Warner Bros. Discovery is going to great lengths to prevent any spoilers about the highly anticipated film, The Flash, from being leaked to the public. With the release date just two weeks away, the studio is taking extreme measures to keep the ending a secret, including offering only one premiere and even blurring out segments of the ending during screenings. The film, which features notable DC Universe characters such as Batman, Zod, and Supergirl, is expected to have a significant impact on the franchise's future.
Will The Flash Reset The DC Universe?
There has been much speculation about how The Flash will impact the DCU, with some suggesting it will serve as a reset tool. This theory is supported by the Flashpoint storyline from the comics, which dramatically alters the universe and introduces new versions of beloved characters. For example, Michael Keaton is set to replace Ben Affleck as Batman, while Supergirl will replace Superman. However, there is also the possibility that The Flash is a way for the DCU to distance itself from recent negative press surrounding Ezra Miller. While some fans have suggested that the film could be a means of writing Miller out of the franchise, this seems unlikely given the actor's efforts to improve their behavior and seek treatment for personal issues. At present, it appears that Warner Bros. Discovery remains committed to Miller and will not be making any drastic changes.
The potential reset of the DCU does not necessarily imply the end of all established characters. The newly appointed co-heads of DC Studios, James Gunn and Peter Safran, intend to preserve certain aspects of the current universe. Notably, Viola Davis will continue to portray Amanda Waller, and Gunn has assured that other characters and actors will also remain. Despite Henry Cavill's departure as Superman, this does not preclude the inclusion of actors like Miller and upcoming heroes into the DCU. Regardless of how The Flash concludes, it is evident that some facets of the previous DCU will persist.