Michael Keaton's Batman returns as a central character in The Flash, but fans can look forward to exciting cameo appearances. As Barry Allen ventures through the mysterious and perilous Speed Force, viewers may catch a glimpse of familiar faces. The Flash pays homage to DC's cinematic legacy by incorporating elements from the past while leaving room for future developments. While the cameos may not be crucial to the plot, they serve as a delightful addition that connects DC's cinematic universe across various mediums.
This article contains major spoilers for The Flash
11 George Clooney Returns As Bruce Wayne
In a surprising twist for both Barry Allen and the audience, Bruce Wayne emerged from his fancy car at the end of The Flash to greet Barry after his father's court hearing. However, the man who stepped out didn't have the face Barry expected. Despite everything seeming right in this new DC timeline, it turned out that Ben Affleck was no longer playing Bruce Wayne. Instead, George Clooney had taken on the iconic role.
10 Temuera Morrison’s Thomas Curry
Despite being one of the most divisive portrayals of Batman, it's exciting to see George Clooney's version make a comeback in The Flash. His return in place of Ben Affleck suggests that not everything has been fixed by Barry Allen's time-traveling shenanigans.
In his desperate search for any clue about the existence of meta-humans and superheroes in the altered reality, Barry Allen comes across the phone number of Thomas Curry, the keeper of a lighthouse and the father of Arthur Curry, who he knows as his friend Aquaman.
Barry Allen dials Thomas Curry's number and the gruff voice of Temuera Morrison's iteration answers. It's a welcome sight to see him return, even if his words to Barry are less than polite. This version of Thomas is without a son or an Atlantean Queen wife, a stark contrast to his comic book counterpart.
9 Jason Momoa Is Aquaman
When Barry Allen rectifies his mistake and returns to the original timeline, it leads to several alterations. One of the significant changes is Bruce Wayne's appearance, which is entirely different from before. The fate of the Justice League remains uncertain, with the exception of Aquaman, Arthur Curry, who shared a close bond with Barry in both Justice League and Peacemaker.
Arthur Curry and Barry Allen are the two characters who appear in The Flash post-credits scene. They are seen drinking together, but while Arthur is completely drunk, Barry’s metabolism prevents him from getting even a slight buzz. Jason Momoa’s portrayal of Aquaman is commendable, and it is speculated that his next appearance may be in the upcoming movie, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.
8 Christopher Reeve’s Superman
Christopher Reeve's portrayal of Superman in the movie Superman: the Movie is widely regarded as the most iconic and memorable. He brought the character to life with his charm, compassion, and a large heart that helped audiences around the world believe that a man can fly. His performance set the standard for future portrayals of Superman, making him the gold standard for the character.
7 George Reeves’ Superman
In a brief appearance during The Flash, Christopher Reeve's Superman and Helen Slater's Supergirl gaze up at a dimensional tear in the sky. The iconic Superman theme plays, sending audiences on a nostalgic trip down memory lane.
George Reeves' iconic portrayal of Superman in Adventures of Superman made him the first live-action actor to don the famous red cape. His legacy has endured through the years, and it's a fitting tribute for The Flash to acknowledge his contribution to the superhero genre.
George Reeves’ Superman makes a subtle but significant appearance in The Flash, existing in a black-and-white universe that highlights the diversity of the Multiverse. This nod to the past is a respectful tribute to Reeves’ portrayal of the iconic superhero.
6 Nicolas Cage’s Superman
One of the most unexpected cameos in The Flash was that of Nicolas Cage's Superman. Interestingly, Cage was originally set to play Superman in the ultimately scrapped film, Superman Lives, directed by Tim Burton. In The Flash, Cage can be seen utilizing his heat vision to battle a massive spider, reminiscent of the concept art from the abandoned Superman Lives project.
Nicolas Cage's portrayal of Superman in the long-awaited costume-fitting test for Superman Lives is a dream come true for DC fans. With his flowing locks, sleek suit, and iconic red cape, Cage embodies the Superman that fans have been waiting to see for years.
5 Helen Slater’s Supergirl
The year 1984 saw the release of a movie based on the DC character Supergirl. Despite the absence of Christopher Reeve in the film, there are some stills featuring the actor, and Marc McClure, who played Jimmy Olsen in Reeve's Superman franchise, does make an appearance in the Supergirl movie.
Despite the lack of success for Helen Slater's portrayal of Supergirl in the box office, her connection to Christopher Reeve's Superman universe remains intact. This makes it all the more enjoyable to witness these last surviving members of Krypton, Supergirl and Superman, working together to protect Earth in The Flash.
4 Teddy Sears’ Jay Garrick
Teddy Sears joins George Reeves in the black-and-white superhero world of Jay Garrick, the original Flash known for his iconic helmet. It's a heartwarming scene seeing the two Flash characters share a moment as they meet across time and space in their respective universes.
3 Adam West’s Batman
Interestingly, Teddy Sears portrays Jay Garrick in this version. Fans may recall that Sears previously played a deceptive version of the character on CW's The Flash, ultimately revealing himself to be Zoom and later, Black Flash. It remains to be seen if this iteration of Jay Garrick is truly authentic or simply a front for Hunter Zolomon's schemes.
The Flash introduces yet another version of Batman into the multiverse, this time featuring the iconic Adam West. While his cameo is brief, West's Batman still manages to make an impact by taking down villains in his signature style, complete with classic comic book sound effects like "POW!" and "BAM!"
Adam West's contribution to Batman's legacy is undeniably remarkable. It's heartening to witness his brief appearance, accompanied by Cesar Romero's iconic Joker laugh, which reinstates the fact that Batman '66 still holds its charm even after all these years.
2 Andy Muschietti
Although he may not possess superhuman abilities, Andy Muschietti wields his own kind of power as the director of The Flash. With his creative vision, he brought numerous cameos to life and added a unique touch to the film. Despite being a victim of one of the Flash's crimes, it's still satisfying to see Muschietti's contribution to the movie.
1 Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
In a humorous nod to the director, The Flash can be seen snatching away Andy Muschietti's hotdog. Although it may not be the most heinous of crimes, it adds a playful touch to the movie and brings the character's journey full circle.
One of the most unexpected cameos in The Flash comes from none other than Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, known for his iconic role as Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones. However, in this instance, Coster-Waldau takes on the role of a scruffy man indulging in pepperoni pizza, adding a quirky twist to the film.
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau may not be adorned in a cape or deliver a menacing monologue in his DCEU debut, but he brings a refreshing sense of normalcy as he enjoys a slice of pizza. Though it's a brief moment, it's a pleasant and unexpected addition to the film. Don't miss the chance to catch The Flash in theaters now.