And ‘The Flash’ Might Be… Neil Patrick Harris?

Neil Patrick Harris as The Flash

Ready for a wild rumor? How about Neil Patrick Harris being pursued to play DC comic book superhero The Flash? The last we had heard, Ryan Reynolds was in the running (get it?) for the role, but with the upcoming Wolverine movie it seems like his superhero destiny may be tied up as Deadpool.

But this, if true, is pretty much out of left field.

The Flash has been on again, off again and now on again with the recent addition of a screenwriter. We first mentioned it back in 2004 when David Goyer was supposedly going to write the script (he went on to write a little movie you may have heard of: The Dark Knight). Then there was nothing heard for three years until the announcement that Goyer was not writing the movie, but that Shawn Levy was attached to direct, then comedy director David Dobkin. That news quietly faded away and nothing was heard until earlier this month, when word surfaced that Dan Mazeau was attached to write the screenplay.

Now comes possible “insider” news that Neil Patrick Harris and possibly Scott Porter (according to ThinkMcFlyThink.com) are being looked at to play the Scarlet Speedster. Scott played the young Rex Racer in Speed Racer and has a recurring role on Friday Night Lights.

And of course who doesn’t know who Neil Patrick Harris is? For a 35 year old guy, he seems like he’s been around forever… starting out years ago as Doogie Howser, M.D. and then appearing in Starship Troopers (yes, he was in that). After that he bounced around doing one-shot appearances in TV episodes and a lot of cartoon voiceover work including Justice League and Spider-Man.

But what brought him back into popularity was his wild character in Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle, which led to a leading role on the sitcom How I Met Your Mother. Finally, most recently he played a supervillain in the cult hit Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog.

Anyway, it’ll be interesting to see if this pans out – no doubt he could pull it off if he buffed up and I think he’s got the acting chops to do it.

Again, keep in mind this is FAR from confirmed – but what do you think about the possibility of Neil Patrick Harris as The Flash?

Tags: the flash

Reverend

I guess I could see him as Wally, but he'd definitely have to beef up.

Usually I'd call it a little far-fetched, but after seeing photos from the Prince of Persia film, anything can happen.

Rev

Mike

Harris definitely has the charisma to pull off being Wally West. And it's the Flash, so he really wouldn't need to bulk up that much anyway.

Danielle

NPH is in fine shape as is:

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t117/cowboyh...

ken

i dont know if i like this very much. im not sure who i would like, but i dont like this, ill have to think about it. what about sean william scott? thats only off the top of my head.

ken

chris evans?

David Hasselbach

Could work.

After all, Neil Patrick Harris is God.
He's the new Bruce Campbell ... he could do anything. Better. Than. You.

@ken

Seann William Scott could work, too.
He's taking roles that are beneath him IMO; turning towards the superhero genre might be a good idea.

David Hasselbach

@ken again. (hm ... rhymey...)

Yes, Chris Evans should work too, but I'd rather see him doing other stuff.
The Human Torch doing The Flash ... doesn't seem right.

ken

yea, he should stay away from other heroes, but i figure seens as hes in push, what the hell, why not? lol.

Jake

Are you kidding me?

This is perfect casting in my opinion.

NPH has the charisma, comic timing, and look.

I feel that he is the embodiment of Wally West.

I'm just happy they're looking into someone with a slightly snarky/comedic background for The Flash. After the news I heard from WB trying to make all of their properties darker and more serious ala The Dark Knight, I was worried that someone with a comic background wouldn't be in the running.

Go with it.

HuggyBear

I see him as Flash.

ken

i dont know, i just think "doogie" when i see him and that kills anything he ever does for me, cus its not doogie. I guess if i got over that it might work for me.

Mike

Oh man, this would be awesome, NPH would rock as Barry or Wally :D

Bill Blume

I'll admit that my initial reaction is, "Neil Patrick Harris???" But the more I think about it, the more I really do like the idea. I've never been all that crazy about the Flash, but with someone like him in the role, who can do some decent acting, I'd consider seeing that film. That's the kind of casting you need for a superhero film, actors who draw in people who might not normally be interested in the comic book character.

I'll also admit that I very much don't want to see the traditional red tights for the Flash. Sorry, but I never really thought it looked all that good on the speedster's physique even in the comic book. There are just some things on another man I really don't want to see.

As for Chris Evans, I think he works well enough for the Human Torch, but the idea of sitting through a film with him as the lead just makes me cringe. Pardon the pun, but he seems more flash than substance.

INK

I agree with most everyone else, NPH is hilarious and fit the role of Flash perfectly. As others said he would be the flash, not Hulk, so he really doesn't need to beef up maybe just be cut.

Andy S

Ugh, I'm not sure who'd I would want to play The Flash, but Harris just doesn't seem the right choice to me. Maybe it's the whole Doogie Howser thing, but I just don't SEE him in the role. Not that I have any idea who would be better...

SC

I wish people would forget the Doogie Howser connection - that was 18 years ago! He's Barney on "How I Met Your Mother" and Dr. Horrible now (as well as having done tons of other stuff, including an awesome bizarro-universe version of himself in the "Harold & Kumar" movies) and he is an absolutely fantastic actor with excellent comic timing.

Also, he's pretty buff these days - just Google pictures from the "How I Met Your Mother" episode titled "Naked Man". He has a pretty nice body and I think he'd work well as The Flash.

I think NPH would be fantastic for this role and I hope he gets it. I want to see him get offered all kinds of big movie projects cuz he's such a talented actor.

Andy

Kyle Gallner = The best Flash ever :)

Kyle

NPH did the voice of Barry Allen in the animated movie Justice League: New Frontier. I can see him doing this.

Forrester

I love this idea. He's so perfect I couldn't imagine anyone else doing it. I want to see this film now. We need a real superhero movie with some real laughs. Superman Returns has been showing on TV... god what a bore fest.

INK

SC=NPH :)

huntthejest

Reynolds is definitely Deadpool, and I always had preferred him as Green Arrow-not the Flash(his ability to grow a beard + him being married to my No. 1 choice for Black Canary helped) but NPH as Flash? He's got my vote. Maybe he could go reddish blonde for the sake of continuity, but he'd be awesome. And then toss in John Wesley Shipp as Uncle Barry. Sweet.

redandjonny

How could you writhe an article about NPH and not mention Dr. Horrible?!?!?!?!?

Matt

Harris did the voice of the Flash in Justice League: The New Frontier. Maybe this rumor just spawned from that?

NPH Fan

Are you kidding NPH is a great actor, and I would buy a ticket to see him as Flash opening night.

don

I think this would be great. NPH is funny and I think Barney would also think it is awe.....wait for it.......some!

Alberto

Dear God please please make NPH the flash

James

You left out Patrick's latest and greatest role in Joss Weddon's "Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog" where he plays a supervillain.

Vic Holtreman

Hey gang,

So sorry for omitting "Dr. Horrible." I've updated the post with that info. Believe it or not, I haven't seen that and that's why it slipped my mind. :-P

Vic