The highly anticipated trailer for The Flash had some big reveals and had many fans wondering why is Michael Keaton back as Batman. More than 30 years after Keaton last appeared as the Caped Crusader in Tim Burton's Batman Returns, the Oscar-nominated actor steps back into his iconic role and his appearance in the new Super Bowl trailer for The Flash has gotten a huge response from fans. However, those who may not be familiar with multiverses and alternate realities within superhero movies are likely curious how this epic return happened.
It's amusing to think about now, but when Keaton was cast to play Batman/Bruce Wayne in Burton's 1989 movie, many railed against the move. Keaton was primarily known as a comedic actor then thanks to movies like Mr. Mom, and there was premature criticism that he wasn't right for the role. Keaton, of course, went on to wow the naysayers, becoming the best cinematic Batman in the eyes of many fans. For decades, it appeared that Keaton would never again don the cape and cowl, but that changed when it was announced that he's returning for The Flash movie. His return is an exciting one for fans who never imagined they would see Keaton's Batman again.
Bringing Back Keaton Was A Smart Move For Warner Bros.
As for why Keaton is back as Batman, the reasoning behind that is likely twofold. In the last decade, Keaton has remerged as an A-list actor, and with that renewed attention has come more people looking back toward the Batman movies he starred in, movies made long before the current box office dominance of superheroes. Additionally, DC movies knew full well that for its first big journey into the multiverse to work in The Flash, it needed to feature the return of a true icon of DC cinema in order to stress that the multiverse means anything can happen.
While the decision to recruit Keaton to return as Batman was made prior to the release of Marvel Studios' Spider-Man: No Way Home, the success suggests Warner Bros. made the right call to go nostalgic with The Flash. As great as No Way Home is overall, its main attraction is no doubt the return of previous Spider-Man actors Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield. Keaton reprising the Batman role offers that same opportunity for DC, especially since he'll share the screen with another former Batman actor Ben Affleck. With Michael Keaton excited to be back, and DC excited to have him, Keaton's return in The Flash is a true win-win scenario.
The Flash Trailer Proves The Time Is Right For Keaton's Batman
While The Flash trailer might have had some viewers asking why Michael Keaton is back as Batman, there weren't many people complaining about the decision once that first footage hit. Even with all the delays, uncertainty, and behind-the-scenes drama associated with The Flash, the trailer was a huge hit, becoming the standout among all of the 2023 Super Bowl trailers. Not surprisingly, the biggest reaction was reserved for Keaton's return as Batman. Seeing him don that suit, deliver some iconic lines, and see him in action was a thrill for fans and likely not something they ever expected to see.
Even with the brief footage shown from The Flash so far, it cements how smart it was for Warner Bros to bring Keaton back. With a few bars of the Danny Elfman score and seeing Keaton's smirk under the cowl, The Flash went from a big question mark for fans to perhaps the most anticipated superhero movie of the year. Just as with Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire returning as Spider-Man, the idea of seeing Keaton in this role again seemed so farfetched just a few years ago. This excellent first trailer for The Flash made it feel real and like a dream come true for fans who get to see a beloved version of an iconic character return with Keaton allowed to do something new with the role he played so well years prior.
