Summary
- The potential for The Flash 2 depended on the success of the first film and whether it fits into the new architecture of the DC Universe.
- There is already a finished script for The Flash 2, which features the return of Michael Keaton's Batman and Sasha Calle's Supergirl.
- The Flash 2's story could focus on the multiverse chaos and the aftermath of The Flash, potentially introducing a new reality created by Barry Allen.
Will The Flash 2 ever happen after The Flash? What role might Barry Allen play in the franchise’s future? Will the DCU's upcoming reboot completely recast the DC speedster and throw everything from the DCEU movie timeline out? With James Gunn’s Superman: Legacy kicking off the new DCU, signs have never looked particularly promising, but that doesn't mean plans weren't drawn up.
Andy Muschietti's story, which draws from DC Comics event Flashpoint, deals with the multiverse and time travel, and The Flash's ending sets up the potential for an alternate timeline that could continue despite the DCU reboot. At this stage, despite The Flash's box office performance, a sequel has never been officially canceled, with Aquaman's David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick having penned a script already. Even if it doesn't happen, here's everything you need to know about The Flash 2.
The Flash 2 News & Key Articles
The Flash 2 Key Articles
- The Flash 2 Would Have Answered 1 Big Villain Mystery, But Don't Hold Your Breath
- The Flash 2 Could Happen At DC, But It Needs To Hit A Specific Box Office Target
- The Flash 2: No One Can Replace Ezra Miller In DC Movie Sequel Says Director
- The DCU's Confusing Timeline Accidentally Confirms The Flash's Return
Is The Flash 2 Happening?
When discussing the possibility of The Flash 2 happening, The Flash director Andy Muschietti (via Collider) revealed that they were waiting to see how the film does before discussing a sequel. Muschietti noted that DC is currently crafting a new architecture for its universe and that whether The Flash 2 will happen depends on whether it would fit into this new architecture. Muschietti also pointed out how “the multiverse allows all of these different worlds to coexist” and that, “hopefully,” The Flash will get a sequel. Muschietti's comments indicate that the focus is entirely on The Flash for now, and that The Flash 2 depends on a few different factors.
The Flash 2 Plans Revealed
According to Variety, there is already a finished sequel script courtesy of Aquaman scribe David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick ready for a greenlight on the sequel. That report also confirmed the return of Michael Keaton’s Batman and Calle’s new Supergirl, which is confusing given The Flash's ending introduces George Clooney's Batman. Quite what it would have built to is unclear: Walter Hamada has apparently wanted to make a Crisis On Infinite Earths movie, which The Flash does sort of set up. It obviously wouldn't have tied into the original Snyderverse plans to build to Flashpoint and then the Justice League sequels teased by Zack Snyder's Knightmare epilogue.
The Flash 2 Potential Release Date - If It Happened
The DC Universe slates currently include Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, Joker: Folie à Deux, Superman: Legacy, and The Batman - Part II. Like The Flash, Aquaman 2 is part of the original DCEU, Blue Beetle’s status in the DC Universe is consciously vague, both Joker 2 and The Batman – Part II are Elseworld films, and Superman: Legacy will kickstart a new DC Universe. Considering that both Superman: Legacy and The Batman – Part II will release in 2025, The Flash 2's release date could be as early as 2026.
The Flash 2 Cast: Ezra Miller Recasting Status & Who Would Return?
According to The Flash director Andy Muschietti, no one can replace Ezra Miller ((via The Playlist) for this iteration of Barry Allen. The Ezra Miller controversies led to uncertainty regarding Barry Allen’s future in the DC Universe, even more so because The Flash sees Miller play two Barrys. Going by Muschietti’s answer, Miller would reprise their role as Barry Allen should The Flash 2 happen. As the script includes them, it seems likely both Michael Keaton’s Batman and Sasha Calle’s Supergirl would return in The Flash 2 and George Clooney's Bruce Wayne would have to return at least briefly. Other The Flash cast members that could return include Kiersey Clemons (Iris West) and Ron Livingston (Henry Allen).
The Flash 2 Story: How The Flash Ending Sets Up A Sequel
Not much has been said about what The Flash 2’s story would look like. However, considering that The Flash is a Justice League-level multiverse film featuring multiple superheroes, perhaps The Flash 2 would go for something smaller. The Flash's ending obviously sets up more multiverse chaos as Barry Allen changed the main DC timeline to bring in George Clooney's Batman by freeing his father from prison. That multiverse meddling would presumably have to be the focus of The Flash 2.
There's also the possibility that The Flash 2’s story would have adapted something like Crisis on Infinite Earths. If The Flash 2 happens as a DC Universe movie rather than an Elseworlds film, whatever happens in the sequel would have major implications for the franchise. Either way, The Flash 2 could deal with the aftermath of The Flash, highlighting the differences between the original DCEU and this likely new reality that Barry Allen might create in the film.
Will The Flash 2 Be Part of James Gunn's DC Universe?
James Gunn described The Flash as a "fantastic movie" during the DC Universe: Chapter 1 – Gods and Monsters announcement. However, the Flash as a character was not mentioned by Gunn during the initial DC Universe slate announcement. Neither Barry Allen nor any of the other Flashes are part of the initial DC Universe: Chapter 1 slate. That raises the question of whether The Flash 2 fits into Gunn’s DC Universe plan. In addition, it leaves Ezra Miller’s future as the Flash up in the air. According to James Gunn, The Flash resets the DC Universe.
A DC Universe will never be complete without the Flash, be it Barry Allen or Wally West. Therefore, it is safe to say that a Flash will be part of James Gunn’s DC Universe, as hinted in Blue Beetle already. However, whether The Flash's Ezra Miller will return as Barry Allen in Gunn’s new DC Universe is difficult to say. Neither Ben Affleck’s Batman nor Henry Cavill’s Superman is returning for the new franchise, meaning that a Flash recast or reboot could still be on the cards. As such, even if The Flash 2 does not happen, the new DC Universe will likely feature the character at some point.
