The DC Universe continues to grow more complicated with the latest reveal being that Ben Affleck will reprise his role as Batman in the upcoming Flash movie starring Ezra Miller. The long in development project is set to feature the solo film debut of DC superhero Flash, a speedster who fights crime with his super speed. However, the project has now got a new boost with the inclusion of Ben Affleck’s Batman.
Affleck who played the Caped Crusader in two DC movies, Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League was thought to have been replaced indefinitely by Twilight actor Robert Pattinson when it was announced that Pattinson would be the new Batman.
However now it looks like the actual events are a little more complicated with DC experimenting with different versions of its characters. Prior to introducing multiple Batmen on screen, the studio previously delivered alternate versions of characters on different live action mediums. This included having a different Superman, Flash or Lois Lane in the CW TV series as opposed to the movies.
Now WB is taking things one step further by introducing multiple iterations of its popular character in its movies. According to Vanity Fair, which first broke the news, while the Robert Pattinson slate of upcoming movies is looked upon as “the future” of DC’s Batman films, the upcoming Flash film will serve as a Bat extravaganza.
Right now we know Michael Keaton will reprise his role as the Batman from Tim Burton’s old but beloved Batman films and with Batfleck in the mix, it may be that The Flash movie will explore the worlds of the different live action Batman movies.
Michael Keaton & Ben Affleck will both appear as Batman in ‘THE FLASH’.
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— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) August 20, 2020
This could mean that Val Kilmer and Christian Bale could possibly show up as their versions of the characters should the stars align.
Read More: New TV show set in the world of the new Batman movie coming from HBO
The Bat-Flash movie
Barbara Muschietti explains why Ben Affleck is returning for ‘THE FLASH’:
“Right now he’s in a place where he can actually enjoy being Batman. He doesn't have to carry the entire movie. It's a pivotal role but at the same time it’s a fun part.”
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— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) August 20, 2020
The movie is directed by Andy Muschietti, the filmmaker behind the recent adaptations of Stephen King’s It and It Chapter Two. In an interview, he disclosed why Affleck in the film made sense:
“His Batman has a dichotomy that is very strong, which is his masculinity—because of the way he looks, and the imposing figure that he has, and his jawline —but he’s also very vulnerable,” Muschietti said in an interview. “He knows how to deliver from the inside out, that vulnerability. He just needs a story that allows him to bring that contrast, that balance. He’s a very substantial part of the emotional impact of the movie. The interaction and relationship between Barry and Affleck’s Wayne will bring an emotional level that we haven’t seen before. It’s Barry’s movie, it’s Barry’s story, but their characters are more related than we think. They both lost their mothers to murder, and that’s one of the emotional vessels of the movie. That’s where the Affleck Batman kicks in.”
It will be interesting to see what fans make of the multiverse of these characters. Luckily for DC, there’s a lot to mine with WB’s rich history of bringing the Batman universe to life. In the comics, The Flash can travel back in time, thereby altering history and creating a different reality. The upcoming movie entitled Flashpoint is said to be based on a comic by the name, albeit the adaptation will be playing fast and loose with the narrative of that comic. The original comic featured The Flash altering the timeline after trying to save his mother. This film will likely see something similar happen but the consequences may differ.
It will be interesting to see who else WB manages to bring back for what is looking to be a truly special solo outing. DC Entertainment the subdivision of WB is set to clue fans in to their plans about this movie on August 22nd on an event called DC FanDome.