Grant Gustin is open to playing another superhero after Barry Allen, and The Flash’s star would be perfect for a few Marvel and DC roles. Following The Flash’s ending, Grant Gustin discussed playing other superheroes now that his run as Barry Allen is over, noting that he is a fan of superhero stories and sci-fi in general. In the Arrowverse, Grant Gustin played Barry Allen for 10 years and nine seasons of The Flash.
The Flash season 9 concluded the show and, presumably, the entire Arrowverse. Not many actors get to play a character as big as the Flash for an entire decade, which is why Grant Gustin is already part of DC’s history. Between meta-castings and non-Flash-related roles, here are 10 DC and Marvel characters Grant Gustin could play after Barry Allen.
10 Jay Garrick
After starring in the short-lived The Flash show from 1990 as Barry Allen, John Wesley Shipp got to play both Henry Allen and Jay Garrick in the Arrowverse. If Grant Gustin ever appears in James Gunn’s DC Universe, something similar could happen. Having Grant Gustin play Jay Garrick, the original Flash, in the new DC Universe would maintain this tradition that began with Wesley Shipp in the Arrowverse. Of course, Grant Gustin as Jay Garrick would be a meta-cast, which does not make it any less interesting. In the role of Jay Garrick, Grant Gustin would play the Flash again, just not Barry Allen.
Whether Ezra Miller will play Barry Allen in James Gunn’s new DC Universe is difficult to say. So far, no plans regarding the Flash – be it with Jay, Barry, or Wally – have been announced for the new franchise. Still, Gunn’s DC Universe slate features several lesser-known DC characters, including the Creature Commandos. As such, a period piece about the Justice Society featuring classic Golden Age DC heroes such as Jay Garrick would fit the upcoming slate just fine.
9 Ben Reilly
Similarities between the Flash and Spider-Man have always existed in the comics. In fact, The Flash season 1 felt heavily inspired by Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man movies. Grant Gustin could have made for a great Peter Parker, and The Flash star could still join the Marvel Universe as a version of Spider-Man. While Ben Reilly is a Peter Parker clone, the current Spider-Man films are dealing with the multiverse – both in live-action and in animation. Grant Gustin could play a multiversal Ben Reilly, either for the MCU or for Sony’s Spider-Man universe. During ACE Comic Con Seattle 2018 (via ACE Universe), Grant Gustin even said that he would like to play Spider-Man.
8 Adam Strange
When discussing other superhero properties that he would like to be involved with, Grant Gustin mentioned how he is a fan of sci-fi. The Flash combined superhero with science fiction in a very clever way, but there are a few other DC heroes who would perfectly match Gustin’s interest in sci-fi. For example, Adam Strange, the explorer of the unknown, would be a great DC role for Grant Gustin to play after The Flash. Adam Strange can teleport using his connection to the Zeta-Beams, allowing him this space explorer to go from one corner of the galaxy to another in the blink of an eye.
Despite having appeared in live-action only once in the Krypton series, Adam Strange is one of the most important cosmic DC characters. A Strange Adventures TV show by Greg Berlanti for HBO Max was once in development, but it was eventually scrapped. Now, with James Gunn expanding the scope of the DC Universe, Grant Gustin as Adam Strange in the new franchise would be an inspired choice. Gustin would replace the speed force powers with the Zeta-Beam technology.
7 The Doctor
James Gunn’s DC Universe slate includes The Authority, a movie about the WildStorm team of the same name. The Authority are among the most obscure DC characters who will be part of the DC Universe Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters, and which version of the team will be used remains to be seen. However, the Authority’s lineup usually includes the Doctor. Jeroen Thornedike, the first “the Doctor,” is a sorcerer who can reincarnate. The Doctor would be a very different DC character for Gustin to play compared to Barry Allen, plus it could make Grant Gustin a recurrent name in the new DC Universe.
6 The Pariah
Kei Mossa, the Pariah, is best known for his role in DC’s Crisis on Infinite Earths comic book event. The Pariah was arguably the most important character in Crisis on Infinite Earths, the massive multiverse event that changed the DC Universe and superhero comics as a whole. During his run as Barry Allen, Grant Gustin was involved with the DC’s multiverse for multiple years and starred in the Arrowverse’s Crisis on Infinite Earths adaptation. Therefore, it would be quite meta-casting to have Grant Gustin play the Pariah in the new DC Universe. Curiously, Tom Cavanagh, who plays the Reverse Flash, also played the Arrowverse’s Pariah in Crisis on Infinite Earths.
5 Alex Summers
Marvel Studios has yet to reveal its plans for the MCU’s X-Men reboot. However, if the MCU goes for an older, more experienced Cyclops, Grant Gustin could make for a great Havok. Alex Summers is usually depicted as Scott Summer’s younger brother, but some adaptations, namely the Fox X-Men movies, had Cyclops as the youngest sibling. While Alex Summers had a central role in the prequel X-Men movie timeline, there is still a lot that can be done with the character in a future X-Men reboot. If Grant Gustin is to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Havok would be an exciting choice.
4 Grifter
The WildStorm characters are an important part of DC Comics' history, yet most of them have never appeared in live-action. This will begin to change with the DC Universe’s The Authority. The fact that James Gunn’s DC franchise is adapting the Authority rather than using the Elite suggests that this new universe will incorporate other WildStorm characters. If so, the WildCATS will likely appear in the new DC Universe. Grant Gustin would make for a great Cole Cash, also known as Grifter. Grant Gustin as Grifter would allow the actor to join the DC Universe in a very different role from the Flash. Grifter could both lead the WildCATS and star in his own projects.
3 Psycho-Pirate
If Grant Gustin wants to join James Gunn’s DC Universe in a more meta-capacity, Psycho-Pirate would be an inspired choice. The Psycho-Pirate played a key role in DC’s Crisis on Infinite Earths and has recently been involved in other game-changing multiverse events. The Psycho-Pirate is one of the most fascinating DC characters, as he can control other peoples’ emotions while also affecting his own thoughts and feelings. There are two versions of Psycho-Pirate in DC Comics, Charles Halstead and Roger Hayden, the latter of which was in Crisis on Infinite Earths. If the new DC Universe ever adapts COIE, Grant Gustin as Roger Haydens would be genius casting.
2 Animal Man
Given how complex and interesting Animal Man is, it is surprising that Bernhard Baker never appeared in a DC movie. Now that James Gunn is bringing lesser-known DC superheroes into the DC Universe, chances for an Animal Man movie have never been higher. Grant Morrison’s Animal Man run was particularly fascinating, as Animal Man broke the fourth wall a few times and even got to meet Morrison. A good Animal Man adaptation could combine comedy and drama, which is something Gustin did very well throughout The Flash’s nine seasons. Grant Gustin as Animal Man could also be quite meta if this version of the character were to break the fourth wall.
1 Red Death
Grant Gustin could return to the DC Universe as Batman, sort of. Red Death is a multiversal version of Batman from a doomed universe where Bruce Wayne becomes obsessed with the speed force and murders Barry Allen to steal his powers. Essentially, Red Death can be described as “evil Batman meets the Flash.” Therefore, Grant Gustin as Red Death would allow The Flash star to play another DC speedster, now with a twist. Interestingly, Red Death appeared in The Flash season 9, in what was the first comics-to-screen adaptation of the villain. In the Arrowverse, Javicia Leslie’s Batwoman was the one to become Red Death.