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WMG / The Flash (2023)

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     Pre-Release 
We'll see Barry's cameo in Crisis on Infinite Earths (2019) from his perspective
It is speculated that Barry took the name 'The Flash' after his brief interaction with Arrowverse Barry during Crisis on Infinite Earth, and that he based the new suit on his counterpart. If this is true, it makes sense that we'd see the meeting between the Barry's, possibly using it to not just explain the aforementioned changes to DCEU Barry, but what caused him to start experimenting with time travel and the multiverse in the first place.

There will be Canon Discontinuity with Batman Forever and Batman & Robin, those two Batman movies will no longer be canonical, due to the appearance of the Batman from Michael Keaton.
After it was confirmed that Michael Keaton's Batman will appear and it will be the same Batman from Batman (1989) and Batman Returns, then the films from Batman Forever and Batman & Robin will no longer be canonical in Batman's Burtonverse, as that would explain the tone shift and Batman actors in those two movies, the Tim Burton Batman was dark, gothic and violent, while the Joel Schumacher Batman is more colorful, lighthearted and optimistic, clashing heavily with the tone seen in Tim Burton's two previous Batman movies.
  • As confirmed by Kevin Smith during his Crisis on Infinite Earths aftershow, Batman Forever, and by extension Batman and Robin do indeed take place on another Earth. Though whether this will factor into the movie is unknown since this was revealed in an aftershow.
    • Zigzagged due to George Clooney's version of Batman appearing at the end, in another timeline.

Connected to the above, the events of the Flash will lead to the shift and different appearance for Batman between Batman Returns and Batman Forever.
Barry's actions create fluctuations in the time stream, altering the fabric of reality, creating shifts and alterations in the time-line for the Burton-verse.

Christopher Nolan's Batman will not appear in this movie, for various reasons...
It's cool and interesting that we finally see Michael Keaton's Batman again in this movie, but, there are many fans who would also like to see the return of Christian Bale's Batman from Nolanverse But it is likely that we will not see it here for several reasons:

1) The Batman of the Nolanverse is very far from joining a universe of superpowered superheroes as gods, since Nolan's vision was, to create a "Realistic" Batman in a "Realistic" world as well, so it would not make sense that the Batman from the Nolanverse joined a group of shiny capes.

2) In the Nolanverse; There are no powerful superheroes like Superman, Wonder Woman, and Hawkman or metahumans like Flash, Aquaman, and Cyborg. Christopher Nolan's Batman exists only in a universe where there are no super-powerful beings like gods or beings from outer space like aliens.

3) In the Nolanverse: There are no characteristic elements of Batman's villains such as the Lazarus Pit and immortality of Ras Al Ghul, the name and costume of the Scarecrow, the Laughing Gas and the white skin of the Joker, the black and white suit and Two-Face's split personality, Bane's Venom, and Catwoman's trademark name and whip.

  • Moreover, Bale's Bruce Wayne retired after The Dark Knight Rises.
    • Maybe he shows up in his retirement alongside Anne Hathaway's Selina Kyle with a daughter of their own called Rachel. And if they wish to show the Nolanverse's Batman, they can have Joseph Gordon-Levitt show up as Batman or Robin, as he was implied to don those mantles at the end of Rises.
    • Jossed.

Val-Zod will get involved somehow as a lead-in to his series
During Barry's travels through the multiverse, Val-Zod will make a cameo appearance and help Barry out somehow.
  • Jossed.

Villains that might appear in The Flash.
Since The Flash will be appearing in the film, there are some possibilities on any of his enemies appearing in the film.

  • Professor Zoom
  • Captain Cold
  • Gorilla Grodd
  • Reverse Flash

Heroes that might appear in The Flash
Since The Flash is going to appear in the film, there are some possibilities on any of his allies appearing in the film.

  • Iris West
  • Jay Garrick
  • Wally West
  • Kid Flash
  • The Flash (Arrowverse)
    • It will be the alternate counterpart that DCEU Flash has met in Crisis on Infinite Earths.
      • Jay Garrick appears in a cameo in the multiverse sequence at the end.All the others are jossed.

This movie will be used to retcon Ben Affleck's Batman and other characters/actors they have no use for out of existence.
We all know that the notoriously difficult production of Justice League (2017) led to a breakdown of sorts for Ben Affleck, leading to a relapse in his alcoholism and giving up on his own solo Batman film. Understandably, he may have had enough, the experience is probably bitter for him now and he wants out. Warner Bros.. and Henry Cavill are also reportedly on the outs due to their plans for a black Superman and they may wish to be rid of him (or he wants out himself).The "Flashpoint" storyline would be a perfect way to bid farewell to Batfleck and write him out in a dignified and interesting way. The situation with Cavill is more up in the air, but this would be a perfect opportunity to cleanly remove actors who wish to leave (or who WB wishes to be gone) from the franchise while continuing with the ones they have no problem with (Gadot's Wonder Woman, Momoa's Aquaman, The Flash obviously, and so on). Their wish to distance themselves further from the Snyderverse (fan outcry be damned) would also factor into such a decision as well.
  • Adding some further fuel to this theory was a report that Michael Keaton had signed on for multiple movies, not just this one. A situation where Affleck’s iteration of Batman dies or is erased from existence could and Keaton’s Batman takes his place in a rebooted timeline could be a potential outcome. There’s also the matter of the directors of the upcoming Batgirl movie claiming Batman will appear in that film, but refusing to confirm whether or not it will be Affleck’s version of the character, opening up the possibility that Michael Keaton’s older version of Batman will be used instead.
  • Henry Cavill has confirmed on several occasions that he's far from done playing Superman and wants to explore the character further, so if he does get retconned out of existence it won't be of his own volition.

The movie will be used to set the stage for a new Justice League.
Related to the above theory, it’s likely that WB will one day attempt another Justice League film despite the failure of the theatrical cut. However, with several of the lead actors either no longer involved with the franchise or at least having their futures up in the air (namely Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill and Ray Fisher), as well as the company’s desire to distance itself from the “Snyderverse,” a direct continuation is unlikely.

Instead The Flash may end with several of those characters no longer existing (at least in the incarnations they did before), with Supergirl and Michael Keaton’s Batman joining Barry in a rebooted timeline of some sort. This will open the door for a new Justice League film that’s a Soft Reboot in the vein of The Suicide Squad, with original characters Flash, Wonder Woman and Aquaman joined by newer DCEU additions like Supergirl, Shazam, Batgirl, Black Canary or Blue Beetle.

The DC Multiverse will be introduced
Since it will be having alternate variants/counterparts of the DC Heroes, It is likely that a few more besides the Michael Keaton Batman will appear in the film as well as in the future.

Ben Affleck’s Batman will die in a Heroic Sacrifice.
As of October 2022, it’s still yet to be confirmed that Ben Affleck will be returning to the franchise beyond this movie. Given that Andy and Barbara Muschietti claimed that Affleck’s Batman has a major emotional impact on the story, as well as Affleck’s prior mention of wanting a “graceful and cool” exit from the role in 2017, his version of the character could get a major Tear Jerker sendoff where he sacrifices himself.
  • Jossed

The other Flash is secretly Malcolm Thawne, Barry's secret twin who had a hand in the chaos.
Given how there's another Flash in the trailer and is played by Ezra Miller too, it could be possible that the other flash is Malcolm Thawne, who secretly works for Professor Zoom in creating the paradox.
  • Jossed.

The 1989 Batman exists in the same universe as the Christopher Reeve Superman.
Keaton Batman will tell Flash that Reeve Superman sacrificed his life to save their Justice league in a huge battle with Lex Luthor and the Legion of Doom.

The Keaton Batman never had a Costume Evolution.
There were no super villains after Penguin's death. This Batman fought mostly street punks and mob bosses after Batman Returns. It would explain why he hasn't upgraded his batsuit and batmobile.
  • Assuming Batman '89 is canon to this universe, he's dealt with at least one more rogue since then.
    • Jossed. His new costume is more heavily armored than the classic one, and features a black utility belt where the original was yellow.

The Monitor will make an appearance in The Stinger
  • Jossed.

Prediction on which non-DCEU characters may return in this film
It's rumored that, in addition to Michael Keaton reprising his role as Batman, the film will include a ton of cameo appearances, possibly of characters seen in films released before or that aren't set in the DC Extended Universe. Maybe even Alternate Self versions of DCEU characters, given how Michael Shannon and Antje Traue are returning as General Dru-Zod and Faora-Ul despite their predicaments at the end of Man of Steel. So let's make a prediction!

Heath Ledger's Joker may have an appearance in the film.
Yes, I know that several people, Christopher Nolan included, would dislike that, but if the Muschiettis considered to bring back Marlon Brando's Jor-El, Cesar Romero's Joker and Burgess Meredith's Penguin despite the actors being long dead, maybe Ledger's Joker shows up? He is an important part of DC's film history..
  • Jossed.

The Flash will be recast
  • Ezra Miller's recent arrest will serve as a Role-Ending Misdemeanor and they'll be replaced with another actor (possibly Grant Gustin) for this or future films.
    • In addition, the consequences of this film will include a Cosmic Retcon that turns Barry into another lookalike Alternate Self of the Earth-1 Flash.
  • Or Warner Bros. decides to introduce Wally West.

The movie will be used to wrap up the DCEU
  • With it now having been confirmed that Wonder Woman 3 has been cancelled and that the next Superman movie will be a complete Continuity Reboot starring a new, younger actor instead of Henry Cavill, it's looking increasingly likely that DC Studios will be rebooting and recasting most of the franchise. The very premise of The Flash gives them an in-universe Reset Button that could be used to introduce the concept of a reboot in-universe, similar to the ending of Justice League Dark: Apokolips War.

The movie will have a sad ending, so Barry will have to travel again.
  • Considering that it is a broad adaptation of Flashpoint, the possibility of a sad ending is not out of the question.

The Burtonverse's Batman will be shown to have married.
And he married either Anne Hathaway's Catwoman or Kim Basinger's Vicki Vale.
  • Jossed.

The Burtonverse will reference both Crisis on Infinite Earths (2019) and Batman '89.
Maybe its Bruce Wayne retired from being Batman after he and Catwoman killed Two-Face and one of the Joker imitators became the new Joker?

The other Barry is actually Eobard Thawne in disguise.
  • Eobard has impersonated Barry in the comics. More than once. At one point he even thought he was Barry. He might regain his memories or reveal himself in the climax.
  • Jossed. The other Barry is just Barry from that timeline.

Themyscira and Atlantis will be at war.
Like in the original Flashpoint.

The Batman played by Michael Keaton isn't his version of Bruce.
He's playing Thomas Wayne, Bruce's father. If they're sticking close to the original Flashpoint it would make sense for Thomas to appear, and would keep with DC's habit of bringing back previous actors to cameo in current continuities. Note that Barry in the trailer never actually calls him Bruce.
  • Jossed. Michael Keaton is playing Bruce Wayne.

The DC Multiverse will be used in future films

One of the Barries will become the Reverse Flash
Thus making Eobard Thawne Adapted Out. My guess is that it will be the "original" Barry, for added drama points.
  • Jossed.
  • Eh, kind of. A future version of Alternate Barry becomes something resembling the Daniel West Reverse-Flash after years of rewinding trying to fix things, but he's officially labeled "Dark Flash".

Supergirl in the movie will not just be Superman's previously unseen cousin, but basically/really be a Gender Flip of him.
In the changed timeline, Kara and her parents may exist instead of Kal/Clark and his parents. Or she may just be Jor-El and Lara's kid herself. Her full Kryptonian name may even just be Kara-El instead of Kara Zor-El/Kara Jor-El to keep it simpler, and to mirror Kal-El more closely. If we assume pretty much the same Krypton stuff from Man of Steel happened, then it gives her and Zod a closer connection too.
  • Jossed. Kal-El was Killed Offscreen by General Zod before he could make it to Earth in Man of Steel.

The Entire Snyderverse Saga Was A Prequel To Batman and Robin All Along
One of the possible endings discussed by fans is a last minute twist at the conclusion of the film, where Barry receives a visit from a version of Bruce Wayne that he is not familiar with. Rumours are that this Bruce is none other than the one portrayed in 1997's Batman and Robin by George Clooney. This ending would thus retroactively mean the entire Zack Snyder era can serve as a prequel to the Joel Schumacher movies.
  • Jossed. While in the end Barry meets a version of Bruce Wayne played by George Clooney, the world around them resembles the original world Barry is from, and not the wacky cartoonish world of Batman And Robin.

     Post-Release 
The other Barry was originally written to be Wally West
A younger, less experienced Flash who ends up becoming the Dark Flash would already be suspicious enough, but some leaked merch had him labeled as "Kid Flash" as well. Perhaps he was written as Wally before someone pointed out the backlash that would ensue from having Wally die/become the villain.

Barry's mom knew it was him at the end.
When Barry goes back in time to undo the damage he caused he has one final, tear jerking conversation with his mom. She seems to pause for a moment during the chat. Almost as if she realizes that somehow, she's talking to an adult version of her son. In the TV show, when Arrowverse Barry undid Flashpoint, he had a similar talk with his mother before she died. Even before he revealed who he was she seemed to recognize him. Not to mention, that's his mom, a parent will recognize their kid no matter how long it's been or how old they are.

The Keaton Batman in this film may not be the same one from the Burtonverse.
He is probably A Keaton Batman, but not THE Keaton Batman.
  • It’s very much open to interpretation but the movie does reference events from Keaton’s original Batman movie.

Tom Cruise played Martin Brundle in The Fly II
And that closes the circle of Different World, Different Movies. The people at 2013!Barry's place stopped talking about movies before getting to that one.

The Keaton Bruce was married to Catwoman
The CW Arrowverse hinted at Catwoman and Keaton Bruce being married sometime after Batman Returns. The movie doesn't contradict this. Just because we don't see Selina Kyle in the mansion, doesn't mean he didn't marry her. Maybe he divorced her after 20 years of marriage. Maybe she died during a big battle with a supervillain.

The one red universe sphere we didn't see the inside of belongs to The Nolanverse's Batman
  • Every "Chrono Bowl" belongs to a different bit of the past when it comes to live-action DC movies and television (The Donnerverse Superman films, George Reeve's Superman TV show, Adam West's Batman, and Nic Cage's scrapped Superman Lives project.) The only one notably absent is The Dark Knight trilogy, who would have been right at home with the rest considering the multiverse scene was basically one big trip down memory lane, making it a perfect fit for the one universe we didn't see. Odds are a full cameo just didn't happen because Christian Bale wouldn't have come back unless Christopher Nolan got involved, and Nolan and Warner Bros are still on bad terms.

Eric Stoltz convinced Crispin Glover to reprise the role of George McFly in Back to the Future 2 and to play Seamus in 3
Glover even went as far as to play George in some episodes of the cartoon series.

The Ocean trilogy was erased by Flash's time travel
That's what he gets for creating a timeline where George Clooney is Batman.

The DCEU wasn't entirely restored, because the can of tomato sauce was placed in another part of the grocery store shelf and Barry didn't realize he changed the location.
.This is why at the end of the film Barry's father is cleared of the accusation, this did not happen in the original DCEU timeline and this is also why Ben Affleck's Batman is replaced by George Clooney's Batman (not to mention other changes unknown to us), Barry moved the can of tomato sauce unintentionally and because it wasn't in the exact location it was before, it didn't completely restore the DCEU (or Barry ended up on another Parallel Earth because of it).[[folder]]

[[folder: Sequel Theories]]

The DCEU is the same universe as the Burton/Schumacher films, and Bat-ffleck was the same Batman as the previous films all along

Basically, the DCEU turned out to be a Stealth Sequel to the original four batman movies and we never realized it. Ben Affleck Batman was always meant to be the same Batman as the original four films, having retired after his previous adventures, until the events of Man of Steel set things rolling for him to return. The "new" Joker seen in Suicide Squad and the Snyder Cut is actually a copy cat who was inspired by the original Nicholson Joker, and he killed Robin and possibly Batgirl. All the Flash gives us is an in-universe explanation for why Batman looks different in different films; each of the different Bruces; Keaton, Kilmer, Clooney, and Affleck, are just from different variations of the same timeline caused by Barry's time traveling shenanigans, but ultimately all four of them are the same Batman overall.

Dark Flash's True Origin
So the film implied that Dark Flash had to meddle with history just to even exist, but given the altered timeline was doomed, there might be more to the story than we've been told.

The original Flash may have returned to his present day after changing history, only to find Earth was an inhospitable deathworld. Realising he'd cuased a massive mistake, the Flash scoured the last 10 years to find out what happened and narrowed it down to the Kryptonian invasion. He then travelled back to that time and empowered himself, but coming into contact with the Altered present had some kind of negative side-effect on him.

The events of that incident then played out exactly the same as they did in the film. After Alternate Barry is turned into Dark Flash, he decided to shove the original Flash into his timeline in the hope of getting more streamlined history with a pristine Flash who could fare better in combat against Zod's forces.

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