Michael Keaton as Batman again? Remembering the Flashpoint buzz from 2020
A trip down memory lane to 2020 when Michael Keaton was rumored to don the Batman cape again for Warner Bros.' Flash movie. A comic universe rocked by potential!
Michael Keaton
The world of entertainment has seen countless moments that have left fans agog. And today, we're revisiting one such moment from 2020, when whispers floated around of Michael Keaton possibly returning as the iconic Batman for Warner Bros.' Flash movie.
A Shocking Return to Gotham?
The year 2020, already tumultuous in so many ways, received yet another jolt. Word on the street was that Keaton, who had immortalized the role of Bruce Wayne in Tim Burton's 1989’s Batman and its 1992 sequel, Batman Returns, might be returning to the Batcave. This was particularly shocking given the controversial casting choices that followed his exit from the Batman franchise. Though he later went on to amass praise in roles such as Birdman and the Vulture in Spider-Man: Homecoming, his shadow as the Dark Knight lingered.
Flashpoint: A Timeline Twist
The Flash movie was not just any ordinary DC flick. It promised to dive deep into the Flashpoint story arc, infamous for its alternate timeline in the DC Comics universe. In the Flashpoint timeline, the dynamics were all flipped: a young Bruce Wayne met his demise in the infamous alleyway incident, leading Thomas Wayne to become the Batman of that timeline. This narrative curveball led to wild speculation: would Keaton return not as Bruce Wayne but as an aged Thomas Wayne?
Moreover, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter at the time, there was potential for Keaton’s role in the Flash movie to parallel Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury in the MCU – an overarching presence influencing multiple superhero narratives.
To add to the buzz, Warner Bros. was simultaneously working on another Batman film, helmed by Matt Reeves, with Robert Pattinson as the masked vigilante. This made Keaton's speculated return all the more tantalizing, throwing the fandom into a whirlwind of anticipation.
Revisiting this moment from three years ago reminds us of the beauty and unpredictability of the entertainment realm. With timelines, universes, and iconic characters crossing paths in unexpected ways, it's a testament to the magic of storytelling, ensuring fans are forever on their toes!
(Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.)