An Iconic Batman Will Return in 'The Flash' After 3 Decades

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Warner Bros. has had varied success in transposing the outsized action and complex lore of DC Comics from the page to the screen, and the DC Extended Universe has been compared infavorably to the MCU when it comes to telling interconnected stories. That could all be about to change, however: James Gunn and Peter Safran, the new co-CEOs of DC Studios, have announced that they'll be starting almost from scratch moving forward, with a brand new 10-year plan.

One of the first movies to figure into their long game is The Flash, the first solo movie outing for the super-fast hero Barry Allen.

Barry Allen has been played by two previous actors on the small screen: first by Alan Ritchson on the Superman prequel series Smallville, then by Grant Gustin on The Flash, which recently began its ninth and final season on The CW. In DC's ongoing movie universe, the character is played by the controversial actor Ezra Miller, most recently in a surprise cameo at the end of Peacemaker.

Miller will next appear in The Flash, which is believed to be the key to "resetting" the DC Universe. Their status as the star of the movie has been complicated by their recent legal issues, allegations of abusive behavior, and mental health struggles. "Ezra is completely committed to their recovery," Safran said recently. "We’re fully supportive of that journey that they’re on right now."

Is there a trailer for The Flash?

The first official trailer for The Flash dropped during Super Bowl Sunday on February 12, 2023, giving viewers their first look at Miller in the lead role—well, multiple lead roles, technically—as well as some clues about the plot, and some crowd-pleasing cameo moments.

The Flash is based on a famous comic book run

The plot of the movie appears to be largely inspired by Flashpoint, written by Geoff Johns with art by Andy Kubert, a hugely significant storyline which features time travel and alternate universes where well-known events from superhero mythology unfolded in vastly different ways.

The trailer shows a version of Barry Allen using his powers to travel back in time to try and prevent his mother's murder: the clip's inclusion of multiple Barry Allens and multiple Batmans means that this film might end up introducing the new canon of DC movie heroes.

Michael Keaton is back as Batman

Excitingly for fans of Tim Burton's Batman movies, Michael Keaton is also returning to the role for this movie, playing the same version of the character that he portrayed in 1989's Batman and 1992's Batman Returns.

The movie will also feature Ben Affleck, who has been the DCEU's main Batman ever since Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, and who starred opposite Miller in Justice League.

The cast also includes Ron Livingston and Maribel Verdù as Barry Allen's parents, while Kiersey Clemons will play Iris West, Barry's love interest. The trailer also introduces Sasha Calle as Kara Zor-El, a.k.a. Supergirl, and teases the return of Michael Shannon as General Zod.

When will The Flash be released?

The Flash currently has a scheduled theatrical release date of June 16, 2023.

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