Michael Keaton As Batman Could Help Launch The DC Multiverse

In an exclusive from The Wrap, Michael Keaton is reportedly in talks with Warner Bros for the role. He will appear in Ezra Miller's upcoming "The Flash." However, the discussions are still in its early stages. No other details are available at this point.

Michael Keaton's Superhero History

Michael Keaton, now 68 years old, has had a colorful run with superhero roles in general. He first played the Caped Crusader in Tim Burton's "Batman" in 1989. He returned in 1992's "Batman Returns." Twenty-two years later, Keaton would play another winged character in 2014's "Birdman." Not DC or Marvel, Keaton portrayed a superhero actor past his heydays in the black comedy/ drama by Alejandro G. Iñárritu.

His latest work in the superhero genre as the perfectly-casted Adrian Toomes, a.k.a. "The Vulture." Keaton portrayed the winged foe in the 2017 Marvel blockbuster "Spider-Man: Homecoming." Critics lauded Michael Keaton's execution for adding a layer of humanity in an otherwise run-of-the-mill villain.

The recent news of Keaton returning to the Batcave has fueled many fan theories. Most notably, people are seeing an aged Bruce Wayne interacting with Miller's Barry Allen. A previous Batman actor returning to the role could also introduce movie fans to the multiverse concept. For non-comic fans, the DC Multiverse is a fictional continuity where infinite universes exist.

Michael Keaton's potential casting opens the possibility of Tim Burton's universe tied-in with the existing DCEU movies. On the other hand, it could be nothing more than an easter egg. It also works as a fun nod to the previous franchises of the iconic hooded character. Keaton's casting might simply be due to his expertise and history with The Dark Knight.

The Batman To Bind Them

On the other hand, Ezra Miller appeared in the TV version of "The Flash." It saw the movie Flash opposite Grant Gustin's own Barry Allen. Miller made a cameo in the TV special "Crisis on Infinite Earths." His brief appearance officially connects the cinematic universe (DCEU) to its TV counterpart (DCTV). Also, showrunner Marc Guggenheim has confirmed that Miller's "Flash" will adapt the "Flashpoint" storyline. "Flashpoint" was based on a run by Geoff Johns and Andy Kubert back in 2011. In this miniseries, The Flash is sent into an alternate timeline only he seems to be aware of.

Also, Keaton's casting as the Caped Crusader in a Flashpoint-inspired film gets DC out of its woes. Since 2016's "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice," casting changes and the separate film-TV franchise have confused fans. A multiverse could easily explain the existence of a Keaton, Affleck, and even the upcoming Robert Pattinson Batman.

After mixed responses from 2017's "Justice League," most of the original plans for the DC Extended Universe were scrapped or changed. In 2019, Ben Affleck left the Bruce Wayne role he played in the "Justice League." Affleck explained on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" that he just "couldn't crack it." So he left to let others try to create the superhero film.

As Bruce Wayne, Michael Keaton does not have to be the Dark Knight himself. In 1999, the animated series "Batman Beyond" came out. Terry McGinnis becomes the new Dark Knight. As a teenager, he was guided by Bruce Wayne in this futuristic Gotham. Keaton's wizened image in "Homecoming" had DC fans seeing the aged Wayne in him.