In March 2023, Warner Bros released The Flash—a $300 million superhero movie.
The problem: The star had been arrested three times in three months.
The charges: Assault. Harassment. Burglary. Grooming allegations.
The result: Warner Bros spent $300 million on a movie they couldn't promote because the lead actor was wanted by police in multiple states.
By June 2023, The Flash became one of the biggest box office bombs in superhero history, losing an estimated $200 million.
This is the story of how a talented actor destroyed a $300 million franchise in 90 days—and how Hollywood tried desperately to save it.
The Promising Start (1992-2016)
Born September 30, 1992
Born in New Jersey to a family of creatives.
Early career: Child actor, then teen roles.
Breakthrough role: We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011) at age 19.
Critical acclaim: "A disturbing, brilliant performance."
2011-2016: The Rising Star
Films:
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012): $33 million budget, $33 million box office
- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016): $814 million worldwide
The appeal: Quirky, talented, non-traditional superhero type.
2017: Cast as The Flash
Warner Bros cast him as Barry Allen/The Flash for the DC Extended Universe.
First appearance: Justice League (2017)
The plan: Solo Flash movie to launch in 2018 (delayed repeatedly to 2023).
Why him? "He brings depth and humor to the role. He's perfect."
The Cracks Begin to Show (2020-2022)
April 2020: The Choking Video
A video surfaced of him appearing to choke a woman in a bar in Iceland.
The incident: Playful or assault? Unclear.
Response: Silence. No charges filed.
Warner Bros reaction: Ignored. Movie still in development.
2020-2022: Pandemic Isolation
During COVID lockdown, behavior reportedly became erratic:
- Moved to a farm in Vermont
- Hosted gatherings with young people
- Concerned parents reported inappropriate behavior
No public incidents yet. But warning signs were there.
The 90 Days That Destroyed Everything (March-May 2022)
March 28, 2022: First Arrest in Hawaii
Location: Karaoke bar in Hilo, Hawaii
Charges: Disorderly conduct and harassment
What happened: Yelling obscenities, grabbing microphone from singing woman, lunging at man playing darts
Bail: $500
Released: Same day
Warner Bros reaction: "We're monitoring the situation."
March 29, 2022 (Next Day): Second Arrest
Location: Same island, Hawaii
Charges: Second-degree assault
What happened: Threw a chair at a 26-year-old woman, hitting her in the forehead
Restraining order: Woman filed protective order
Warner Bros reaction: Emergency meetings begin.
April 2022: Grooming Allegations Surface
The accusation: Parents of 18-year-old Tokata Iron Eyes accused him of grooming her since age 12.
Claims:
- Met her at age 12 at Standing Rock protest
- Flew her across state lines
- Provided drugs and alcohol
- Manipulated and controlled her
His response: Denied. Claimed relationship was supportive friendship.
Tokata's response: Defended him, said parents were controlling.
The problem: This looked very bad regardless of truth.
May 2022: Restraining Order in Massachusetts
Filed by: Mother and her 12-year-old child
Allegations:
- Inappropriate behavior around child
- Harassing and threatening family
- Wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying gun
Status: Temporary restraining order granted.
June 2022: Burglary Charges in Vermont
The incident: Allegedly broke into neighbor's home, stole alcohol bottles
Charges: Felony burglary
Status: Police investigating.
Warner Bros at this point: "We have a $300 million problem."
The Corporate Nightmare (Summer 2022)
The Impossible Position
Warner Bros faced a crisis:
Option 1: Cancel the movie
- Loss: $300 million already spent
- Problem: Movie was finished, ready for 2023 release
Option 2: Release the movie
- Problem: How do you promote a movie when the star is wanted by police?
- Risk: Boycotts, terrible PR, financial disaster
Option 3: Recast and reshoot
- Cost: Additional $100+ million
- Time: 2+ years delay
- Problem: Star's face is the entire movie
They chose Option 2. With modifications.
The "Hide the Star" Strategy
Warner Bros strategy for 2023 release:
- Minimal press tours featuring him
- Focus marketing on DC brand, not the actor
- Hope he gets help and stays quiet
- Pray the movie is good enough that people don't care
The problem: The scandals kept coming.
More Allegations (2022-2023)
The "Cult Compound" Reports
Media reports (2022):
- Farm in Vermont described as "compound"
- Multiple young people living there
- Weapons on property
- Three children living in unsafe conditions
Child services: Investigated, removed children temporarily.
His response: Called reports "inaccurate and sensationalized."
August 2022: Public Statement
After months of silence, released a statement:
"Having recently gone through a time of intense crisis, I now understand that I am suffering complex mental health issues and have begun ongoing treatment."
Translation: "Please don't cancel my movie."
Warner Bros response: "We support his decision to seek help."
The Flash's Release Strategy (2023)
February 2023: The Apology Tour (Sort Of)
Limited interviews with strict conditions:
- Pre-approved questions only
- Mental health focus
- No questions about specific incidents
- Handlers present at all times
Message: "I've gotten help. I'm better now. Please watch the movie."
June 16, 2023: The Flash Premieres
Budget: $300 million (including marketing)
Critical reception: Mixed (Rotten Tomatoes: 63%)
Audience reaction: "The movie's actually good. Too bad about everything else."
Opening weekend: $55 million (disaster for a $300 million movie)
The Box Office Catastrophe
Worldwide total: $271 million
Loss: Estimated $200 million (accounting for marketing and theater splits)
Why it failed:
- Star's scandals turned people away
- Superhero fatigue
- DC brand was already struggling
- General audience didn't care about The Flash
Result: One of the biggest superhero flops ever.
The Aftermath (2023-2025)
Career Status: Destroyed
Fantastic Beasts: Fired from franchise (replaced for future films)
The Flash sequel: Canceled
Other DC projects: None planned
Hollywood status: Unemployable
Current projects (2025): None announced
Legal Status (2025)
Vermont burglary charges: Pleaded guilty to trespass, burglary dropped
Hawaii cases: Resolved with plea deals
Restraining orders: Some remain active
Grooming allegations: No criminal charges filed (but civil suits possible)
Financial Impact
Estimated lost earnings:
- Flash sequels: $20-30 million
- Fantastic Beasts films: $10-15 million
- Other roles: $20+ million
Total career damage: $50-100 million in potential earnings
Current net worth (2025): Estimated $3-4 million (down from potential $30+ million)
Warner Bros' $300 Million Mistake
What They Lost
The Flash movie: $200 million loss
DC Extended Universe plans: Flash was supposed to anchor Phase 2
Fantastic Beasts franchise: Had to recast key character mid-series
Total estimated damage: $500+ million across franchises
The Corporate Lesson
Before casting: "He's talented and quirky. Perfect for Flash."
After disaster: "We needed better background checks and behavior clauses."
New industry standard: All major contracts now include extensive mental health and behavior monitoring.
The Grooming Allegations: What Actually Happened?
Tokata Iron Eyes Situation
Timeline:
- 2016: Met at Standing Rock, he was 23, she was 12
- 2016-2022: Maintained contact, flew her to events
- 2022: Parents file protective order
- 2022: She (now 18) defends him publicly
His claim: "Supportive friendship, helped her escape controlling parents"
Parents' claim: "Grooming, manipulation, inappropriate relationship"
Legal outcome: No criminal charges, but questions remain
Public perception: Very bad, regardless of legal outcome
The Mental Health Defense
The August 2022 Statement
"Having recently gone through a time of intense crisis, I now understand that I am suffering complex mental health issues."
Diagnosed conditions (reported): Not publicly disclosed
Treatment: Reportedly ongoing
The question: Does mental health excuse the behavior?
Public reaction: "Get help, but also face consequences."
The Attempted Comeback (2024-2025)
2024: The Silence
Public appearances: Almost none
Social media: Inactive
Work: No announced projects
Strategy: "Lay low, hope people forget."
2025: Still Unemployable
Hollywood's message: "Too risky, too much baggage."
Agents: Reportedly can't get him auditions
Future prospects: Limited to indie films, if anything
What Went Wrong: A Timeline
2017: Warner Bros casts rising star as The Flash - Great decision
2020: Warning signs emerge (choking video) - Ignored
2022: Three arrests in three months - Crisis mode
2023: $300 million movie bombs - Disaster
2025: Career destroyed, franchises ruined - Cautionary tale
The Victims
The Families
Multiple families filed restraining orders, cited:
- Fear for safety
- Inappropriate behavior around children
- Harassment and threats
Their lives: Disrupted, traumatized, legally entangled
The Fans
DC fans: Waited years for Flash movie, got a scandal-plagued disaster
Young fans: Role model became cautionary tale
The Industry Workers
Hundreds of people worked on The Flash:
- VFX artists
- Crew members
- Supporting actors
Their work: Overshadowed by one person's behavior
The Legal Aftermath
Criminal charges resolved: Mostly plea deals, probation
Civil suits: Some still pending or settled privately
Career consequences: Far worse than legal ones
The Hollywood Reckoning
Before This Case
Standard practice: "Talent first, behavior second"
Thought process: "Genius excuses eccentricity"
After This Case
New standard: "Background checks, behavior clauses, mental health support"
Industry message: "Talent doesn't excuse abuse or chaos"
The $300 Million Question
Could Warner Bros have saved this?
What they could have done:
- Addressed 2020 warning signs earlier
- Mandated mental health support in 2020
- Included strict behavior clauses in contract
- Recast immediately after first arrest
What they did instead: Hoped it would go away
The cost: $300 million movie, destroyed franchise, damaged brand
The Grooming vs. Friendship Debate
His supporters say: "He was helping young people escape difficult situations"
Critics say: "A 23-year-old shouldn't be 'helping' a 12-year-old by flying her across state lines"
The law says: No criminal charges filed
Public opinion says: This looks terrible regardless of intent
From Franchise Star to Industry Pariah
2017: DC's franchise future
2023: Box office poison
2025: Unemployable
The span: 8 years
The collapse: 90 days in 2022
The Uncomfortable Truth
He had real talent. Critics praised his performances.
He had real problems. Three arrests, multiple restraining orders, grooming allegations.
The question: Can you separate the art from the artist?
Hollywood's answer: "Not when it costs $300 million."
The Cautionary Tale
For actors: Get help before you destroy your career
For studios: Don't ignore warning signs to protect investments
For audiences: "Separate art from artist" has limits
From The Flash to Unemployable
Warner Bros spent $300 million on a movie.
The star got arrested three times in 90 days.
The movie lost $200 million.
The career: Destroyed.
This is what happens when Hollywood bets everything on one person—and that person implodes.
And unlike The Flash, there's no time travel to undo it.
