Although Ezra Miller’s apology might be the start of a possible redemption tale, there is no assurance that it will have a happy conclusion.
The ongoing controversy surrounding their recent arrests and claims of troubling behavior was addressed publicly by the actor on Monday. Miller, who plays Barry Allen in “The Flash,” a Warner Bros. Discovery production set to hit theaters in June 2023, revealed that the group had “just gone through a moment of intense crisis” and had been receiving treatment for “complicated mental health concerns.”
The announcement came about two weeks after Warner Bros. Discovery canceled its direct-to-streaming “Batgirl” movie and announced that it was considering a reset of its DC Comics cinematic universe, and a week after Miller was charged with felony burglary in Stamford, Vermont, the actor’s newest criminal offense.
In recent months, as new and damaging claims circulated concerning unsettling behavior ranging from disorderly conduct and harassment to accusations of child grooming and operating an illegal cannabis farm, the newly merged corporation has kept silent regarding Miller. None of these assertions have been specifically addressed by Miller.
Many guessed that Warner Bros. Discovery would still distribute “The Flash” in theaters, but they questioned whether they would break off their relationship with the star in order to avoid looking bad in front of the audience.
Before Miller’s public remark, sources informed the Hollywood Reporter that Warner Bros. Discovery was ready for a number of possible scenarios. One was that Miller would look for professional assistance, conduct a limited amount of press for the movie before its anticipated theatrical release, and give an interview regarding their erratic behavior.
After the release of “The Flash,” which is estimated to have cost $200 million, there have been some hints that Warner Bros. was prepared to sever connections with Miller. According to reports, the business met in April to talk about Miller’s run of controversies and how the studio would move forward. At that time, it was decided that although the actor’s future projects with Warner Bros. would be put on hold, the movie would still go on.
An inquiry for comment was not immediately answered by the business.
Miller has apologized, so the next question is whether or not he can make a comeback.
“Is there a chance for redemption? Yes,” replied Syracuse University professor and pop culture authority Robert Thompson. “You mention Winona Ryder and Robert Downey Jr. Those were considerably easier circumstances. I believe it is possible to handle a career as long as one is not incarcerated.
After a very public fall from fame that includes many arrests in the late 1990s on drug-related offenses, Downey is renowned for reviving his career. Between 1997 and 2000, he served various jail terms, and in 2001, he enrolled in a program for drug rehabilitation. After slowly regaining his reputation, Downey released “Iron Man,” a breakthrough hit in 2008 that helped launch the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Before putting the metal suit away in 2019, he spent more than ten years portraying the role.
Ryder’s tumble was a little less severe. She was detained in 2001 for shoplifting, yet the consequences were still severe. After the arrest, the actress was practically uninsurable, which caused her to take a nearly five-year break from performing. Over the following ten years, she appeared in supporting roles in movies like “Star Trek” and “Black Swan,” but “Stranger Things” in 2016 marked her major comeback.
More is involved than just Miller.
In comparison to what Downey and Ryder were accused of, Miller is facing more serious charges. The performer may not be able to revive their career if the charges of impropriety with kids are genuine, despite the fact that Kevin Spacey, Louis C.K., and Woody Allen have all continued to work after being accused of sexual misconduct.
It’s not just about Miller’s future. Miller’s actions not only may have an effect on the victims and their families but have also negatively harmed Warner Bros. Discovery’s reputation at a time when the firm is most vulnerable. After all, David Zaslav, the new CEO, has a fundamentally different approach to leading the firm, particularly its streaming division.
The best conclusion for Warner Bros. in what is obviously a horrendously tough situation is the news that Ezra Miller is seeking therapy, according to Tony Freinberg, president of crisis management and strategic communications firm Edendale Strategies.
It seems odd to believe that a film studio would be ecstatic to learn that the star of one of its flagship franchises has serious mental health issues, he continued. But I have a suspicion that the studio bosses feel the same way.
The apology, however, is not a panacea, according to Freinberg.
Everyone have to keep in mind that this isn’t simply about taking a few bottles of alcohol or getting into a bar fight, he added. “Ezra Miller is the subject of some extremely serious sexual assault allegations. The stakes are extremely, extremely high any time you hear terms like “grooming,” “trafficking,” or “impropriety with children.”
According to Freinberg, he believes Miller issued the statement under pressure from the studio as a result of their criminal charge and in part because the actor was coming to terms with some of their issues.
It’s not a free pass from jail, he said.
According to industry insiders who spoke with CNBC, the road to Warner Bros. releasing “The Flash” has grown simpler.
According to Paul Hardart, who oversees the NYU Stern School of Business’ entertainment, media, and technology program, the early Miller reports probably wouldn’t have had a substantial impact on Miller’s box office performance. Miller’s apologies, though, allows Warner Bros. to change course.
There is a redemption story, he said, adding that the company has until June to decide how to sell the movie most effectively and that this will give Miller’s legal and personal disputes time to play out.
And I believe that Warner Bros. has made it obvious that “This movie is of value to us,” he added. “They have the benefit of the purchase accounting moment, so they could write it off. They have the option to disregard it, but they choose not to.
