The DCEU is heading towards a future where will not be one but three different versions of Batman. The Flash movie will feature Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck as two versions of Batman. Robert Pattinson will also portray the role of the younger Batman in Matt Reeves’ The Batman.
Some fans have started to look a little confused. The DCEU might be taking a gamble here. Three different Batmen in DCEU sounds a bit crazy. All three actors will be potentially playing the iconic role of Bruce Wayne on screen. This is the first time we will be seeing three different actors playing the same role in a single live-action superhero universe.
It is time we have a plausible explanation regarding the roles of Ben Affleck, Michael Keaton, and Robert Pattinson are supposed to fill for the DCEU’s future. This article will try to explain how three versions of Batman can exist in DC Extended Universe.
Michael Keaton as Batman
Michael Keaton was initially praised by both the critics and the fans to be chosen to play Batman on screen in the 1989 movie. Fans were happy to hear the news of Michael Keaton’s return to Batman as a part of the Flash movie. He will portray the role of an elderly Batman.
The movie is rumoured to be based on the Flashpoint comic book storyline. In this arc, the Flash travels back in time to save his mother. He unknowingly creates a dangerous ripple effect that drastically changes the future. Superman does not exist. Bruce Wayne is dead. Wonder Woman and Aquaman are almost on the verge of destroying the whole world.
In the Flashpoint arc, Thomas Wayne exists as Batman with a brutal personality. In the movie, it is rumoured that Michael Keaton’s version of the character will replace The Flashpoint Batman. Keaton is still considered by many to be the best version of cinematic Caped Crusader of all time. For that reason, people are understandably excited by reports of Keaton’s return as Bruce Wayne in the upcoming Flash DCEU solo movie.
Ben Affleck as Batman
Ben Affleck as Batman appeared last in Zack Snyder’s Justice League on HBO Max. The Snyder Cut may have no influence in the larger DCEU but it is still a movie better than Joss Whedon’s version of Justice League. Affleck appeared as Batman in Dawn of Justice where he fought against Superman. Man of Steel’s selfless sacrifice influenced Ben Affleck’s Batman to keep gathering other superheroes to form a team.
Ben Affleck will return again in The Flash movie. Affleck’s Bruce Wayne is playing the role of a mentor to the Flash. The Flash movie would lead to Affleck’s Batman and the Flashpoint timeline’s Keaton’s Batman meeting for the first time. There is a rumour that it will be the last and final time of Batfleck on screen.
Robert Pattinson as Batman
The Batman which is directed by Matt Reeves will be more of a detective mystery thriller action in the guise of the superhero genre. Robert Pattinson will portray the role of Batman. Pattinson’s Batverse will have no connection with the regular DCEU.
The DCEU is currently focusing on making standalone projects rather than vainly building up a shared superhero universe. As a result, there is a high possibility that Robert Pattinson’s Batman will not meet the other versions of Batman.
The DCEU Multiverse & The Flashpoint
The Hollywood Reporter suggested that Keaton would show up in several DC superhero movies. He might play the role of a mentor to young Flash. The Flash movie is also the perfect opportunity to bring the concept of Batmen from different universes. Ezra Miller’s cinematic Flash will introduce different Flashes in one universe. Andrés Muschietti’s The Flash is the adaption of the 2011 comic book story Flashpoint.
Keaton will possibly replace the role of Thomas Wayne in the movie. There is no confirmation of how similar his attitude towards violence will be now in The Flash film. Fans’ reaction towards Keaton’s return is very positive. The film may follow Ezra Miller’s Barry Allen as he travels back in time to save his mother from being killed when he was younger. In doing so, he inadvertently creates an alternate universe where Gotham City is now protected – or was protected – by Keaton’s Batman. In this way, they can introduce Keaton inside DCEU.
The CW’s Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover event was a central component of this movie. That TV show finished with a scene of Ezra Miller’s Flash coming face-to-face with Grant Gustin’s. Miller had previously described The Flash as acting as the doorway to the “speedster multiverse“.
The Flash will be its own version of Flashpoint without being a straight-up page-to-screen adaptation. But, elements of time travel and the Speed Force are sure to be primary aspects of the movie. The Flash will surely introduce DC’s larger Multiverse. However, there are some rumours that this movie will help WB to make a soft reboot in DCEU.
The Movie Culture Synopsis
The Flash will help them to replace bad casting choices and they will also be able to replace Ben Affleck as Batman with the concept of Multiverse. WB can now freely introduce different DC characters from different Universes. This will also help them to move with different Batman stories from different universes.
The Flash movie will be the foundation to build DC’s Multiverse. It will also bring two Batman actors out of retirement.
