Grant Gustin recently shared why he first thought auditioning for ‘The Flash’ was a waste of time.
Gustin spoke with Men’s Health and recalled his audition for the Barry Allen role. He said the character description didn’t match him at all, and this made him feel like he didn’t stand a chance:
“It never crossed my mind. I mean, I was 23 when I auditioned for that show and thought I had no chance of getting it. 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. He’s big and buff and blonde in the comics. I was just like, ‘Why are they even seeing me?’ I had imposter syndrome about even going to that audition. The idea of ‘Do I want this?’ never even crossed my mind.”
Gustin still got the part and surprised everyone — including himself. He ended up playing the superhero for nearly ten years on The CW network.
He Thinks Playing A Superhero On TV Isn’t Easy
Gustin worked 16 hours a day for the role, but it was so tiring he stopped exercising and got quite thinner:
“My *ss was just getting kicked. I just stopped working out and got thinner and thinner those first five seasons.”
He sometimes felt like he didn’t want to keep going, but there were also many fun moments:
“But there were also many days when I was acutely aware of how much fun it was, and how lucky I was. One thing I was good about reminding myself of during the last few seasons of ‘The Flash,’ knowing I was closer to the end than the beginning. [I] was focusing a bit on the micro too, where it’s like ‘I laugh every day. I’m smiling and having fun with friends every day. I’m putting a superhero suit on every day, regardless of how uncomfortable it can be.’ I was better at focusing on the little things that made me happy.”
Gustin has been chatting with James Gunn. Gunn complimented the actor’s talent on social media and hinted they might work together in the future. Gustin also says the doors aren’t ‘slammed shut’ for him.
