I’m kind of speechless so bear with me here.
The Wrap is reporting that Michael Keaton — yes, that Michael Keaton — will reprise his role as Bruce Wayne/Batman for the upcoming movie The Flash. The Wrap says that talks with Keaton are in their early, early stages so there is a chance it all falls apart but as of now, Keaton is gearing up to play the Caped Crusader once again, thirty years after Batman Returns.
First of all: whoa. That is the stuff that fanboy dreams are made of. We cherish Michael Keaton here at Trouble City and we also cherish his performance as Batman, which was the perfect mixed of nuanced, troubled and the perfect amount to stoic. This is the sort of news that will absolutely engage viewers and bring a lot of attention to The Flash.
But here’s the big question: how? How will Keaton play Batman? Robert Pattinson is Batman, right? Well, yes, but according to sources, The Flash will be heavily influenced by Flashpoint, a comic series that saw The Flash speed back in time to save his mother…only to accidentally create an alternate universe. It plays into DC’s long-running multiverse idea: alternate universes with alternate heroes. So if The Flash does explore the multiverse, it will allow for Keaton to play Batman again. Complicated? Yes. Clever? Also yes.
That’s not all! THR adds that Keaton’s role in other DC films is also being hashed out. Apparently they are picturing him as a sort of Nick Fury character from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. So there is a chance that Keaton’s Bruce Wayne/Batman may become a central part of the DC films moving forward. This news is almost too much to handle.
I really hope this comes together and Keaton plays the Dark Knight once again. The idea of an Ezra Miller-led Flash movie has been around for ages but has had trouble getting off the ground. Currently Andy Muschietti is attached to direct but the film itself still hasn’t garnered much enthusiasm after Justice League. Casting Keaton as Batman would do wonders for the film. Can you imagine how exciting it would be to see Keaton in the cape and cowl again? This really is one of the most daring, surprising but welcome bits of news we have heard in some time. It’s as if DC and Warner Bros are scrolling through comic book message boards, looking for the most out-there and celebrated ideas. This is something that will ignite a fire under The Flash. How do I know? Well, because it’s officially got me excited for The Flash.