Orange Cassidy has built one of professional wrestling’s most distinctive personas around doing less than everyone else, which makes his preferred comic-book role especially amusing: The Flash.
During a recent conversation with Simon Miller for Under The Mat, the AEW wrestler was asked about a possible place in the relaunched DC Universe. Cassidy made clear that he would welcome an opportunity to appear in the franchise, which began its new era under DC Studios co-head James Gunn with Superman in July 2025.
“I would actually like to be in the DCU.”
When asked which character he would want to portray, Cassidy offered a simple answer.
For more background on this topic, read Mick Foley Set for Holiday Film Role in The Christmas Heartbeat.
“Flash. I think it’d be funny.”
It is difficult to argue with the comedic logic. Cassidy’s AEW presentation has long centered on a deliberately understated approach: hands in his pockets, a detached demeanor, sunglasses, and an apparent resistance to expending energy unless a situation absolutely demands it. The Flash, by contrast, is traditionally defined by velocity, urgency, and an ability to move faster than anyone around him. Putting the famously low-energy wrestler in the role of DC’s Scarlet Speedster would create an immediate contrast between performer and character.
That contrast is also why Cassidy’s answer fits his public persona so naturally. He did not offer a lengthy pitch for a dark, dramatic superhero reinvention, nor did he identify a powerhouse character whose physicality resembles his in-ring style. Instead, he selected one of the most energetic heroes in the DC catalog and punctuated the idea with a deadpan observation that it would be funny.
No New DCU Flash Has Been Announced
As of the time of Cassidy’s comments, DC Studios has not announced a new actor to play The Flash in the DCU. The character remains one of the best-known names in the wider DC library, but there has been no official casting announcement for the rebooted continuity.
Ezra Miller portrayed Barry Allen in recent live-action DC films, including the 2023 feature The Flash. Grant Gustin, meanwhile, played Barry Allen for multiple seasons on the television series The Flash, part of the interconnected group of CW superhero programs commonly associated with the Arrowverse. Both performers helped define recent screen versions of the character for different audiences and in different continuities.
The DCU’s developing slate has continued to draw attention as Gunn and fellow DC Studios co-head Peter Safran establish the franchise’s direction. Following Superman, upcoming and announced projects have included Clayface, Man Of Tomorrow, and The People vs. Gorilla Grodd. That expanding lineup has naturally led to fan discussion about which familiar DC heroes and villains could appear next, including the future of The Flash.
Cassidy’s comments should be viewed as an expression of interest rather than any indication of a casting process or an imminent DCU announcement. There is no suggestion that Cassidy has been attached to a DC project, met with DC Studios, or entered discussions to portray The Flash. Still, the remark gives fans a memorable hypothetical at a time when the franchise’s roster is being closely watched.
Why Orange Cassidy Is an Easy Fit for the Conversation
Wrestlers appearing in film and television is far from unusual, particularly as major promotions continue to build global platforms and performers develop recognizable identities outside the ring. The entertainment crossover can take many forms, from action roles that capitalize on an athlete’s physical presence to comedic appearances that lean into a wrestler’s established character.
Cassidy would fall squarely into the latter category if he were ever to make the leap into superhero media. His appeal is rooted in precise timing. The casual body language and deliberately muted delivery are not accidental; they are central to the way his character creates reactions. Opponents and audiences are encouraged to underestimate him, only for the pace to shift when Cassidy decides to unleash the athletic ability that sits beneath the laid-back exterior.
That rhythm has made Cassidy one of AEW’s most recognizable acts. A character that could initially be summarized by hands in pockets developed into a versatile main-event presence, capable of working comedy, drama, sprint-style action, and physically punishing championship matches. His strongest performances often use the difference between expectation and reality as a storytelling engine. He may look disengaged, but he can become relentless once the stakes rise.
A Flash performance built around that same contrast would certainly be different from conventional interpretations of the character. Cassidy’s brief comment did not explain whether he imagined playing Barry Allen, Wally West, or another version of The Flash mantle. Nor did he elaborate on whether the idea was purely comedic or something he would seriously pursue if a proper opportunity emerged. His answer was short, but that brevity is part of what made it effective.
The visual alone is easy to understand: Orange Cassidy, hands in pockets, expected to represent one of DC’s fastest heroes. The premise practically writes its own joke before any scene begins. Yet Cassidy’s wrestling career has shown that there is more to his act than a single punchline, which is why fans may enjoy imagining how he could balance humor with the demands of a larger role.
AEW’s Star Remains Focused on Wrestling
For now, Cassidy remains an active AEW performer, and his comments arrived amid the company’s ongoing weekly schedule. AEW Dynamite continues to serve as the central Wednesday-night program for the promotion, with Cassidy remaining one of the names closely associated with the company’s growth and identity.
Since AEW’s launch, Cassidy has represented a modern style of wrestling character development. His persona was immediately understandable, even to viewers encountering him for the first time, but it had room to evolve as audiences invested in his major matches and championship pursuits. The deadpan comedy brought attention, while his willingness to absorb punishment and fight through increasingly difficult situations added emotional weight.
That combination has given Cassidy a broader profile than many wrestlers whose characters depend solely on intimidation or athletic credentials. He can participate in a serious title program without abandoning the qualities that made him popular, and he can bring levity to a television segment without being reduced to a novelty act. Those are useful qualities for any performer considering work outside wrestling, especially in an entertainment world where a recognizable point of view can be as valuable as a conventional résumé.
There is also a broader connection between superhero storytelling and wrestling storytelling. Both forms rely on clear character identity, heightened rivalries, dramatic visual presentation, and audiences emotionally investing in figures who are often larger than life. Wrestlers already work in an environment that requires them to communicate quickly and clearly through physicality, timing, expression, and movement. Cassidy’s character may be quieter than most, but that silence has often been part of his communication.
Whether the DCU ever calls for an unconventional Flash is another matter entirely. The franchise has not revealed a new casting choice for the role, and Cassidy has not claimed that anything is in motion. His answer was a hypothetical response, delivered with the dry humor fans have come to expect.
A Funny Hypothetical With Real Entertainment Appeal
In the end, Cassidy’s DCU wish is notable because it is so perfectly aligned with the persona he has cultivated in AEW. The Flash is a character associated with impossible speed. Orange Cassidy is a wrestler who often makes standing still feel like an active creative choice. The potential mismatch is exactly the point.
His interest also arrives as DC’s new screen universe continues to take shape. With projects such as Clayface, Man Of Tomorrow, and The People vs. Gorilla Grodd among the announced titles, fans will continue to speculate about which characters may eventually join the franchise and who might play them. The Flash remains uncast in the DCU as of now, leaving plenty of room for theoretical fan casting.
For Cassidy, the choice is clear. If he gets a chance to enter the DCU, he wants to be The Flash. And in keeping with the wrestler’s unique brand of humor, he has already supplied the reason: he thinks it would be funny.
Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.