Michael Keaton, who gifted us with cinema’s mostbug-eyed insane Bruce WayneinTim Burton’sBatmanandBatman Returns, will reprise the role of the Dark Knight forThe Flashmovie starringEzra Miller. According toThe Wrap, Keaton’s return will be part ofThe Flash’s attempt to introduce the audience to the concept of a DC Comics multiverse.
The film, according to the report, “sees Ezra Miller’s Barry Allen travel back in time to prevent the death of his mother. The result? Allen inadvertently creates another universe protected by Michael Keaton’s Batman, now 30 years older.”
The report notes that conversations are in very early stages, and the actual size of Keaton’s role is up in the air. But essentially, the actor’s presence is a way to introduce the idea that there is no “main” DC Universe, just many branches on one tree. So the same universe that saw Keaton’s Batman do battle withJack Nicholson’s Joker exists, as doesChristopher Nolan’sDark Knighttrilogy universe, as does the universe in which Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) became the Joker, etc etc. Reportedly, Keaton’s presence won’t at all effectThe Batman,Matt Reeves' upcoming film that seesRobert Pattinsonputting on the cape and cowl.
The Flash—which suffered a long and bumpy road to production, including one point where Miller himself was writing a script just to keep the project alive—will be directed byAndy Muschietti, the filmmaker behind Warner Bros.' hit adaptations ofStephen King’sIT. It’s long been rumored that the film will borrow from the comics' universe-hoppingFlashpointstoryline, with this Keaton news offering even more evidence. It’s interesting that, essentially, WB is just keeping its options open for the future,especiallyafter the studio announced thatZack Snyder’s cut ofJustice Leaguewill debut on HBO Max. IfThe Flashestablishes the idea that all DC universes are fair game, who’s to say Snyder’s story couldn’t continue alongside standalone films likeThe Batman?
The Flashis tentatively scheduled to hit theaters on June 19, 2025.
