Arrowverse Crisis Already Set Up Michael Keaton’s DCEU Batman Return

Michael Keaton's return to Batman in the DCEU's The Flash movie can be traced back to Arrowverse crossover Crisis on Infinite Earths. The DC picture, which is set to adapt Geoff Johns' Flashpoint storyline, will seemingly include the Multiverse concept that The CW's DC TV franchise has primarily established over the last 8 years. The 5-part crossover not only featured a cameo of Ezra Miller's Barry Allen meeting Grant Gustin's version, but it solidified DC's entire live-action franchise of TV and film in the same realm spread across multiple Earths. With the DCEU officially being one of the alternative realities in Greg Berlanti's shared franchise, it also opened the door for other DC films to be included.

Despite Earth-DCEU not having a specific designation yet, Warner Bros.' main continuity for their ongoing superhero films wasn't the only tribute that the DC movies got. In the first episode of Crisis on Infinite Earths, which was the Supergirl hour of the event, the Monitor (LaMonica Garrett) has a monologue about the Multiverse that leads into a montage of other Earths. One of them was the Earth that belonged to Keaton's Batman franchise, set on Earth-89 (a nod to the release of Batman in 1989) where that world was seconds away from being wiped out. The only character to reprise their role from the film was Robert Wuhl's Alexander Knox as he is reading the latest edition of Gotham City Gazette, where Keaton's Batman has just captured Jack Nicholson's Joker.

Even though he doesn't appear in the flesh, Knox sees the Bat-Signal glowing in the skies, hoping that the Caped Crusader is watching it. While Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) rebooted the Multiverse, it still remains to be seen if Earth-89 was one of the worlds to get restored. Although Keaton reprising his Batman in The Flash film is still not a complete deal, if he signs on, he would portray a Dark Knight that is 30-years older. But the idea of an older version of Keaton's incarnation of Batman was primarily set-up through Crisis on Infinite Earths.

Michael Keaton as Batman and Ezra Miller as Flash

With The Flash film embracing the larger Multiverse concept, it signals the even bigger significance of Crisis on Infinite Earths for Warner Bros.' DC properties on the small and big screens. Not only did it allow the Arrowverse to get a reboot, extending its longevity, but it also gave the studio an angle that competes with Marvel Studios' MCU as they're only beginning to scratch the surface of the Multiverse concept. Even the scene with Gustin and Miller's Flashes crossing paths broke the barrier between the TV and film divisions as the two shared universes engaged with one another for the first time.

Regardless of how he will appear, Keaton's Bruce Wayne will likely be very different from the one he played in Batman and Batman Returns. As Keaton is being eyed to return to the DC world, only time will tell what else director Andy Muschietti is planning with his take on Flashpoint. Following the teasing of producer Barbara Muschietti that updates were incoming, it's possible that fans will find out more about the project. The Flash is set to join DC's FanDome in August, meaning that in less than two months, a better picture for the film will be given as it gets ready to start production in the near future.

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