The highly anticipated superhero film The Flash, which debuts on June 16, has been patiently awaited. Since Ezra Miller was chosen for the main position more than eight years ago, they have been detained several times for disorderly behaviour, physical assault, and burglary, among other offences. They have also been accused of conducting a cult and grooming kids.
Last August, the actor—who identifies as they/them—felt forced to publicly explain their actions: “Having recently gone through a time of intense crisis, I now understand that I am suffering from complex mental health issues, and I have started receiving ongoing treatment.” I sincerely regret alarming and upsetting anyone with my previous actions. I’m determined to putting in the effort required to return to a stage of my life that is safe, secure, and productive.
Despite the uproar, Miller’s co-stars and other collaborators have been encouraging. Actor Michael Shannon has called Miller “lovely,” while DC Films co-chair James Gunn has praised The Flash as “probably one of the greatest super hero movies ever made.” Critics are also admirers, particularly of Miller’s portrayal of two different characters thus far.
Here are some comments made about them by Miller’s colleagues in the entertainment industry:
Co-star of The Flash and the DC Extended Universe, Michael Shannon
“I thought Ezra was lovely — very kind to me when I was there,” Shannon said to Vanity Fair in May. “I usually give people a lot of leeway in this field because there are a lot of individuals in this business that have difficulties, even though it’s tough to talk about. Moreover, some people like greater privacy than others. I feel bad for anyone who is targeted while in the public eye. Even if it is justified, the situation is still terrible.
Kiersey Clemons, a DCEU and Asking for It co-star
The Flash was “a really great movie,” Clemons told the Hollywood Reporter in February. She also mentioned how tough it was to witness the media’s portrayal of Miller and their mental health difficulties.
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“What people forget is that a lot of people go through that, but they don’t do it with the whole world watching,” Clemons added. Although it goes with the territory, it’s been difficult to witness that since it’s so unjust.
Jason Momoa, a DCEU co-star
When the first trailer for Miller’s movie, Aquaman, debuted, the star of the film shared it. “I’m so excited and proud of this movie,” he said as the caption. Ezra, I adore you and can’t wait to witness this aloha.
The Flash’s director Andy Muschietti
As he marketed the film at CinemaCon in April, Muschietti gushed over his starring man: “They are a fantastic actor. One of the greatest performers I’ve ever worked with gave me the opportunity to collaborate. They contribute the humour and the passion. They begged me to let them do all the tricks.
Dalland’s director Mary Harron
After watching their 2012 film The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Harron knew she wanted to star Miller in her 2022 biopic on the life of artist Salvador Dal, but she encountered resistance.
According to Harron, “at that point, the producers and everyone else were saying, ‘Well, you can’t cast them because they’re not a big enough star,'” she recalled to Vanity Fair in August 2022. “And then a year later they were too famous and had to withdraw because they were cast in Fantastic Beasts, which was followed by The Flash. I found it unfortunate because they are such talented actors. Why not have them portray a young Salvador Dali? Regardless of how busy they are. In a week, we can gather them and shoot them.
Harron sought for Miller because Miller possessed the same “tremendous focus and intensity” as Ben Kingsley, who played the artist’s elder self.
Even when others abruptly quit the project due to scheduling delays and the epidemic, they remained steadfastly committed for years, according to Harron.
Author Grant Morrison of The Flash
Morrison, who collaborated with Miller on a different draught of The Flash, said to Rolling Stone in June 2022, “I know they’ve had these troubles. “I haven’t talked to them in a while, and we last spoke a very, very long time ago. I’m just able to state that it’s not the person I know. Like everyone else, I’ve heard stories. I’m just not sure. Almost everyone’s communication with Ezra was severed for a spell. It’s not who they used to be. They were in no way combative. I simply felt Ezra was a really gifted young man with a high level of intelligence. All I can say is that I had no idea they had that side to them.
Paul Austerberry, The Flash’s production designer
Austerberry praised Miller’s acting in the DC film they co-wrote as being “superb.” Once they watch it, “people will forget” about their off-screen troubles, he told the CBC in April.
Directors of DC Studios James Gunn and Peter Safran
Despite everything that has transpired behind the scenes, Gunn described The Flash, in which Miller stars, as “probably one of the greatest super hero movies ever made,” according to Variety.
Meanwhile, Safran emphasised that Miller was “completely committed to their recovery” and that they would speak with the franchise about their future “when they feel like they’re ready.”