The Flash movie will be based on the famous Flashpoint storyline from the comic books, which introduces multiple universes and could feature a range Batman actors from past and potentially present. The news that Michael Keaton may be returning to the role of Batman in the upcoming Flash movie has set the internet ablaze. The film had long-been reported to be based on the Flashpoint storyline, which hinted at multiple universes playing a major role. Director Andrés Muschietti has since confirmed The Flash will feature a version of the storyline – which in the comics saw Flash go back in time to save his mother's life, thereby creating an alternate timeline. In the film, this alternate timeline will reportedly be home to Keaton's Batman from the 1989 movie and its 1992 follow-up Batman Returns.
But the report that revealed the Keaton news also suggests The Flash will introduce the concept of the multiverse to the DCEU. In the comics, the multiverse refers to numerous different versions of earth that exist within separate universes. Originally introduced as a way for writers to create their own original storylines without being shackled to existing continuity, it now looks as if the multiverse, in its cinematic form, could be the thing that DC and Warner Bros. are counting on to finally set their superhero efforts apart from Marvel's. And it seems the multiverse could encompass more than just the DCEU. The Arrowverse TV event Crisis On Infinite Earths has already featured a quick glimpse at the world of Batman '89, as well as an appearance by Ezra Miller's Flash, suggesting the alternate universes created in The Flash will span most, if not all, of DC's on-screen properties.
It's an exciting development that means audiences could potentially see more than just Michael Keaton's Batman showing up in The Flash. With so many actors having taken on the iconic role over time, there's no shortage of Batmen to choose from, and in a film focused on multiple alternate universes, the filmmakers can essentially take their pick of Dark Knights old and possibly even new. Here's every version of Batman that could appear in The Flash.
Michael Keaton, considered by many to be the definitive on-screen Batman following his late-80s/early-90s run as the Dark Knight, is reportedly in talks to reprise that role for The Flash. If the reports turn out to be true, Keaton's casting could be a smart move for DC which has struggled to fully win over audiences in the way Marvel has. That's mostly down to Warner Bros.' and DC's half-hearted attempt to mimic their rivals and create a similar shared universe. But with 2021 shaping up to be a genuine Marvel vs DC year, things could soon change, especially if the multiverse approach proves popular. The recent Crisis On Infinite Earths TV event set up Keaton's DCEU debut and generally hinted at the multiverse linking both TV and film properties. If this is the case, multiple future DC stories can be told concurrently rather than relying on one unifying continuity, finally giving DC its own distinctive approach and separating it further from Marvel. Keaton's return to the role of Batman will be a huge part of establishing this new direction for DC, and will make his appearance in the on-screen version of Flashpoint a pivotal one that has wide-ranging consequences.
The actor is said to potentially be appearing in more than one movie, suggesting Keaton could become a central character in a post-Flashpoint DCEU. His Bruce Wayne will also reportedly become a kind of mentor to other characters in the multiverse, establishing Keaton's Batman as somewhat of a Nick Fury figure for the DC heroes. His appearance in Flashpoint should lay the groundwork for much of this new direction, making Keaton's Batman reprisal not only a major nostalgia trip for long-time Batman fans, but also a practical development that sets up a major new dynamic within the DCEU, and possibly beyond, for the future. That would all make sense in light of rumors that Keaton will not only be appearing in The Flash, but co-starring in the long-awaited movie. If the reports are accurate, and Keaton's Batman does show up in the film, it certainly looks as though he'll be a big part of it. For now we'll have to wait until The Flash debuts in June 2022 to find out exactly what DC has up their sleeve.
While Ben Affleck's turn as the caped crusader isn't universally loved, he's far from the worst on-screen incarnation of the character. He also happens to be a recent entry into the DC canon who is set to reappear in 2021 when the Justice League Snyder cut arrives on HBO Max. Having fought alongside Ezra Miller's Flash in that very movie, Ben Affleck seems an obvious choice for at least a brief cameo in The Flash - even if Affleck's return to DC is less likely than even Henry Cavill coming back to play Superman.
If by some miracle Affleck's Batman does show up in the adapted Flashpoint storyline, it will ideally be in his broody Batman V Superman form rather than the more light-hearted Dark Knight of the theatrical Justice League cut. Joss Whedon's reshoots infamously changed the tone of the poorly-received superhero blockbuster, and Affleck's Batman appeared to have suffered significantly as a result. But with the Snyder cut already said to feature a darker Superman, the reworked film looks set to restore the director's original vision for the movie, and Batman himself. That means there's every possibility that The Flash's multiverse-focused storyline could also make use of Affleck's newly reinvigorated, post-Snyder cut Batman.
Having appeared as Thomas Wayne in Batman v Superman, Jeffrey Dean Morgan looks well-placed to play a Flashpoint Batman in The Flash. Fans have been eager to see the Walking Dead actor in the role ever since 2017 when original Flashpoint comic book writer Geoff Johns said Batman would play a big part in the Flash movie. And while a lot has changed since then, there's still a real chance of seeing Morgan in the role come 2022. DC's comic book Flashpoint timeline features a big change to the Batman story, with a young Bruce Wayne being killed by the mugger in the alley rather than his parents. As a result Thomas Wayne becomes Batman, though this Flashpoint version of the character has a penchant for firearms and is a much more ruthless vigilante than Bruce Wayne's crimefighter. It's this version of the character that Morgan could well portray in The Flash. And considering Flashpoint Batman has returned in other comic book stories since his original creation, perhaps Morgan could be suiting up more than once in the future.
Rumor has it that the actor is in talks to play the part for The Flash, but this is far from confirmed. What is confirmed, however, is his desire to play the role, with Morgan saying at various points since Batman V Superman that he would "love to do it". His appearance in The Flash would also allow director Muschietti to link his film to the DCEU established by Snyder without having to bring back Affleck. Morgan was even immortalised as Flashpoint Batman in a custom Justice League figure, representing the genuine desire among fans to see him in the role. Bringing Keaton back is already a major crowd-pleaser on the part of DC, they may as well throw in Morgan as Flashpoint Batman while they're at it.
With The Batman set to reboot the character in 2021 with Robert Pattinson in the title role, there'll be no shortage of Bat-themed action over the next couple of years. And while Matt Reeves' reimagining of the Dark Knight will be a standalone story in the same was as Todd Phillips' Joker was, there's still the possibility that Pattinson's Batman could show up in the cinematic Flashpoint, thanks to the reported inclusion of the multiverse storyline. Aside from allowing Warner Bros. and DC to keep their new premier Batman in the public eye, including Pattinson in The Flash would further cement the idea that the multiverse spans the entirety of Warner/DC projects.
That said, it seems unlikely Pattinson will in fact show up in The Flash. Matt Reeves' upcoming reboot is said to be a noir-ish detective tale that features a more grounded version of the vigilante in the early stages of his career. Suddenly introducing a time travel element and bringing this gritty reimagining into the fantastical world of the Justice League seems like a surefire way to undermine whatever tone Reeves and his team are going for. But prior to recent reports, it seemed highly unlikely audiences would ever see the return of Michael Keaton as Batman, so it seems anything is possible. And with the multiverse set to be all-encompassing, there's always the possibility of Robert Pattinson's younger Batman making an appearance in Flashpoint – especially if he wants some guidance from the guy who's been doing battle with Gotham's criminals since 1989.
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