The Flash Breaks James Gunn's Rule on Superhero Film Cameos

The Multiverse Cameos in The Flash

James Gunn recently expressed his disdain for unnecessary cameos in superhero films that add nothing to the story, and The Flash breaks Gunn's rule.

Christopher Reeve As Superman & Helen Slater as Supergirl in The Flash

In The Flash's climactic ending, the three alternate versions of Barry Allen witness the impending collapse of the multiverse. As Barry gazes on, he sees several multiverses that contain alternate versions of classic DC heroes. This included George Reeves' Superman, Adam West's Batman, Helen Slater's Supergirl, Christopher Reeves' Superman, and Nicolas Cage's Superman.

Nicolas Cage as Superman in The Flash

While all these cameos may seem like little more than fan service, they actually do serve the story. All of these variants are looking back at Barry, seeing their worlds collide. Seeing all these universes on the brink of destruction inspires Barry to make the ultimate sacrifice by letting his mother die so all these worlds can survive. While the CGI on some of these characters is questionable, it's a great way to pay tribute to these actors while furthering Barry's motivations.

Adam West's Batman in The Flash

The Impact of Multiverse Cameos

The Flash's multiverse cameos have a significant impact on the storyline, inspiring Barry to make a crucial decision that affects the fate of multiple worlds. While some may view these appearances as mere fan service, they are instrumental in furthering Barry's motivations and adding depth to the narrative.

The silhouette of Christopher Reeve's Superman in The Flash

George Clooney and Jason Momoa's appearances in The Flash, however, fail to adhere to Gunn's rule on unnecessary cameos. Clooney's return as Bruce Wayne and Momoa's brief appearance as Aquaman do little to serve the plot, and their significance is questioned in light of Gunn's perspective on cameo appearances in superhero films.

Footage of George Reeves as Superman in The Flash

Breaking Gunn's Cameo Rule

While The Flash's multiverse cameos align with James Gunn's criteria for meaningful appearances, George Clooney and Jason Momoa's cameos in the film break Gunn's rule. Their brief and seemingly inconsequential appearances highlight the challenge of balancing fan service with narrative significance in superhero movies, raising questions about the role of cameos in advancing the plot and character development.

George Clooney appears as Bruce Wayne in The Flash