In relation to this, a new set of behind the scenes photos have surfaced thanks to social media. They give us our first look at Michael Keaton returning as Bruce Wayne from the Tim Burton 1989 Batman movie, as well as Sasha Calle as a new version of Supergirl.
Flashpoint Paradox
The Flash film based on the DC Comics superhero was announced as early as 2010 when the Ryan Reynolds starring Green Lantern film was set to hit in 2011. In fact, a Flash movie had been long in discussion and development as the early 1980s. But after the Green Lantern movie became a critical and commercial disappointment, the Flash project underwent another period of redevelopment. With the success of Man of Steel in 2013 and the intent of Warner Bros. to match the Marvel Cinematic Universe by developing the DCEU (aka DC Extended Universe), the Flash and other key Justice League related films were reinvigorated. By 2014, plans had been set to have the Flash film released after the Justice League, with the tentative date of March 2018. Multiple directors such as Seth Grahame-Smith, Rick Famuyiwa, and others were connected to helm the project before Andy Muschietti finally took ultimate control. Ezra Miller was cast in the role, beginning with cameo appearances in Batman v Superman Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad, both released in 2016. Miller would then appear in a full role in the 2017 Justice League movie. But due to the mixed reactions that Justice League received, the Flash movie (then titled Flashpoint) went through another round of revisions and reschedules. With the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the film continued to encounter delays and rescheduling. Rewrites were also conducted, mainly to accommodate the changing plans of Warner Bros. with regard to how to continue the DC Extended Universe. As the idea of the DC Multiverse was being explored as a means to make course corrections for the future of the attached franchises, the plot of the Flash film further expanded. In the film version, the universe that Ezra Miller’s Flash would encounter will instead be the one established in the classic Tim Burton directed Batman film, which is one of the most influential superhero movies of the modern era. With this change, the production went about casting Michael Keaton to reprise the role of Bruce Wayne/Batman as he appeared in Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992). The actor signed on and confirmed for the role in August 2020. Ben Affleck will also be reprising his role as Batman for the Flash film, though to what extent has yet to be confirmed. Sasha Calle was then later cast as Supergirl to be part of the Flash film. This would be an alternate version of the Supergirl character, further confirming that the Flash movie will be exploring multiple timelines and realities.
Flash Set Photos
Filming for the Flash began in April 2021 in Leavesden, England, the location of Warner Bros. UK studios. As the on location shooting were made public, fans and media were able to snap photographs of the cast filming scenes in the UK.
— DC Updates (@UpdatedDC) June 20, 2021 The photos revealed the look Michael Keaton will be sporting out of costume as an older, more grizzled version of the Dark Knight, with a wig that is styled in a way that mirrors his past look in the role of Bruce Wayne. The set also showed Bruce Wayne’s civilian car, which is a Mercedes Maybach 6 concept car. In addition, Sasha Calle’s Supergirl will have her natural dark hair. This is in stark contrast to the traditional blonde hair on Kara Zor-El, Superman’s cousin. However, there is speculation that Sasha will not be portraying a version of Kara Zor-El, but rather a different character from DC’s history that also adopted the name Supergirl. In the comics, a dark haired Supergirl has appeared at least twice. One is Cir-El, who was a brainwashed young woman given Kryptonian powers and false memories by Brainiac. Another version of Supergirl with dark hair is Lara Lane Kent, the daughter of Superman and Lois Lane from an alternate timeline. Also spotted on the set are Ezra Miller in civilian costume, but wearing a distinctive ring on his finger. Fans of the Flash will recognize this as the Flash ring, which is a special containment unit where the Flash keeps his costume. Along with Ezra Miller, Kiersey Clemons was also seen, reprising her role as Iris West. Clemons portrayed the role in the Justice League movie, but was removed from the theatrical cut, though her scenes were added in the DVD release and the HBO Max Justice League: Snyder Cut.
This is his car, not Affleck’s, and I hear this is from the end of the movie and he’s now permanently in the #DCEU Video tomorrow with full breakdown of all these set pics! pic.twitter.com/pO38KSIUUJ — Grace Randolph (@GraceRandolph) June 20, 2021
Flashback to the Future
According to sources, the scene being filmed where the photos were taken is going to be part of the conclusion of the film. This would imply that Keaton’s Bruce Wayne will be transitioning from the Burton universe to the DCEU. But this does beg the question of what happens to Ben Affleck’s Batman during the course of the film.
— DC Updates (@UpdatedDC) June 19, 2021 Would Affleck’s Batman/Bruce Wayne be erased from the new timeline? And what about Sasha Calle’s Supergirl and what her connection to Henry Cavill’s Superman will be? How big of a change will the Flash film mean for the course correction being done on the DCEU? Stay tuned to Xfire’s continued coverage of the Flash movie to find out! The Flash stars Ezra Miller as Barry Allen/The Flash, Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne/Batman, Sasha Calle as Supergirl, Kiersey Clemons as Iris West. Directed by Andy Muschetti, the film is set for a theatrical release on November 4, 2022.
