The premiere of Peacemaker Season 2 confirmed that James Gunn is building a new Justice League, even if they’re not yet using that exact moniker. So far, Gunn’s casting in the nascent DC Universe has been spot on — his picks for Clark Kent/Superman and Lois Lane have been widely praised, along with supporting superhero characters like Guy Gardener’s Green Lantern, Mister Terrific, and Hawkgirl. As the franchise grows, we’re all eagerly awaiting to see who joins the DCU in more iconic roles in the pantheon like Wonder Woman, Batman, and the Flash.
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Barry Allen is typically the incarnation of the Flash we see on screen big or small. Apart from being the fastest man alive, Barry is usually portrayed as affable, geeky, and having a mischievous and wry sense of humor. Of course, it will come down to how Gunn scripts the character that will determine who’s best to pick up the Flash’s mantel, but we feel these three actors all possess the right looks, credits, and vibe to do Barry Allen justice.
3) Austin Abrams
If you think Austin Abrams looks familiar, it’s not just you. He was part of the ensemble cast of Zach Cregger recent horror megahit Weapons, where he brought a compelling amount of heart and complexity to the role of the homeless drug addict James. In a role that could have so easily been a trope, Abrams brought a palpable vulnerability, sweetness, and humor to James, convincing us that he could easily handle Barry’s nerdiness and Gunn’s signature edgy humor without sacrificing any of the hero’s sincerity and integrity.
At 29, Abrams can grow into and with the role of Barry. Plus, he has a list of formidable credits and co-stars to his name. Abrams is a series regular on HBO Max phenomenon Euphoria, he’s recurred on major shows like The Walking Dead and This is Us, and he starred opposite George Clooney and Brad Pitt in the film Wolfs. Therefore, there’s no doubt Abrams can hold his own with a major director like Gunn, and his upcoming role in Cregger’s Resident Evil movie means he’s poised for more blockbuster roles like the Flash.
2) Harris Dickinson
Since his breakout role in the indie darling Beach Rats in 2017, Harris Dickinson has established himself as a star on the rise. Dickinson possesses an impressive range with all the necessary chops to play Barry. He’s no stranger to action after starring in the Kingsman prequel The King’s Man, plus he lit up the screen in the dark comedy Triangle of Sadness as a directionless model/influencer, and gave a scintillating performance as Nicole Kidman’s bold, dangerously charismatic colleague in last year’s erotic thriller Babygirl. We know that Dickinson wouldn’t just bring Barry’s wit, awkwardness, and brilliance to the screen, he’s the kind of actor who could find something new and fresh to bring to the character, similar to Corenswet and Nicholas Hoult’s portrayals of their respective comic book icons.
Dickinson’s also on the cusp of 30 and stands at broad-shouldered 6’2″, meaning he’s the right age and has the right build to play the speedster superhero. Though he may be known for broodier indie roles, we’d love to see what a comedic filmmaker like Gunn could bring out of Dickinson as the Flash.
1) Jack Quaid
If Gunn wants his Barry Allen to be total nerd and completely lovable, he need look no further than Jack Quaid. First off, Quaid is no stranger to superheroes, beloved franchises, and DC Comics. He rose to fame on the R-rated superhero satire The Boys and has played Ensign Brad Boimler in the Star Trek franchise in both animation and live-action. Plus, Quaid even voiced the Man of Steel himself in the animated series My Adventures with Superman. Although he lost out on the role in live-action to David Corenswet, Quaid’s nice guy appeal is inherent to Barry’s character, and if you ask us, he’s even better suited for the Flash than Superman.
Though he’s slightly older than Corenswet, of the three actors listed here, Quaid’s potential version of the Flash would most likely be a friend to his Superman. Quaid is also the biggest name on the list, yet he’s still a transformative enough actor to be able to disappear into a role while still having enough carry a solo film or series, should Gunn have one in store for the hero.
Who are your fancasts for The Flash? Let us know in the comments!
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