Ezra Miller’s involvement in the upcoming film The Flash has been overshadowed by their personal and legal troubles. However, Warner Bros. has adopted a strategic approach to promote the film while minimizing Miller’s presence in the press. This move aims to shift the focus onto the movie itself and its other notable cast members.

In recent years, Miller faced a series of arrests and negative headlines, including a highly publicized incident in Iceland where they were captured on video trespassing and choking a woman. Miller later apologized for their behavior, due to “complex mental health issues.” These incidents raised concerns across fans about Miller’s ability to stay out of trouble and their impact on The Flash that they had been a part of since 2014.

Warners has strategically downplayed Miller’s presence in the film’s promotion, instead relying on director Andy Muschietti, producer Barbara Muschietti, and Supergirl actor Sasha Calle as ambassadors. The studio has also pursued endorsements from celebrities and conducted extensive advance screenings to generate buzz, such as Stephen King who went to Twitter to rave about the movie. 

I got an advance screening of THE FLASH today. As a rule I don’t care a lot for superhero movies, but this one is special. It’s heartfelt, funny, and eye-popping. I loved it.

— Stephen King (@StephenKing) May 17, 2023

Rival studios have noticed Warners’ extensive spending towards promoting heavily during the NBA playoffs. Others have noticed the heavy promotion towards Michael Keaton’s Batman in the film while not shedding as much light towards the other characters, specifically The Flash. An executive from another studio was noted as saying:

They are not promoting Flash as a character because they can’t

As the film’s premiere approaches theaters on June 16th, Warners is poised to navigate potential challenges arising from Miller’s troubled past. The absence of late-night talk shows due to the ongoing writers’ strike may prove advantageous, sparing the film’s cast from uncomfortable questions about Miller.

Warners is navigating a complex situation in promoting The Flash while effectively handling the challenges associated with Miller’s controversial past. The studio’s strategic shift towards emphasizing the film’s merits and the remaining cast members demonstrates their commitment to ensuring its success.