Andy Muschietti’s The Flash took fans on a beautiful stroll down memory lane where they once again met Michael Keaton’s Batman. Keaton resigned from his superhero duties after starring in Tim Burton’s Batman and Batman Returns. Therefore, fans were thrilled to see the actor reprise his role after over three decades.
Unfortunately, if you were hoping to see Michael Keaton in future endeavors of the DC Universe, we have bad news for you. While many expected that the actor would become a full-time member after his cameo in The Flash, that is not the case. Michael Keaton only returned for one film, despite previous reports stating that he would be the Nick Fury of the DCU.
Michael Keaton’s Return was a One-Time Thing
According to KC Walsh of Geeks Worldwide, the DCU was planning to adapt the comic book event, Crisis on Infinite Earths, before James Gunn and Peter Safran took over. This means that the DCU would incorporate Michael Keaton’s Batman into the storyline, somewhere somehow.
In 2020, The Hollywood Reporter reported that Keaton was “in talks” to reprise his role as Batman. As if this wasn’t good enough for the fans, the outlet also reported that Keaton is not returning for one, but multiple projects. THR wrote,
“If a deal makes, Keaton wouldn’t just return for Flash but possibly for several other DC-oriented film projects. Sources tell THR that the role being envisioned for the veteran actor is akin to the role played by Samuel Jackson as Nick Fury in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, something of a mentor or guide or even string-puller.”
However, thanks to the younger Superman making his way into the superhero world with Superman: Legacy, it’s safe to say those plans ended up in the trashcan. If THR’s report was authentic, it’s disappointing to see Keaton’s supposed projects getting canceled. But hey, let’s look at the bright side; at least we got to see him don the Batman suit once again, right?
The Flash’s Box Office Opening
After being hailed as one of the best superhero films in a long time, it looks like Ezra Miller’s The Flash did not quite meet the fans’ high expectations. For its box office opening, the film was only able to bring in $55 million over three days. This is clearly lower than Warner Bros’ $70-75 million expectations for the three-day weekend.
In its debut, the film brought in a worldwide total of $139 million, adding the international numbers ($75 million), and the extra fourth day of the weekend which brought the domestic total to $64 million.
According to reports, The Flash was made with a budget of $200 million, which does not include the $100 million reportedly spent on marketing. Therefore, in order to break even, the film will have to make over $600 million, worldwide.
Do you think The Flash has got what it takes to pick up speed at the box office (no pun intended)?
The Flash is currently playing in theatres.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
