The Flash (2022)

[The Laughing Fish]

I think it says a lot that even if these rumors are total bs, nobody is putting it past WB to pull something like this.

If I'm the head of a major movie studio and I see that fans -- ostensibly my core audience -- are expecting the worst from me, I would consider that a problem that needs to be solved asap.

Coming back to this post, I thought I'd share this unflattering tweet comparing the hype between Flash and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.



https://twitter.com/ReturnOfTheKool/status/1493031425116942338

The amount of likes to this tweet...sh*t. I don't like seeing Keaton being the butt of a joke.

You might be tempted to say social media doesn't reflect real life. In many cases, the argument is valid. Nevertheless, this is yet another indication there is a lot of antipathy and angst towards this film, and the plot rumours certainly don't help.

An unpleasant state of affairs.

[eledoremassis02]

Sadly, I am not suprised. Really the only DC movie that had massive hipe was Wonder Woman 84.

Strange has the Marvel powerhouse, Sam Raimi (really the only reason why I want to see it) and coming off of Spider-man now way home.

It's not No way home, but I'm seeing people already make comparisons.

[The Dark Knight]

I'm already expecting both Batmans to be bad in Flash. If it turns out to be good or decent, I'll recognize it. I never lie about my opinion if it turns out I'm wrong. I do it all the time here, lol.

I'd begin and end the film with Batfleck. The Batcycle chase and something towards the end when Barry accepts his friend is gone forever, as if he never existed. I'd go with a flashback of Bruce imparting some poignant message. Perhaps about never giving up hope and the power of uniting, given his experience in forming the Justice League. A stone cold dead Batman before a timeline merge requires something really worthy, especially with a seasoned veteran like this one. If that isn't up to scratch, I'd rather Batfleck just be erased by default and not die in combat at all. With Barry going back in time to save family members and not Batfleck.

[The Laughing Fish]

Sadly, I am not suprised. Really the only DC movie that had massive hipe was Wonder Woman 84.

Strange has the Marvel powerhouse, Sam Raimi (really the only reason why I want to see it) and coming off of Spider-man now way home.

It's not No way home, but I'm seeing people already make comparisons.

What's sad is for all the PR talk and spin over DC's multiverse, Marvel has already beaten them to the punch not once, but twice. DS2 was already announced in 2019, but Warner thought they had a slam dunk with Keaton's Batman appearing in The Flash in 2020. Instead, the film got delayed, and Marvel/Sony made NWH during that time. The DS2 reshoots are rumoured not because the movie was significantly changed, but they wanted to add even more cameos in the Marvel multiverse.

I haven't seen NWH, but at this stage, I'm now more inclined to watch that movie instead of The Flash. I can't guarantee if DS2 will do something drastic like the killing off of Fox's X-Men characters that was rumoured a while ago, but as I said before - from what I've heard of NWH, it's a love letter to all things Spider-Man. The way The Flash is shaping up and going by the Batgirl follow-up, it will be anything but. It will be very divisive to say the least. Looking back, I do think it's rather rich of people to complain about BvS killing Superman in his second movie, but don't seem to be bothered that Flash's first solo movie is looking to retcon the entire universe while introducing new (and potentially killing old) characters along the way. Hmm.

I know Keaton will be playing another version of Batman in Batgirl, but I'm starting to think that version will debut in The Flash. I'm not even sure if we're going to see the Burtonverse version one more time, knowing how this wretched studio is.

This gif of Chris Farley sums up my reaction to how this movie seems to be unfolding, both as a response to stuff behind the scenes and apparent plot details. From initial excitement to downright disillusionment that had been growing over time.


Again, it's an unpleasant state of affairs.

[eledoremassis02]

One of the things that made Spider-man NWH (at least for me) is that they handled nostalgia right. It wasn't just fan service. The other, more important thing, is that they finally got Peter Parker down. When it came out I saw people say that the 3 movies were a slow burning origin (they weren't, and if they were it was bad writing). Marvel does often get a pass on the same stuff DC tried (with the accept ion of Eternals) *cough big CG battles*.

I remember people complaining that Avengers got away with what Shucumacher was equally getting slammed for (at that time) for his Batman (light-hearted campy superhero flicks).

If they killed off foX-men, I don't think people would care (outside Wolverine and Dead pool) either since its another franchise that seems to be hated (or very disliked) by a large amount of people.

At the end of the day I see it like this, DC had their time and now its Marvels. DC pioneered a lot and so did Marvel. The game of catch-up is stupid (and one of WBs issues). With all this multiverse and cast collisions... Fox had them beat with Deadpool and Days of Future past (not to mention genera expansion films like New Mutants). They weren't afraid to try something new even if people hated it.

[The Joker]

I know Keaton will be playing another version of Batman in Batgirl, but I'm starting to think that version will debut in The Flash. I'm not even sure if we're going to see the Burtonverse version one more time, knowing how this wretched studio is.

Yes, at least as far as the current regime is concerned, I've had the same thought recently.

I guess there's two ways to look at it. Yes, it's very reliant on just the novelty of having Keaton back as Batman with him playing a variant right from the jump, and consequently takes some of the nostalgic 'oomph' away from hardcore B89/BR92 fans due to the detachment to the films we associate with Keaton.

However, with the current guys pulling the strings, maybe that's for the best under the circumstances? As even if it was being widely reported right now that Keaton was indeed playing Burtonverse Batman, I wouldn't be able to not feel a bit nervous on how he would be handled right now under the current regime. Perhaps, Keaton playing a variant right now works out best for everyone in the long haul. Especially so if some of the new names, who are going to slotted into positions post-merger, are a hell of a lot more competent than the present execs we've been dealing with.

Basically, this decision (even if it's unintentional) keeps the Burtonverse preserved and pristine for attainable exploration down the line. Possibly under a DC Films with more aptitude and proficiency...   

[eledoremassis02]

Keaton posted this on Instagram (for Batgirl)

[The Laughing Fish]

If they killed off foX-men, I don't think people would care (outside Wolverine and Dead pool) either since its another franchise that seems to be hated (or very disliked) by a large amount of people.

I grew tired of Fox's X-Men, but I wouldn't want to see any more of those characters get killed off. It may not be my cup of tea anymore, but that doesn't mean Marvel should kill them out of spite. Besides, there are still fans of those movies out there.

I know Keaton will be playing another version of Batman in Batgirl, but I'm starting to think that version will debut in The Flash. I'm not even sure if we're going to see the Burtonverse version one more time, knowing how this wretched studio is.

Yes, at least as far as the current regime is concerned, I've had the same thought recently.

I guess there's two ways to look at it. Yes, it's very reliant on just the novelty of having Keaton back as Batman with him playing a variant right from the jump, and consequently takes some of the nostalgic 'oomph' away from hardcore B89/BR92 fans due to the detachment to the films we associate with Keaton.

However, with the current guys pulling the strings, maybe that's for the best under the circumstances? As even if it was being widely reported right now that Keaton was indeed playing Burtonverse Batman, I wouldn't be able to not feel a bit nervous on how he would be handled right now under the current regime. Perhaps, Keaton playing a variant right now works out best for everyone in the long haul. Especially so if some of the new names, who are going to slotted into positions post-merger, are a hell of a lot more competent than the present execs we've been dealing with.

Basically, this decision (even if it's unintentional) keeps the Burtonverse preserved and pristine for attainable exploration down the line. Possibly under a DC Films with more aptitude and proficiency...

You raise a really good point.

Come to think of it, I remember that fool Grace Randolph claimed Keaton would be playing Thomas Wayne ala Flashpoint, not Bruce Wayne. I never took her seriously at the time, and I still don't. But the idea that Keaton is playing a new Batman was teased long before this Batgirl stuff was happening, and maybe the signs were there and we didn't see it. In hindsight, the trades only seemed to focus on Keaton playing Batman again, but everyone assumed he would be playing the same one from thirty years ago.

Some people might try to compare Keaton playing a variant version to John Wesley Shipp playing the Jay Garrick Flash in the Arrowverse. But here's the thing: when Shipp was announced to appear in the CW's version of The Flash, nobody was under the impression that Shipp was going to reprise his early Nineties Barry Allen version. Everyone knew he was going to play Henry Allen at the time, the stuff with Jay Garrick and finally his version of Barry would come much later. Whereas in this case, it was expected Keaton would return as Burton's Batman.

Guess we will have to see. If people are smart enough to know that Patrick Stewart is playing another version of Professor X, likely a member of the Illuminati in DS2, then maybe people should tell the difference between the two versions of Batman that Keaton has now played. The question is how will the general audience respond and whether or not it's too late to explore the Burtonverse timeline. For the latter, it might very well be far too late, given Keaton's age.

[Gotham Knight]

Congratulations to Michael Keaton on his SAG win last night for Dopesick. 

[eledoremassis02]

'Batman' survey: Ben Affleck edges out Michael Keaton as best caped crusader
NEW YORK (StudyFinds.org) – Ben Affleck might be done with superhero movies, but at least he'll be fondly remembered. According to a recent poll, nearly one in three Americans still think he's the best on-screen Batman.

In anticipation of "The Batman," the caped crusader's latest film premiere on March 4, OnePoll asked 1,000 survey respondents to weigh in on who they feel brought Batman to life most convincingly by offering up their top three picks.

Overall, Affleck (31%) just barely edged out Michael Keaton as the favorite Batman version (30%). And while George Clooney's self-described franchise killer ranked low (23%), it wasn't the bottom of the list. That honor goes to Will Arnett's comedic portrayal in "The LEGO Movie" and "The LEGO Batman Movie" (21%).
Favorite 'Batman' portrayals differ among generations
Not surprisingly, age seems to be a factor. Gen Z and Millennial respondents (ages 18-25 and 26-41) gravitate toward Ben Affleck. Gen Xers (ages 42-55) favor Michael Keaton. Baby boomers (ages 57-71) prefer Adam West from the 1966 live-action TV series.

As every comic fan knows, Batman's billionaire secret identity warrants a very different performance. So when asked which actor does a better Bruce Wayne, Affleck (33%) lost out to voice actor Kevin Conroy (34%) of the '90s animated series and Arkham games.

That goes double for Gen Z and millennials, who overwhelmingly prefer Conroy's Bruce Wayne (55% and 38%). But what about Robert Pattinson, the latest man to don the cape and cowl? While respondents weren't asked to give him an official ranking before seeing his actual performance, 58% feel he'll do a better-than-average job at the very least.

One in four (25%) even theorize that he's on track to be the best Batman. Millennials seem the most divided though, which isn't all that surprising, given Pattinson's past status as a former heartthrob in both the "Harry Potter" and "Twilight" franchises.

What about 'Catwoman'?
Meanwhile, respondents have a harder time nailing down their favorite version of Catwoman, who'll be portrayed by Zoe Kravitz in the upcoming film.

Data reveals a three-way tie between Michelle Pfeiffer from "Batman Returns," Anne Hathaway from "The Dark Night Rises", and Adrienne Barbeau, who voiced Selina Kyle for the animated series. Halle Berry, the only person to play Catwoman in her own standalone movie, came in fourth with 28%.

The best thing about Batman, though, is that there's plenty of room to interpret the franchise. One in six respondents (16%) don't feel there's ever been a "definitive" version of the character.

A different one in six, however, name Michael Keaton as the definitive Batman, which makes sense. After all, while he and Affleck are returning for "The Flash," only one of them will be moving on to yet another upcoming cameo in "Batgirl"... and it won't be Affleck.

Who's the best BATMAN?
Ben Affleck – 31%
Michael Keaton – 30%
Kevin Conroy – 28%
Christian Bale – 26%
Adam West – 25%

Who's the best BRUCE WAYNE?
Kevin Conroy – 34%
Ben Affleck – 33%
Michael Keaton – 33%
Adam West – 30%
Christian Bale – 29%

Who's the best CATWOMAN?
Michelle Pfeiffer – 29%
Anne Hathaway – 29%
Adrienne Barbeau – 29%
Halle Berry – 28%
Julie Newmar – 27%

Who are the best Batman VILLAINS?
Joker – 25%
Penguin – 19%
Riddler – 19%
Catwoman – 17%
Harley Quinn – 16%
Two-Face – 14%
Bane – 13%
Mr. Freeze – 13%
Man-Bat – 12%

https://pix11.com/entertainment/batman-survey-ben-affleck-edges-out-michael-keaton-as-best-caped-crusader/?fbclid=IwAR3hl6rdyr-nsO1RhIqaaMg_HAe9KwGgX-qjCpE_LpN_Cpiee3eFNGCoDGk