The DCEU seems as though it’s headed towards a continuity reboot by the end of the upcoming film The Flash, but recent developments in the franchise now make it seem far less likely. The film is set to be a loose adaptation of 2011’s Flashpoint, which rebooted the mainstream DC Comics universe, and its inclusion of Michael Keaton, reprising his role as Batman from the Tim Burton universe) further suggests that the new DCEU will have him replace Ben Affleck’s Batman. Affleck has said that his The Flash role will be his last as the Dark Knight, yet two major announcements for upcoming DCEU films suggest that The Flash may not be causing quite as much of a shakeup as originally intended.
The DCEU as a franchise has, unfortunately, had quite a tumultuous history since it began in 2013. Man of Steel was a heartfelt superhero film with a well-received cast, particularly Henry Cavill as Superman, but its darker themes and destructive action sequences rendered it divisive. The DCEU’s woes were only worsened with Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, which introduced Ben Affleck’s Batman and Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman, along with a host of controversial character and story decisions, dividing viewers on the franchise even further. Solo films like Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and Shazam! have been far more crowd-pleasing, but the DCEU’s inconsistent critical receptions, lack of a long-term plan, and the departure of Zack Snyder from the franchise have suggested that a major reboot, like the sort that The Flash was implied to usher in, is necessary to reinvigorate the franchise.
The Flash will have Barry Allen travel back in time to save his mother, and like Flashpoint, the DCEU film will have his actions wreak havoc on his timeline and the multiverse itself. This will lead to Michael Keaton’s Batman and home universe of Earth-89 appearing, along with the mainstream DCEU’s General Zod and what may be another universe’s Supergirl (assuming she isn’t from another point on the main DCEU timeline). While the DCEU could be restored to normal by the end of The Flash, Michael Keaton’s role as the Dark Knight in Batgirl all but confirmed that Affleck’s Batman would be replaced by Keaton one way or another, which Affleck’s comments regarding The Flash supported. With the Batgirl movie's sudden cancellation and Jason Momoa’s recent revelation that Affleck is coming back, however, it now seems more likely that The Flash will not reboot the DCEU.
The Flash Movie's Ending Was Theorized To Reboot The DCEU
Despite enjoying his role as the Dark Knight, Batman actor Ben Affleck previously voiced his intention to depart from the DCEU franchise and referred to his role in The Flash as a satisfying ending to Bruce Wayne’s story. This, coupled with Keaton taking Affleck’s place in Batgirl led to the understandable assumption that The Flash would alter the DCEU timeline. Ben Affleck’s Batman might have been set to die in the film, allowing Keaton to take his place, but a more likely scenario is that The Flash’s alterations to the timeline would simply meld the DCEU with Earth-89 and Keaton would be playing a new version of Batman, mixing elements of the Burton version of Affleck’s (such as his history with J.K. Simmons’ Commissioner Gordon). This no longer seems to be the case, however.
Batgirl's Cancellation Makes The Flash's Ending Reboot Unlikely Now
Batgirl was noticeably absent from WB’s DC movie panel at the 2022 San Diego Comic-Con, despite the film being set for a late 2022 release, initially. While this appeared to signify a delay for the film (perhaps releasing it after The Flash in 2023), WB later announced that the film was canceled, making the futures of Leslie Grace’s Batgirl and Michael Keaton’s Batman uncertain. Ben Affleck’s Batman, on the other hand, was shown in the trailer to Shazam! Fury of the Gods (via archival footage) and not long afterward Jason Momoa announced that Affleck’s Bruce Wayne would appear in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, renewing hope for the DCEU’s original Dark Knight but calling The Flash’s ending into question.
What Could Be The Flash Movie's New Ending?
While The Flash will almost certainly retain a major role for Michael Keaton’s Batman, the DCEU’s recent developments imply that the film’s initial intended reboot for the continuity is no longer going to happen. The bulk of the film could easily remain the same, but the ending may need to be re-shot, having Barry Allen restore the DCEU to its original state instead of forever changing it. This would allow Earth-89 to remain unchanged and available to appear again in another multiverse-spanning DCEU film, but it’d also allow Ben Affleck to reprise his Batman role once again if he chooses to. With Michael Keaton seemingly no longer the DCEU’s future Batman due to Batgirl’s cancellation, it now seems unlikely that The Flash will usher in a major continuity reboot for the DCEU.
