In bringing back Michael Keaton’s Batman, the DCEU asks: “what happens to a hero after the time for heroics has passed?” Keaton's appearance in The Flash, scheduled for release in November next year, takes the DCEU into uncharted territory, giving viewers a story the likes of which Iron-Man, Thor, and Captain America simply can't tell. Whereas the MCU seems set up to ensure all their heroes go out at the peak of their powers - such as Iron Man’s last stand in Avengers: Endgame - it appears the DCEU is taking a different path. What happens after all the villains have been subdued? Can a hero ever truly retire to a peaceful life?
Keaton's Batman is integral to the plot of The Flash, where the titular hero will traverse several different realities in a story inspired by the Flashpoint comic book event. So far, Keaton has appeared in two movies as Bruce Wayne; Batman, released in 1989, and 1992's Batman Returns. His return to the DCEU marks the second time in recent memory that this particular Batman's world has been revisited, as Robert Wuhl reprised the character of Alexander Knox for a cameo in last season's Arrowverse crossover event: Crisis on Infinite Earths. That event also showcased one possible dark future for an elder Bruce Wayne, portrayed by Batman: The Animated Series voice actor Kevin Conroy.
Whilst fans almost universally loved seeing origin stories and early-day hero dynamics like the father/son dynamic between Spider-Man and Tony Stark, the DCEU, in calling upon an even older hero to take on that guiding role, has the chance to do something truly original in a genre that often risks becoming stagnant. If Michael Keaton’s Bruce Wayne was around 30 years old at the time of his debut, then by the time of The Flash he will be in his early 60s. This offers new perspectives from which to explore the character, his motivations, and his possible destiny. The superhero genre naturally focuses on heroes in their prime, but seeing what lies beyond that could prove to be even more interesting.
As already observed in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and then Justice League, Ben Affleck’s Batman was noticeably older and more cynical than the other heroes on the team. However, in showing audiences a superhero of pensionable age, the DCEU evolves the concept further still. The Flash is one of the younger heroes in Justice League, so it stands to reason that Keaton’s Batman may play some kind of mentoring or supporting role to him. However, the age difference between them appears to be notably greater than that between Tony Stark and Spider-Man. They will also meet under very different circumstances. This allows for a new and never before seen dynamic between these two characters.
It remains to be seen how much of Michael Keaton’s return will be as Batman as opposed to Bruce Wayne. His performance as The Vulture in Spider-Man: Homecoming showed he still has the presence for an action role. However, many critics felt the strongest elements of Keaton’s performance as Adrian Toomes/Vulture lay in the dark, sinister aura he exuded, rather than his physicality. Channeled the right way this same brooding, embittered attitude could also be applied to an elder Bruce Wayne, burnt out from decades of battle, but who still retains a refined ability to intimidate regardless.
How director Andy Muschietti decides to approach the return of Bruce Wayne/Batman and how well it is received will, ultimately, frame the narrative going forward. The DCEU now openly embraces the concept of the multiverse, whilst the MCU toys with but is yet to fully embrace the concept. So, if Keaton’s return proves a hit, it could open the door for any number of beloved characters from yesteryear to return. With both Keaton's and Affleck’s Batman appearing in The Flash and the Robert Pattinson-led The Batman due in March 2022, Bat-fans can look forward to perhaps the most exciting time in the Caped Crusader's long and storied history.