sought to manage expectations by stating, "It happened on TV for 9 seasons," signaling his desire to establish clear boundaries between previous television iterations and the new cinematic timeline.
More recently, Gunn used social media channels to dismiss unverified reports that Gustin had already been officially cast as a multiverse variant of Barry Allen for an upcoming theatrical release. When questioned about these internet rumors, Gunn simply asked, “Please define 'decent rumor'?” accompanied by a laughing emoji, effectively closing the door on immediate confirmation.
However, the director has consistently praised Gustin’s core acting capability, publicly stating: "Grant is an incredibly talented guy... Of course I'd love to work with him at some point."
Gunn's admiration for Gustin's theatrical versatility was further cemented after viewing the actor's performance in the Broadway musical production of Water for Elephants.
How Age and Lore Factor Into Future Movie Plans
The discussion surrounding Gustin's age presents an interesting creative crossroad for DC Studios. At 36, Gustin is no longer playing the uninitiated, youthful forensic scientist who first discovered his powers a decade ago. However, comic book history offers several paths forward that could naturally accommodate a veteran actor.
Entertainment industry analysts note that if DC Studios chooses to bypass a traditional Barry Allen origin story, Gustin could theoretically portray an older, more seasoned superhero. This strategy would mirror recent casting choices made by the studio, such as selecting older actor Kyle Chandler to portray a veteran Hal Jordan in the upcoming HBO streaming series Lanterns.
Alternative creative avenues widely discussed by the fan community include:
- The Mentor Framework: Introducing Gustin as an experienced Barry Allen who passes the mantle of the Scarlet Speedster down to a younger hero, such as the fan-favorite character Wally West.
- Alternate Variants: Utilizing the properties of the cosmic "Speed Force" or alternate timelines to introduce Gustin as a cameo appearance or multi-universal variant without disrupting the main DCU continuity.
- Alternative Casting: Placing Gustin in an entirely different heroic or villainous role within the universe, allowing Gunn to capitalize on his talent while maintaining a completely fresh slate for the central Flash character.
What Happens Next for the Scarlet Speedster?
As of September 2026, DC Studios has confirmed that no standalone project centered on The Flash is currently in active development. Following the financial underperformance and complicated production cycle of the 2023 feature film starring Ezra Miller, the studio appears to be deliberately "holding a beat on development" to evaluate audience appetite and establish its primary heroic roster first.
Instead, the franchise is introducing the mythology surrounding the speedster's world through auxiliary projects. This includes the recently confirmed true-crime television documentary series The People Versus Gorilla Grodd, which will explore classic primary villains associated with Central City lore.
While a formal contract or official casting announcement remains unconfirmed, the mutual respect between Gustin and Gunn ensures that the door remains open for potential future collaborations. Whether Gustin will ever suit up in the signature red armor again or transition into a brand-new role entirely depends on the evolving overarching blueprint of the new DC Universe.
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