Summary:
- Grant Gustin, known for his CW’s Flash portrayal, recently shared about his casting as Barry Allen more than 10 years ago.
- The actor, suffering from impostor syndrome at the time, didn’t believe that he had the ideal physique to play the character.
- As time passed, Gustin gained more experience and confidence, and also built his body throughout his 9 seasons as the Fastest Man Alive.
Grant Gustin rocketed to fame portraying Barry Allen on The CW’s The Flash. Despite perfectly embodying the DC superhero for nine seasons, few people know that the Virginia native initially had reservations about his suitability for the role, particularly due to his lanky physique.
In a discussion with Men’s Health, Gustin shared his early concerns about taking on the role that would define his career. Surprisingly, he was skeptical about his chances because he felt his slender build didn’t match the traditionally muscular depiction of Barry Allen.
“I didn’t even want to go to the audition. I was like, ‘This is a waste of my time and their time.’ In the breakdown it said he was late twenties to early thirties,” Gustin explained.
At just 23 years old during his audition, the dark-haired Gustin felt a stark contrast between himself and the comic book version of The Flash, who was not only muscular but also blonde. Battling what he described as imposter syndrome, Gustin doubted he’d ever land such a coveted superhero role. Even the audition alone was a huge opportunity for the actor himself.
Yet, despite these initial doubts, Gustin’s portrayal of The Flash has been celebrated for his comic-accuracy and dedication, surpassing even Ezra Miller’s performance in the DCEU. His The Flash franchise is widely considered the best Elseworld series of the CW household.
Over the years, Gustin has embraced his role, sharing his physical transformation on social media where he’s gained muscle and focused on his fitness.
In the same interview, Gustin also opened up about his health, mentioning how he previously neglected his physical and mental well-being due to the demands of his career. The pandemic provided him with an opportunity to refocus on himself.
“I started exercising a lot between seasons. I put on 20 pounds of muscle, just because I had time to work out. Since then, it’s been four years,” The Glee star shared.
After leaving behind his superhero gig with The Flash Season 9, Gustin is set to continue his acting journey on Broadway. He’ll soon make his debut in the Tony-nominated musical adaptation of Water for Elephants, taking on the role of Jacob Jankowski, proving his versatility and commitment as an actor.
