Exclusive: The Flash Director Andy Muschietti Reveals Mind-Blowing Plans for Michael Keaton's Batman

The Flash's screenplay, as described by Michael Keaton, is "really good" and draws inspiration from the Flashpoint storyline. As a result, fans of the iconic Batman character will be delighted to see Keaton make more than just a cameo appearance in the upcoming superhero blockbuster. Keaton had previously stepped away from the Batman franchise due to creative differences with Joel Schumacher, who took over from Tim Burton. However, after a hiatus of 30 years, Keaton agreed to return as Batman one last time in The Flash, thanks to Muschietti's convincing.

During a recent promotional interview, Muschietti shared his emotional connection to bringing back the Batman that left a lasting impression on him as a teenager. The promotional video offers a glimpse of Keaton's iconic Batman, evoking nostalgia for fans. Muschietti expressed his excitement in bringing back Keaton as Batman, stating, "The idea of bringing back Michael Keaton as Batman was very exciting to me because I saw Batman in the movies when I was a teenager. It was a character that left an impression on me in a way that no other Batman did." Producer Barbara Muschietti also expressed that bringing back Keaton as the Tim Burton Batman was a major factor in their decision to make The Flash. Muschietti compared it to bringing back a classic, like the Beatles, stating, "Most people think that they won't see that again in their lifetime." Furthermore, Muschietti revealed that Keaton was so awestruck by the Batcave set that he filmed it to send to Tim Burton. Despite the excitement, the elephant in the room remains as Keaton's Batman return is cut short due to the DCU reboot.

Under previous WB President Walter Hamada, the original plans were for Sasha Calle to stay on as Supergirl and Keaton to continue as Batman in Batgirl. However, the cancellation of Batgirl and the change in direction under new leadership led to the retconning of The Flash's storyline, resulting in Keaton's Batman return being a one-time event. Despite this, fans may still hold The Flash in high regard for its tribute to the franchise's origins in Man of Steel and for bringing back Keaton's Batman. Perhaps one day, Warner Bros. Discovery will release Batgirl and reveal what could have been next for Keaton's Batman.

The Flash will be released in theaters on June 16, 2023.

Source: The Flash Film News