Ezra Miller could be gone in a flash

Other Warner Bros. films are being canceled in a flash. Why isn’t that the case with “The Flash,” too? (Image: The Direct)

As of Thursday last week, production company Warner Bros. is currently weighing three options for the upcoming film, “The Flash” starring Ezra Miller. In light of their violent and erratic behavior, they may 1) wait for Miller to seek professional help, 2) release the superhero film anyway, but refuse to feature Miller in promotional materials and in future “Flash” films, or 3) cancel it altogether.

What did they do?

Well, a lot.

Miller first made headlines for dicey behavior in April 2020. In a video, they were caught choking a woman and throwing her to the ground outside of a bar.

But that was only the beginning. Their violent behavior continued this year when, in March, police in Hilo, Hawaii were called to a scene where the 29-year old actor took part in a sidewalk dispute and refused to leave the area.

On a separate incident in Hilo, Miller became agitated by patrons singing at a karaoke bar, and proceeded to yell obscenities and lunge at them. They were charged with harassment and disorderly conduct.

In April, they were charged with second-degree assault after they reportedly threw a chair at a woman during a get-together.

Shortly after, allegations against them grew more concerning. In June, parents of 18-year old Tokata Iron Eyes obtained a protective order against Miller for allegedly physically and emotionally abusing the teen using violence, drugs, and intimidation. It was also suspected that she was groomed and kidnapped by the actor, and that she has not had access to her phone in months.

Tokata herself, however, has rejected these allegations via Instagram, saying “There are countless missing and murdered indigenous peoples, I am not one them.”

But the statement isn’t exactly reassuring, especially once other similar accusations of abuse and violence followed. In the same month, a 12-year old child was granted an order of protection against Miller after they were described to act inappropriately towards the child, as well as menace their mother and neighbor.

Also in June, they were accused of housing three children, aged 1 to 5, and their mother at their reportedly drug and gun-filled farm in Vermont.

Lastly, just last week, they were charged with felony burglary after stealing alcohol from a private residence in Vermont.

Immunity from internet judgement

Out of all the allegations, it was the recent alcohol incident that seemed to prompt DC and Warner Bros. to reconsider the superhero film that they will star in.

Many social media users, on the other hand, have been condemning Miller since 2020. Their name trended on Twitter, along with the hashtag #ezramillerisoverparty, numerous memes, and other alleged unpleasant encounters with them.

And yet, Ezra Miller isn’t over (yet?).

The chance for the now-controversial “Flash” film to push through baffles DC fans after other productions like “Batgirl” were dropped so easily. The anticipated “Batgirl” was already being test-screened when it was suddenly canceled due to tax purposes and a big merger that didn’t put the film in the company’s priorities.

“Canceling ‘Batgirl’ because it isn’t a ‘big event film’ but keeping ‘The Flash’ after all the Ezra Miller news is a WILD choice,” one Twitter user said.

The same could be said for the sequel of “Scoob!” on HBO Max, "Scoob!: Holiday Haunt.” The film was an animated prequel about the origins of Mystery, Inc., including how Shaggy and Scooby-Doo first meet.

The fandom chokehold

While it can be argued that “Batgirl” and “Scoob!” weren’t projected to make it as big as “The Flash,” it’s interesting to see what makes Miller still so marketable despite the sheer amount of issues they’ve caused. 

Prior to the controversies, they were known for their roles in “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” and “Justice League.” Needless to say, they’ve been a recognizable figure for a while now. 

Maybe a part of the actor’s appeal is in their androgynous appearance and flamboyant style, a creative expression of their queerness. And who doesn’t love an attractive, androgynous white person who doesn’t care for gender roles? They must be written by a woman, right? 

Unfortunately, the internet’s obsession with the White Boy of the Month might sometimes enable celebrities’ problematic behavior. Well, Miller is technically nonbinary and doesn’t identify as a man, but they still receive special treatment.

And production companies know this. Despite how many allegations they’ve faced, they’ll still somehow be given a platform because some fans might think they could do no wrong. 

Sadly, gender non-conformity doesn’t cancel out a history of violence. People of all genders can definitely display problematic behaviors and should be held accountable for them. 

After the talks about a possible cancellation of “The Flash,” Miller provided a statement acknowledging their complex mental health issues, which have led to their troubling actions in recent years. They stated that they are now seeking treatment for them, and hopefully reparations can be made in the future.

Whether this is a PR move or a genuine step towards accountability, you be the judge.