Grant Gustin Says He’d Play The Flash in James Gunn’s DCU — But Should He?

The Scarlet Speedster is back in the spotlight, sort of. At this year’s Fan Expo Denver, Grant Gustin, the longtime star of The Flash on The CW, responded to a fan’s question about James Gunn’s new DC Universe. When asked which character he’d want to play if invited into Gunn’s rebooted franchise, he replied without hesitation: “Flash.”

Naturally, the internet imploded. But as the news spreads, one thing’s becoming clear that fans are torn. Some are thrilled at the idea of Gustin returning to the role that defined his career. Others, like us, think it’s time for DC to truly start fresh, even if we love the guy.

Let’s unpack the fandom’s reaction, what Gustin actually said, and why bringing him back might not be the lightning strike James Gunn’s universe needs.

Yes, Grant Gustin Wants Back In as The Flash

Let’s start with the facts. At Fan Expo Denver in July 2025, Gustin was asked who he’d play if given a chance to join James Gunn’s new DCU. His answer? A confident, fan-pleasing "Flash."

This isn’t the first time he’s floated the idea either. Back in 2024, Gustin said in an interview that he’d absolutely return to the role if Gunn asked, adding that he trusts Gunn’s creative vision.

So the desire is real. The CW’s Barry Allen is still open for business. And the fans? Well… they’re split right down the middle.

The Fandom is Divided — And We Get It

There’s no denying that Grant Gustin was The Flash for an entire generation of fans. He brought heart, humor, and a sense of grounded heroism to a character that could’ve easily been all CGI and melodrama. His portrayal helped carry the Arrowverse for nearly a decade.

But here’s the thing: if you bring Grant Gustin into the new DCU, it opens a can of Speed Force worms.

Because if he returns… do we get Candice Patton back as Iris West too? Do we also bring in Cisco, Joe West, and the entire S.T.A.R. Labs crew? Because honestly, we can’t picture Gustin’s Flash without them. And if you strip all that away and just throw him into a brand-new continuity with a different cast and tone, well, it just feels off.

Worse, it invites non-stop comparisons between The Flash show and whatever movie Gunn puts together. Fans will inevitably debate who wore it better, what was missing, and why the show’s vibes didn’t translate to the big screen. We’ve seen this movie before, and we’re not eager for the rerun.

Our Take: It’s Time for a New Flash

Look, we love Grant Gustin. The man ran for nine seasons and somehow didn’t collapse from emotional exhaustion or speedster burnout. He deserves his flowers — and he’s already gotten them from legions of fans.

But James Gunn’s new DC Universe is supposed to be a clean slate. It’s about fresh casting, streamlined storytelling, and giving iconic characters a new voice for a new era. Rehiring the CW Flash, no matter how beloved, feels like a step backward when the whole point is to move forward.

Gunn’s already taking big swings. He’s cast a new Superman in David Corenswet, he’s introducing lesser-known characters like the Authority and Booster Gold, and he’s promising interconnected storytelling that doesn’t rely on nostalgia or confusion. Let’s give the next Barry Allen the same chance even if it means letting go of a version we’ve come to love.

Multiverse Fatigue is Real

Some fans have suggested that Gustin could appear as a multiverse variant. After all, Ezra Miller did in the Arrowverse Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover, and that scene earned major fan love (you know before we found out about Ezra). But let’s be honest the multiverse trick is getting old. Marvel’s worn it out, and DC leaned on it so hard that entire timelines broke.

Gunn seems committed to telling tighter, character-driven stories without constant universe-hopping. If that’s the case, there’s really no need to dip back into the CW well just because it’s familiar.

Let the Lightning Strike Somewhere New

Grant Gustin saying he wants to play The Flash in James Gunn’s DCU is a great soundbite. It’s sweet. It shows he’s still passionate about the character and proud of his work. And fans who spent years with his version of Barry Allen have every right to feel sentimental.

But if we’re being honest it’s time to let someone else take the baton.

Gustin had his moment, and it was a great one. Now the DCU needs a new Flash for a new era. One who can stand apart from what came before and chart a bold, fresh course without a decade’s worth of baggage trailing behind him like a lightning tail.

We’ll always cheer for Grant Gustin. Just maybe not in the next big-screen Flash suit.

Want more superhero takes and honest fandom breakdowns? Stick around. This multiverse of opinions is just getting started.