The DCEU's The Flash movie is at risk of repeating a large issue that has been going on with the MCU's Spider-Man franchise. One of the upcoming DC films is Ezra Miller's solo movie, featuring his version of the Scarlet Speedster. While Grant Gustin is portraying Barry Allen in the Arrowverse, the DCEU will soon kick off another The Flash franchise that has been in the works since 2014. The movie will be drawing inspiration from the DC storyline Flashpoint that involves time-travel after Barry goes back to the past to save his mother from being murdered. As a result, Barry comes back to a new present that has been rewritten because he changed the timeline. While the original comic arc was mostly about time travel, the DCEU iteration will also include the DC Multiverse concept.

The Flash will not only be Barry's opportunity to get the spotlight on the big screen, but it will feature a number of DC characters, new and old ones. Sasha Calle has just recently been cast as the DCEU's iteration of Supergirl that will debut in Miller's film. However, the Girl of Steel will also be joined by not one but two versions of Bruce Wayne/Batman. Both Ben Affleck and Michael Keaton are set to portray their respective take on the Dark Knight, with the latter being involved because of Barry's rewrite of reality. While it's expected that other DC characters will be added, Batman's role is what's slightly concerning, since it parallels an issue that the MCU has with Tom Holland's Spider-Man.

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Ever since Holland was cast as Marvel's iconic web-slinger, his character arc has been incredibly dependent on his relationship with Iron Man. Rather than being mostly independent as he is in the comics, Peter's entire Spider-Man saga has in more ways than one tied into Iron Man. Peter was basically the son Tony never had, and the long-time Avenger became a father figure for the teen Avenger. Holland's past Spider-Man films have been influenced by Iron Man's presence, both physically and spiritually. The Flash is, similarly, now relying a bit on Batman with two separate incarnations of the Caped Crusader. This is Barry's first movie and with such a big arc coming up for him with Flashpoint, the focus needs to be solely on him.

Ben Affleck as Batman, Michael Keaton as Batman, and Ezra Miller as Flash

The Flashpoint idea is certainly a strong opening for a Flash story, but in the end, it has to be Barry that shines through. Having two Batmen that in some ways helps him becomes the same problem that Spider-Man: Homecoming had with Tony's inclusion. The Vulture was even a result of Tony's actions through Damage Control that drove Adrian Toomes to villainy. Spider-Man: Far From Home, despite Iron Man being dead, had Mysterio as a super-villain because of Tony's past actions. Keaton's Batman coming back for The Flash makes sense because of Flashpoint involving the Multiverse. However, there are still two Batmen in this story, and it comes off as this story trying to service other characters more than Barry.

The Flash is not a vehicle to be used for Michael Keaton or Affleck's Batmen to somehow get a wrap-up to their respective stories. Neither should they be intended to somehow have to help Barry or make him look beneath them. Batman has already had many opportunities on screen and the last thing any version should do in The Flash is overshadow Barry as the story's protagonist. As cool as it looks on the screen seeing Batman be the one to give Barry his new suit, on paper, it already takes away something from the hero's own development. Crossovers are always a fun storytelling device, but for The Flash's case, it's not worth it if it repeats MCU's Spider-Man problem.

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