Ezra Miller’s The Flash movie will showcase an emotional arc for Ben Affleck’s Batman
After making his debut in 2016’s Batman vs. Superman, Ben Affleck’s version of DC’s billionaire genius quickly became a fan favourite. This was attributed largely to Affleck’s portrayal of Batman as being very world-weary and rugged. After Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice was released to mixed reviews, Affleck also featured as Batman in a Suicide Squad cameo before leading the team in 2017’s Justice League. Unfortunately, it was reported not long after that Affleck would not appear in a Batsuit again as he was leaving the DCEU due to certain personal circumstances.
Caped Crusader And The FlashPoint Paradox
Developments in the past year from the DCEU however, spell exciting times ahead. While the major talking point still remains the release of Zack Snyder’s Justice League Cut on HBO Max in 2021, there was an even bigger frenzy when it was announced that the Batfleck would be returning once again in the upcoming Flash movie. Which is set for the summer 2022 release, and is being directed by IT fame Andy Muschietti. Producer Barbara Muschetti explained his return “We are all human and go through great times in our lives and terrible times in our lives. Right now he’s (Affleck) in a place where he can actually enjoy being Batman.”
The Flash movie will be based on the storyline; The Flashpoint Paradox. In this plot, The Flash races back in time in an effort to save his mother but ends up in a much distorted alternate reality. The Amazons and the Atlanteans are at war, Bruce Wayne is dead and Thomas Wayne wears the cape and cowl in his stead.
According to Muschietti, The Flash movie is going to be an introduction point for the DC multiverse. The confirmed casting of Michael Keaton to reprise his Batman role further hints at the director’s intentions. Apparently, both Keaton and Affleck would be heavily involved in the plot of The Flash movie with Affleck’s Batman taking a more emotional angle to the proceedings.
Ben Affleck In The Flash
Andy, who directs the upcoming Flash movie alongside his sister and longtime production partner, Barbara Muschietti has been very vocal about his admiration for the Batfleck. “His Batman has a dichotomy that is very strong which is his masculinity-because of the way he looks, and the imposing figure that he has, and his jawline -but he’s also very vulnerable. He knows how to deliver from the inside out, that vulnerability. He just needs a story that allows him to bring that contrast, that balance.”
Watch: Ben Affleck’s Batman The Flash 2022 – Batfleck Returns!
Muschietti further told Vanity Fair, “He’s a very substantial part of the emotional impact of the movie. The interaction and relationship between Miller’s Barry and Affleck’s Wayne will bring an emotional level that we haven’t seen before. It’s Barry’s movie, it’s Barry’s story, but their characters are more related than we think. They both lost their mothers to murder, and that’s one of the emotional vessels of the movie. That’s where the Affleck Batman kicks in.”
Batfleck’s Farewell To DC
Although Pattison has long been cast as the new Batman, The Snyder Cut and The Flash movie will still feature Ben Affleck’s Batman. While it looked certain that the last time the Batfleck would appear on screen would be in Zack Snyder’s upcoming release, his involvement in the Flash movie provides the opportunity for Affleck’s version of Batman to leave the DCEU on a high note.
While the majority of DC fans have been ecstatic about the idea of getting two of the best Batmen in one movie, there are certain circles that aren’t yet convinced that the DCEU is finally on the right track. Furthermore, with the Snyder Cut reportedly under a totally different management and universe, many worry that a Flashpoint paradox might not do much to help the continuity of DC’s universe.
However, with two Batmen and a distorted paradox reality lined up for the Flash movie, there are a lot of opportunities and potential the movie can create for the DCEU. Meanwhile, Matt Reeves is currently working a solo Batman movie which was originally supposed to feature the Batfleck but will now feature Pattison’s version of the caped crusader.
The Flash movie is scheduled to be released on June 3, 2022.
