The Dark Knight for 1989's Tim Burton-directed Batman and its 1992 sequel Batman Returns, actor Michael Keaton is due to return to cinemas in the famous cape and cowl in 2022's The Flash. And now, via 2021's DCFanDome event - which also gave us fresh looks at Black Adam and The Batman - we've finally had a proper look at the man suited and booted as his version of Bats on the big screen. Well, kinda.
Keaton's Batman is featured in the events of The Flash courtesy of some alternative-universe shenanigans - as Ben Affleck's more recent take on the Caped Crusader is in the movie too, alongside Ezra Miller as the titular speedy fella, aka Barry Allen. We have previously seen Keaton dressed for the set, but that was as Bruce Wayne. (His is the best movie-verse Bruce Wayne, still - no need to @ me to agree.) With the new trailer, we do see his Batman - but it's still much more of a tease than a full reveal.
Watch the new trailer for The Flash below to see for yourself.
Well, that was brief - but there is no denying that's the Burton Batman, as played by Keaton in '89 and '92. In the Batcave, definitely doing some Batstuff, with Allen and friends asking, "Are you in?" And yes, Barry, I am. As someone whose first exposure to Batman at the movies was those films - albeit on home video - I am very excited for Keaton's reprisal of the role. Do I wanna get nuts? Oh, you betcha. Just, gently - we're all that bit older, nowadays. Heads full of bad wiring.
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The Flash's chronology is set to ignore the events of post-Keaton Bat-flicks Batman Forever (1995: good OST, terrible movie), and Batman & Robin (batnips and nothing cooler). Probably for the best, that. Keaton has previously spoken about his return to playing Batman, telling Collider: "[It was] a little bit emotional. Just a rush of memories." He adds that the role felt "reminiscent, to some degree, of Tim Burton". That works for me.
The Flash, which also stars Sasha Calle as Supergirl and Kiersey Clemons as Barry Allen's partner Iris West, is expected in cinemas on November 4, 2022. TBC: depictions of one man rubbing another man's rhubarb, but when we know for sure, we'll let you know.
Featured Image Credit: DC Films, Warner Bros.Topics: TV and Film, DC, Batman