Michael Keaton in talks to return as Batman

[Silver Nemesis]

We've all said our piece about the Ezra disappointment. But after reading a more detailed plot description of The Flash, which I'm inclined to believe - or want to believe at the very least, I still want to see the movie. If this plot was followed I'd be right on board with most of it, all things considered. Keaton's Batman comes off better in this outline. He agets to kick ass when rescuing Supergirl, and apparently flies the B89 Batwing, or something similar to it, into battle with guns blazing. At the end of that battle Batman is shown to be injured, not dead but you presume he will. He appears at the end and the manner of his survival left up to speculation. I greatly prefer this depiction rather than having his neck snapped repeatedly. This movie will probably be Keaton's largest role in the comeback, so there's that hook. His appearance in Batgirl is apparently very minimal. So was his original screen time in Aquaman 2.

Those plot points have been verified by multiple sources, so this appears to be the version of the movie that exists right now. Of course the studio might make alterations in response to the Ezra situation, but I can't imagine Keaton's scenes will change much between now and then.

A few other interesting titbits from the leaked plot: (SPOILERS) When the two Barrys first arrive at Wayne Manor they find Bruce cooking spaghetti in the kitchen. Bruce has long hair and a beard, and it's during this scene that he says the "Do you wanna get nuts?" line. He then proceeds to fight the two Barrys using kitchen utensils as improvised weapons. The Barrys later explore Wayne Manor and the Batcave, and at one point they find the Joker's laughing bag from the end of the 1989 film. There's a sequence where Batman and the two Barrys go to a military facility in search of Superman, which leads to an action scene in which Batman takes down numerous armed soldiers. All the descriptions of this sequence describe Keaton as being "badass", with at least one account claiming that he's even more badass in The Flash than he was in his earlier films. As TDK already said, Keaton uses some variation of the Batwing during the final battle. I don't think he fights Zod directly, but it sounds like he might take on some of the other Kryptonians. He's injured during this battle, but doesn't necessarily die. (END SPOILERS)

[eledoremassis02]

Well, there goes Batgirl
https://www.superherohype.com/movies/517510-report-warner-bros-discovery-cancels-hbo-maxs-batgirl-movie

[Silver Nemesis]

Of course the studio might make alterations in response to the Ezra situation, but I can't imagine Keaton's scenes will change much between now and then.

In light of the Batgirl news, I'm a lot less confident about this statement.

[The Joker]

(SPOILERS) When the two Barrys first arrive at Wayne Manor they find Bruce cooking spaghetti in the kitchen. Bruce has long hair and a beard, and it's during this scene that he says the "Do you wanna get nuts?" line. He then proceeds to fight the two Barrys using kitchen utensils as improvised weapons. The Barrys later explore Wayne Manor and the Batcave, and at one point they find the Joker's laughing bag from the end of the 1989 film. There's a sequence where Batman and the two Barrys go to a military facility in search of Superman, which leads to an action scene in which Batman takes down numerous armed soldiers. All the descriptions of this sequence describe Keaton as being "badass", with at least one account claiming that he's even more badass in The Flash than he was in his earlier films. As TDK already said, Keaton uses some variation of the Batwing during the final battle. I don't think he fights Zod directly, but it sounds like he might take on some of the other Kryptonians. He's injured during this battle, but doesn't necessarily die. (END SPOILERS)

SPOILER TALK

Hmmm. Sounds better than the previous descript I read where Keats gets killed continually like he's Kenny from South Park. Cool to read that Jack Nicholson's Joker at least gets a nod via the laughing bag. Action scenes against armed soldiers and with the Batwing sound interesting. Still, I'll gladly just consider the Batman'89 comic, "The Flash", and maybe if we ever see the Keaton scenes from "Batgirl" included as a extra of sorts (I would say on The Flash blu ray, if it even gets released and if Ezra doesn't have even more shenanigans up his sleeve between now and the tentative release date), to just be Elseworldsy tales involving the Burtonverse if we could JUST get a worthwhile and proper coda with Keaton in "Batman Beyond" for christ's sakes.

Supposedly, David Zaslav isn't absolutely averse to DC films taking place outside of the main DCEU timeline (The Batman 2, Joker 2), but generally wants to cut back on the overall seperate multiverse concept Walter Hamada was going with. A Burtonverse Beyond could easily be a justifiable "third" option outside of Phillips/Reeves. Keaton's the right age. Fans have been interested in a live action Batman Beyond movie for decades now. Do it, WBD.

[thecolorsblend]

Of course the studio might make alterations in response to the Ezra situation, but I can't imagine Keaton's scenes will change much between now and then.

In light of the Batgirl news, I'm a lot less confident about this statement.

Wow, rly? In light of the Batgirl news, I'm MORE confident. If WBD/Zaslov is willing to throw a mostly finished film out the window because reasons, what chance does anyone think The Flash has of escaping unscathed? I'm not predicting anything. But if we read the tea leaves, it looks like someone high up the food chain is ready, willing, able and eager to make big decisions.

[Silver Nemesis]

Supposedly, David Zaslav isn't absolutely averse to DC films taking place outside of the main DCEU timeline (The Batman 2, Joker 2), but generally wants to cut back on the overall seperate multiverse concept Walter Hamada was going with. A Burtonverse Beyond could easily be a justifiable "third" option outside of Phillips/Reeves. Keaton's the right age. Fans have been interested in a live action Batman Beyond movie for decades now. Do it, WBD.

This times a billion. Batman Beyond is all most of us ever really wanted from Keaton's return. Warner Bros Discovery is disappointing everyone right now, but one way they could placate our corner of the fan base is to make the BB movie. Don't connect it with the DCEU. Make it a one-off sequel to the Burton films. Bring back Burton, at least in a producer's role. Bring back Elfman. Give Keaton one last send off. That's all we want.

Wow, rly? In light of the Batgirl news, I'm MORE confident. If WBD/Zaslov is willing to throw a mostly finished film out the window because reasons, what chance does anyone think The Flash has of escaping unscathed? I'm not predicting anything. But if we read the tea leaves, it looks like someone high up the food chain is ready, willing, able and eager to make big decisions.

That's what I meant. In my earlier comment, which I posted before I'd read the Batgirl news, I wrote that I didn't think Keaton's role in The Flash would undergo major alteration this late in the game. But now – anything goes.

I wouldn't be shocked if Keaton walked away from the franchise altogether. He's shot three films for the DCEU, and two of those three performances are not being released. If they ask him to come back and reshoot his one remaining performance, he might just say 'I'm too old for this' and call it quits. I wouldn't blame him. It doesn't look good for an actor to work on a major motion picture and then have his performance replaced with that of another actor. People in the industry will be wondering what happened: was he difficult to work with, or was his performance just bad? Even if it's neither of those things, suspicions will abound. This sort of situation can't be good for any actor's career.

[thecolorsblend]

That's what I meant. In my earlier comment

Misunderstanding, my bad.

I wouldn't be shocked if Keaton walked away from the franchise altogether. He's shot three films for the DCEU, and two of those three performances are not being released. If they ask him to come back and reshoot his one remaining performance, he might just say 'I'm too old for this' and call it quits. I wouldn't blame him. It doesn't look good for an actor to work on a major motion picture and then have his performance replaced with that of another actor. People in the industry will be wondering what happened: was he difficult to work with, or was his performance just bad? Even if it's neither of those things, suspicions will abound. This sort of situation can't be good for any actor's career.

Never considered this. But you're right, this could unintentionally reflect badly on Keaton. Esp after his concern about being reluctant to work on any film set due to COVID that made the news.

If I'm Keaton, then right about now I'm regretting ever blowing the dust off this character in the first place. From his standpoint, this whole thing has to have been a complete fiasco.

[The Dark Knight]

I don't know what happens next and like colors I'm not going to predict anything anymore. We were talking about The Flash being moved to HBO Max, but instead it's Batgirl that gets memory holed forever. I just can't believe this is where we are at. Since the JL and SS reshoots things have only become worse, and the fact it's Michael Keaton's Batman getting screwed over hurts even more. That's why I don't see this reflecting on him much at all. These games are the DCEU trend. He just recently entered in to it.

I think this goes to show the mess of constructing interconnected jigsaws rather than focusing on standalone adventures a studio truly believes in. Stories are make believe, but if entire arcs are redone to accomodate modified release schedules and reshoots my enthusiasm can't help but wane. Part of that is I like to believe 'This Is What Was Planned and This Is What Actually Happened'. What we actually receive, if it even gets released, is just what they settled on at the time after months of tinkering. The canon can't help but feel unclean. Especially if they go the whole hog and reshoot elements of The Flash.

I don't really care about the welfare of actors in this struggling economy, but investing the time to shoot a feature film only to have it scrapped completely is savage. As a fan it's pretty sad, and much more than I thought. I think it's the childhood connection to the Burton films that amplifies the damage, and the fact I was warming up to the outline of The Flash just yesterday. Just goes to show we never really know what's around the corner.

[The Joker]

This times a billion. Batman Beyond is all most of us ever really wanted from Keaton's return. Warner Bros Discovery is disappointing everyone right now, but one way they could placate our corner of the fan base is to make the BB movie. Don't connect it with the DCEU. Make it a one-off sequel to the Burton films. Bring back Burton, at least in a producer's role. Bring back Elfman. Give Keaton one last send off. That's all we want.

Couldn't really agree more.

The recent action of deleting Michael Keaton (Aquaman 2 scene, the entire Batgirl film) from the originally agreed upon multi-film deal with the DCEU is coming across as a design of sorts to just phase out Keaton's participation. Which would have been Hamada's DCEU main Batman. All that's appears to be completely out the window now, but a " Batman Beyond" is still feasible as a one off swan song like you said. Or if not a "Beyond" movie, a "Batman 3" bookend. Keaton's "LOGAN" so to speak. 

I wouldn't be shocked if Keaton walked away from the franchise altogether. He's shot three films for the DCEU, and two of those three performances are not being released. If they ask him to come back and reshoot his one remaining performance, he might just say 'I'm too old for this' and call it quits. I wouldn't blame him. It doesn't look good for an actor to work on a major motion picture and then have his performance replaced with that of another actor. People in the industry will be wondering what happened: was he difficult to work with, or was his performance just bad? Even if it's neither of those things, suspicions will abound. This sort of situation can't be good for any actor's career.

All of that makes a ton of sense, which could very well be the case right now with Keaton's perspective. If, and it's a big IF, WBD floats the idea of a Burtonverse bookend/coda/farewell unnamed Batman project to Keaton, especially after all of this, getting Burton involved would probably be mandatory at this stage in order to honestly entice Keaton at this point. Those two guys like to collaborate and work together (along with guarantees that the film would actually be released, ect). That much is certain. Plus, the news and attention of those two reuniting for a Batman movie would be pretty substantial. A one-two punch so to speak. Otherwise, from Keaton's POV and ego, why waste time filming more "lost media"?

[The Dark Knight]

Not a prediction, but just thinking aloud - what if we're seeing the forced closure of the DCEU right now? Word is that Ezra Miller won't be retained going forward. If The Flash isn't scrapped altogether I can envision reshoots happening for the end segments, making Keaton one and done. And not requiring any version of recasted version of the Flash to appear later to save Batfleck from the trapped universe. Because as is, I'd say The Flash is the only character that makes sense doing that. Altering Aquaman 2's release schedule and making it a Flash tie-in works in with my theory. Until we hear what comes next, they're not blowing up the balloon. They're popping it.