In a particularly stunning display of Hollywood’s self-important arrogance, The Flash production designer Paul Austerberry has dismissed the idea that star Ezra Miller’s laundry list of legal troubles will have any effect on the film’s box office performance, as, in his opinion, audiences will be quick to forget the actor has done anything wrong the moment they appear on-screen.
Austerberry, who has also served as the production designer on such films as The Shape of Water and It Chapter Two, offered his opinion on the ‘Miller Situation’ during a recent interview given to Canada’s CBC News.
Following a brief reflection on his approach to bringing Bruce Wayne’s Batcave and Batwing back from the annals of cinema history for Keaton’s return to the role, Austerberry noted how he once built full-size cardboard replicas of The Dark Knight’s vehicles and laughed, “It’s kind of funny that I was able to actually do the real deal.”
The designer then admitted that, in light of the fact that the studio reportedly spent roughly $220 to producer the film, The Flash was considered to be “a big deal for Warner Bros.”
To that end, Austerberry explained that “We’re designing these things and designing the film for the big screen; this is a big screen, movie-going experience.”
“I hope most people see it on the big screen,” he added. “This kind of movie is made for the multiplex. It’s made for the big spectacle.”
Having broached the topic of just how ‘important’ the Scarlet Speedster’s solo outing was to the studio – its release not only has major ramifications for the future of one of their biggest properties, but also on the reputation and future of their newly hired CEO David Zaslav – Austerberry was then pressed by CBC reporter Jackson Weaver on whether or not he felt concerned over the possibility that Miller’s recent history could harm the film’s prospects.
“People will forget that,” he asserted in turn before proceeding to side-step the question by moving to praise how Miller shot the film in “two different chunks” (due to it featuring two different Barry Allens) and the fact that the actor apparently only took three days off during the filming of their parts.
Ultimately, rather than elaborate any further as to why he thought audiences would collectively rush out to support the film in spite of Miller,” Austerberry instead simply concluded, “From my profession and what I do, it’s fantastic that these films are being made because…we can create whatever we want in the world.
As of writing, Miller is set to return to his titular role – perhaps for the last time, though everyone from Zaslav to current DC head James Gunn are currently refraining from making an actual decision on the matter – when The Flash bolts into theaters on June 16th.
NEXT: ‘The Flash’ Star Ezra Miller Dodges Jail Time, Accepts Plea Deal In Vermont Burglary Case