Key Takeaways:
– Grant Gustin was hesitant to audition for the role of The Flash due to self-doubts about his age and appearance.
– Despite his uncertainty, Gustin’s portrayal of the Scarlet Speedster has been praised by fans for 9 seasons.
– His background in dance, particularly tap dancing, greatly contributed to his performance, especially in running sequences.
– Despite portraying a speedster, Gustin admitted he disliked running as a child.
Gustin’s Initial Hesitation for The Flash Audition
Best known for his memorable portrayal of The Flash, Grant Gustin has won the hearts of audiences worldwide. Astonishingly, this successful role almost didn’t happen as Gustin had reservations about auditioning. Despite his critical acclaim in the musical series Glee, Gustin was unsure of his suitability for the superhero character, revealing his anxieties during an interview with Michael Rosenbaum on his podcast “Inside of You”.
During the chat, Gustin explained that he felt unprepared for the audition since the casting call specified men in their mid-20s to early 30s. At that time, Gustin, only 23, believed he looked 19, causing him to doubt if he was the right fit. Despite his initial apprehension, his decision to go forward with the audition proved fruitful, landing him the iconic role in CW’s original series.
From Dancing to Dashing: Gustin’s Unexpected Preparation for The Flash
Ironically, Gustin’s experience in an entirely different field helped him bring the speedy superhero to life. The actor has a background in dance, which he credits for aiding his performance on the show. In an interview on The Today Show, Gustin spoke about how dancing, specifically tap dancing, conditioned his body movements, ultimately enhancing his portrayal as The Flash.
The novelty of utilizing his skills in dance for his role as a superhero was not lost on Gustin, who said during the podcast, “That’s the thing I’m complimented most on, it’s just like ‘Man, you really know how to move your body’. I really think it’s my dance background … it’s one thing I have a pretty good grasp on, like how I’m supposed to look.”
Interestingly, Gustin confessed that, as a youngster, running was not something he enjoyed. He even quit soccer due to his aversion to it. However, fate stepped in, and running ultimately became integral to his career.
Gustin’s Legacy as The Flash
Despite his initial anxieties, Gustin has become a beloved figure in the DC universe, embodying The Flash for nine successful seasons. His unique journey from dance to acting has contributed greatly to his nuanced performance as the Scarlet Speedster.
Giving life to a character as complex as The Flash, Gustin’s run (pun intended) on the show has been nothing short of extraordinary. His initial hesitation, fueled by self-doubt and anxiety, only makes his success story more inspiring, showing us that sometimes, unexpected skills and experiences can pave the way to remarkable success.
If you haven’t had the chance to witness Gustin’s electrifying performance as The Flash, the nine-season run of the show is available to stream on Netflix.
