The Flash Movie Still Has A Batman Problem

The first footage from The Flash film arrives at DC FanDome, subtly highlighting the film’s problem with Batman being part of its narrative. Ezra Miller’s The Flash film still has a big Batman problem. The actor participated in the recently-concluded DC FanDome 2021 and offered new updates regarding the status of the upcoming Andy Muschietti-directed project. That includes the release of The Flash’s Easter egg-filled first trailer, which does a great job hyping up certain elements of the blockbuster, particularly the involvement of two Caped Crusaders in its story.

Ben Affleck reunites with fellow DCEU actor Miller in the movie as he reprises his role as Batman. This is after he formally exited the gig and only shot certain scenes for Zack Snyder’s Justice League, which was released earlier this year. Meanwhile, and potentially more exciting, Michael Keaton is also reprising his DC role after two decades. The seasoned actor was previously spotted filming scenes for The Flash in his Bruce Wayne persona, but he also confirmed that he is indeed suiting back up as the Bat of Gotham. The aforementioned trailer essentially confirms this with a shot of his iconic cowl from the back.

At this point, specific details about Affleck and Keaton’s role in the movie are still tightly under wraps. Based on what’s known about The Flash thus far, DCEU Barry Allen somehow finds himself in the Tim Burton universe where he meets Keaton’s Batman. How he ends up there is currently unknown, but since the Scarlet Speedster is confirmed to have time-traveling capabilities, this occurrence is entirely possible in the DCEU. More than Affleck’s version, however, The Flash trailer really builds on the eventual reveal of Keaton’s iteration of the iconic DC superhero. The video features Barry visiting the Wayner Manor and Batcave; the video even ends with a tease of the 1989 Batmobile reveal. Given all this, it’s no wonder that fans are fixated on Keaton’s Batman return more than anything regarding the blockbuster. This is a problem as the Caped Crusader’s return essentially overshadows everything in the film — including the Flash himself.

For what it’s worth, it’s expected that Keaton’s Batman will be one of the biggest talking points in The Flash. His take on the Bat of Gotham is universally beloved, and fans are understandably excited to see him re-assume that role on the big screen 20 years later. But Warner Bros. needs to be mindful about their marketing, so they don’t lose sight of the fact that it is about the Scarlet Speedster’s story. Of course, capitalizing on the buzz around Keaton’s involvement is good, but they also need to put more emphasis on Barry’s personal arc since it is his film; they can’t simply bank on nostalgia. In addition to this, overselling Keaton’s Batman could ultimately lead to disappointment. The Flash trailer makes it look like he will have a massive role in the story, but with most plot specifics unknown, it’s difficult to say how prominent the older hero will actually be in it.

Principal photography for The Flash just recently wrapped up. This gives Muschietti and his team more than a year to assemble the movie before it premieres in 2022. Given that, Warner Bros. also has a lot of time to develop a balanced marketing campaign that sells the movie as Barry Allen’s narrative while also highlighting Keaton’s return as Batman.