The Flash (2022)

[The Laughing Fish]

What exactly are we seeing here?

Because historically, The Company Formerly Known As WB didn't like having competing versions of the same character going up against each other. The Company Formerly Known As WB had some involvement in the "Bruce Wayne prequel show" mutating into Smallville. Their fear was that a TV show like that might be unwanted competition from the movie franchise they were attempting to relaunch.

TCFKAWB's fears were arguably justified when Superman Returns premiered and Smallville's core fanbase either ignored or actively opposed it while SR's fanbase rebelled against Smallville.

Let's not forget about the Justice League Mortal movie getting scrapped right at the last minute back in the late 2000s. Among many other reasons, I've heard a rumour Nolan didn't want another Batman competing with his own take.

And yet, what we're seeing now is multiple Batmen and multiple other characters too, possibly.

With the Reevesverse, it looks to me like the play is developing a sort of "shared universe" around Batman. A space for the Penguin, a space for Gordon/GCPD, etc. Presumably, the Reevesverse will only expand from there. This camp seems to be positioning their version of the Batman as a standalone character in his own immaculate universe similar to Nolan.

And yet, now there's a competing Batman (arguably two if Affleck still counts) (and who even knows anymore?) that could have his own big screen thing going on. This camp seems to be positioning their version of Batman as a character in a multiverse populated with numerous other DC heroes.

If I didn't know better, I'd think there's some sort of internecine conflict going on between at least two competing camps in this new business empire, whatever it's even called anymore. They don't seem to be on the same page, they don't seem to have the same goals and they don't seem very friendly toward one another.

And we're not even counting the "Phillipverse" and the still possible JOKER sequel that might be coming along, which is probably it's own challenge.

Am I misreading this? Or does there seem to be two sides here and each side is determined to p!$$ in the other side's cornflakes?

You're definitely onto something here. My guess is the whole multiverse PR talk is based on the idea that AT&T - whether they like it or not - desperately needed more content to compete with Disney, both in the theatrical and streaming markets. I'm not convinced Warner were totally keen on doing a multiverse, unless if they could use the concept to do a complete reboot. Another rumour I've heard is the reason there are multiple Batmen right now is because the higher-ups, whether its Warner or their owners, want an "insurance policy" just in case the reboot fails.

Which brings me to this article posted only a few days ago, if we're led to believe what Mikey Sutton says:

The Flash will not be Ben Affleck's final appearance as Batman.

Other sites and YouTube channels claim that The Flash is Ben Affleck's final performance as the Dark Knight.

Moreover, Michael Keaton will apparently be the new Batman in the DCEU.

Insiders claim this is inaccurate.

First, Geekosity Editor-In-Chief Mikey Sutton initially scooped on March 26, 2021 that Ben Affleck's Batman would perish in The Flash.

At the time, Warner Bros. wanted to erase the Snyderverse.

Ben Affleck would be the sacrificial figure a la The Flash or Supergirl in 1986's landmark Crisis on Infinite Earths comic book.

In his update on July 19, 2021, he revealed that had changed. But why?

A source explained:

Killing off Ben Affleck in The Flash takes the focus away from Ezra Miller and Michael Keaton's Batman. This isn't Endgame. It's not Affleck's story. His death would need to be the heart of the movie.

Moreover, another source added that:

It would create the worst PR backlash in DC Films' history after the success of Zack Snyder's Justice League.

In addition, Keaton's not wearing the costume again after The Flash.

He will proceed as Bruce Wayne, the mentor figure in the live-action Batman Beyond.

https://geekositymag.com/ben-afflecks-batman-wont-die-in-the-flash-movie/

The only reason I have faith that Affleck isn't quite finished with the role yet is because he came back to film those epilogue scenes for ZSJL. If the role was such a burden for him as many people thought, he would've turned down any more filming for those scenes, and Snyder has supported him to direct his own Batman film in an interview. Even so far asking out loud "why aren't the cameras rolling?".

FWIW, I've heard Sutton saying on a YouTube livestream that AT&T stepped in and stopped Warner from trying to kill off Batfleck and the rest of the Snyderverse. But what confuses me is if AT&T really sees the potential in continuing with the Snyderverse and Batfleck's standalone project, why do they let Emmerich and co get away with their shenanigans surrounding ZSJL? The current regime don't care about the backlash over their lack of marketing for ZSJL, and they certainly don't give a sh*t when they fired Ray Fisher from The Flash. So why does AT&T allow the studio to continue on with this despicable behaviour? The only logicial explanation I can think of is the company realised that WB - as a whole - is more trouble than they're worth, and sold the company off to Discovery to recuperate the debts they accumulated over the last three years.

BTW, another rumour I've read is confidence surrounding The Flash is suddenly very high and they want it to be the beginning of a trilogy. I'm not so sure how they can be so confident when they're blowing their load by making the first movie explore the multiverse, but that's the word going around at the moment.

As for Keaton? A part of me doubts his Batman would be returning right now if Keaton never made his spectacular career comeback seven years ago. Now that he's a big name actor again and enjoyed a career all-time high with the acclaim he has achieved since, Warner must've wanted his Batman to return for the following factors: the nostalgia factor, and Ezra Miller isn't an A-List star. Beyond that, I don't believe Keaton is going to be a long-term replacement for Affleck. At his age and whatever else he wants to do in his career, I suspect he will only want to play an older Bruce Wayne in Batman Beyond, and nothing more.

But time will tell if whether or any not any of these rumours are true.

[Gotham Knight]

The Supergirl HBOMAX series has been debunked. No project is currently in development.

[The Dark Knight]

The Supergirl HBOMAX series has been debunked. No project is currently in development.

I really don't care about any Supergirl show, so I'm glad that rumor seems to be knocked on the head with a sledgehammer. For now. But I have to question the longevity of HBO Max as a platform. I'm on board with the GCPD and Penguin projects, especially if The Batman matches the hype. But honestly, I'm thinking one-off movies may have been a better idea. At the core, I don't think streaming is the glorious, undeniable future people sell it to be. I'm not convinced simultaneous release schedules are a good idea. Cinema box office results are exceeding expectations at the moment. If there isn't adequate uptake on HBO subscriptions we could be looking at a big disappointment. The hunger for the Pattinson universe seems strong though, so carry over business may be high enough to finally make the service something to justify itself.

[thecolorsblend]

I'm thinking one-off movies may have been a better idea

Welcome to my world.

[The Dark Knight]

Whatever the content was he shot, Affleck had a good time.

"It was a really nice way to revisit that as the prior experience had been difficult. This was really lovely. Really fun."

https://variety.com/2021/film/news/ben-affleck-batman-the-flash-justice-league-1235080171/

[eledoremassis02]

Michael Keaton Says His Batman Suit Still Fits 30 Years Later: 'Svelte as Ever'

https://people.com/style/michael-keaton-says-his-batman-suit-still-fits-30-years-later/

[Silver Nemesis]

Andy Muschietti's teased a surprise for The Flash panel on Saturday: https://twitter.com/i/status/1448334020044066817

Any bets on what it might be? A look at Keaton in costume? A trailer? Confirmation of Michelle Pfeiffer or Billy Dee Williams making an appearance?

[thecolorsblend]

Andy Muschietti's teased a surprise for The Flash panel on Saturday: https://twitter.com/i/status/1448334020044066817

Any bets on what it might be? A look at Keaton in costume? A trailer? Confirmation of Michelle Pfeiffer or Billy Dee Williams making an appearance?

It might be cool if it's a brief ten second clip that somehow involves Keaton.

Have to keep reminding myself that Keaton isn't headlining this thing. Because I could give a crap about anything else in this movie. I'm here for Keaton.

[eledoremassis02]

Andy Muschietti's teased a surprise for The Flash panel on Saturday: https://twitter.com/i/status/1448334020044066817

Any bets on what it might be? A look at Keaton in costume? A trailer? Confirmation of Michelle Pfeiffer or Billy Dee Williams making an appearance?

It might be cool if it's a brief ten second clip that somehow involves Keaton.

Have to keep reminding myself that Keaton isn't headlining this thing. Because I could give a crap about anything else in this movie. I'm here for Keaton.

I'd take a suit-up monage, perhaps him and the flash.

[Gotham Knight]

I know we're getting a version of the video that leaked awhile back. You will remember the concept art montage and interviews. I'm thinking we'll get an official photo of Michael Keaton in character and maybe a special appearance at the panel? Hard to guess as next year, if there is a Fandome, The Flash will take center stage. That's where the real sizzle is coming. Besides, The Batman is being screened and I hear it's getting multiple standing ovations. The Batman has to have it's day. Too much Keaton and you ruin it, unless you play off the fact that Keaton and Pattinson were both offbeat casting choices that ended up shutting down idiot fanboys.