The Flash is set to feature the final appearance of Ben Affleck as Batman. A new figure shows off what his Batsuit will look like in the upcoming DC Universe film.
The Flash serves as a bittersweet for Batman fans. On one hand, fans will see the grand return of Michael Keaton as Batman after over 30 years, along with him encountering a number of DC heroes and villains that were never present in his old films. On the other, it marks the final appearance of Affleck’s version of Batman, who was the first hero to expand the Snyderverse beyond Henry Cavill’s Superman. While many fans may lament the end of this era of DC films, brand new merchandise ensures fans that Affleck will be going out in style. Images of a newly-revealed McFarlane Toys figure of Affleck’s Batman can be seen below:
While Affleck won’t be returning as Batman, the future for the character is bright. A sequel to The Batman is already well into production and Batman: The Caped Crusader, which serves as a spiritual continuation of Batman: The Animated Series has also received a two season order at Amazon. Fans will also be treated to a brand new actor for the Dark Knight in the upcoming Batman: The Brave and the Bold film in James Gunn’s new DCU. This also isn’t the first reveal of The Flash by McFarlane Toys. Previous toy lines have accidentally revealed the secret identity of the film’s main villain as well as a surprise cameo from another Snyderverse hero.
The Flash’s DC Universe future
Warner Bros. Discovery already has a script for a potential sequel to The Flash, written by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, the man behind the two Aquaman movies starring Jason Momoa. However, James Gunn and Peter Safran did not discuss the Flash sequel during their DC Universe presentation.
DC Studios co-head James Gunn recently described The Flash as “one of the greatest superhero movies ever made.”
Directed by Andy Muschietti from a script written by Birds of Prey scribe Christina Hodson, The Flash is inspired by the Flashpoint comic book storyline, which followed Barry Allen as he navigated an altered DC Universe. Written by Geoff Johns and penciled by Andy Kubert, Flashpoint radically altered the status of the DC Comics universe and led to the launch of the New 52 titles.
In addition to Ezra Miller, The Flash also features Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck as two separate versions of Batman, Ron Livingston as Henry Allen, Maribel Verdú as Nora Allen, Kiersey Clemons as Iris West, Michael Shannon as General Zod, Antje Traue as Faora-Ul and Sasha Calle as Supergirl. Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Rudy Mancuso and Luke Brandon Field are also on board in undisclosed roles.
The film’s official synopsis: Worlds collide in “The Flash” when Barry uses his superpowers to travel back in time in order to change the events of the past. But when his attempt to save his family inadvertently alters the future, Barry becomes trapped in a reality in which General Zod has returned, threatening annihilation, and there are no Super Heroes to turn to. That is, unless Barry can coax a very different Batman out of retirement and rescue an imprisoned Kryptonian… albeit not the one he’s looking for. Ultimately, to save the world that he is in and return to the future that he knows, Barry’s only hope is to race for his life. But will making the ultimate sacrifice be enough to reset the universe?
The Flash hits theaters on June 16, 2023.
