Why was Billy Crudup replaced for ‘The Flash?’

Billy Crudup’s being excluded from The Flash shouldn’t really be a surprise to anyone. These things happen. Hollywood is a busy place, conflicts arise — that’s movies 101, people. Although trying to extrapolate why Billy Crudup was replaced as Barry Allen’s dad, Henry is going to be an even bigger challenge than having him in the blockbuster to begin with.

DC’s biggest, boldest superhero event yet, The Flash exists as a crossover unlike any other. Following Ezra Miller’s Flash (Barry Allen) as he tries to navigate a full-on multiversal collapse, it’s safe to say that the Scarlet Speeder has his work cut out for him in this latest silver screen entry.

Still, fans can’t help but notice that Billy Crudup is no longer playing Barry’s tortured father Henry Allen. So who the heck is? Thankfully DC was able to snag Ron Livingston, who plays a great super-dad in spite of all the confusion surrounding his addition to the film at large. From Office Space to A Million Little Things, Livingston remains one of the most intersting actors in show business, and certainly has the chops to play a middle-aged parent.

Still, that doesn’t answer why Billy Crudup was replaced in the first place, and I hate to say this but — the answer is about as boring as they come. Did you really expect some sort of big reveal, though? I did warn you. This article could be summed up by one, annoying little verb. So try not to act too surprised.

What happened to Billy Crudup?

Scheduling dear friends, scheduling. That’s what ended up pulling Crudup away from The Flash. Are you happy now? Frankly, he got busy, and I don’t really blame him. The Flash had a slew of release pushes, filmmaking turmoil, and plenty of off-screen antics by its star in Ezra Miller that would prompt an actor to rethink their arrangements.

The short of it is… Billy Crudup couldn’t wait around all day. The long answer is that because of the uncertainty in timing (when he would have to be working), Crudup had to honor his commitment to The Morning Show and ultimately that’s what pulled him away. Not to mention his other Apple TV Plus project, Hello Tomorrow! — which definitely took up some time.

Like I said, these things happen. Just be happy that DC found someone like Ron Livingston in the first place. All that’s left to do now is go out and catch The Flash in theaters, and enjoy all the multiversal madness that follows.