Up next in the DC FanDome was the panel I think I was most excited for – THE FLASH. Now, if you want to know why I'm psyched it's simple. The Multiverse. If DC is gonna really stand apart from Marvel, at least on film, this is what they have to lean into, and THE FLASH promises us not only a return of Ben Affleck as Batman, but also, in my opinion, the greatest Batman of them all, Michael Keaton.

Sadly, none of the Batmen were on hand for the panel or even mentioned by name, but Director Andy Muschietti, writer Christina Hodson, producer Barbara Muschietti and The Flash himself Ezra Miller were on hand for a quick-paced presentation. Muschietti also showed some badass concept art, including this one, which seems to suggest a sizable role for the Caped Crusader. 

Here are some more tidbits: 

• This is a time-travel film, with Hodson mentioning Andy threw a bunch of DC tidbits into IT, hoping that maybe he’d get the job years ago.
• Hodson mentioned she fell in love with The Flash when reading Flashpoint. He’s the only character that could, in a way, travel back and save those he loved, which makes him different than other DC characters who’ve experienced loss, like Batman.
• Everyone agrees Miller was born to play the role, with him possessing all the qualities of the character.
• Miller mentions that the film opens the door in a way that all the characters from various DC Universe properties can now interact. Clips from everything from the ’89 Batman to HBO’s Watchmen were shown so the possibilities are limitless.
• Muschietti also showed concept art of the new suit, which looks more like the classic version of the character, with Affleck’s Bruce Wayne being the one who built him the suit.
• Hodson noted that her best friend growing up was Robert Pattinson’s sister, so in a way, she already has a connection to the multiverse.
• For his part, Miller just wants the Flash to meet Nicolas Cage – no not Nicolas Cage as Superman in the abandoned Tim Burton film – Nicolas Cage HIMSELF. DO IT.

In the Multiverse panel that happened right before, Walter Hamada, the guy in charge of the DC film division mentioned that the script for THE FLASH always leaned into the multiverse, and it seems like in some ways “Crisis on Infinite Earths” on TV planted the seeds for the multiverse on film. So THE FLASH, WONDER WOMAN, JUSTICE LEAGUE, MAN OF STEEL, BATMAN V SUPERMAN, AQUAMAN are one universe, THE BATMAN is another, while JOKER is still another. As Hamada said, “fans love that they can lean into the fact that there can be a Flash on TV and film and you don’t have to pick one. They’re both the characters and can exist alongside each other. You can tell great stories without leaning into one continuity.”

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