With both the returning Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck's versions of Batman set to appear in The Flash movie, does that mean the two Caped Crusaders will meet? Batman has starred in many movies, even dozens when one includes animated works. He's arguably DC's most popular character ever, although Superman and Wonder Woman are certainly in contention for that distinction too. Batman has just about done it all onscreen, but never before have two separate versions of Batman taken part in the same live-action film.

Making that development all the weirder is that this isn't even two different iterations of Batman, with two different characters inside the iconic suit. Instead, both Batmen set to be included in the DCEU Flash movie are versions of Bruce Wayne, with Keaton's having fronted the classic movies directed by Tim Burton, and Affleck of course serving as Batman in all prior DCEU appearances. Robert Pattinson's younger and imperfect Bruce Wayne will also debut in 2022 as part of Matt Reeves' anticipated The Batman, introducing yet another version of the iconic Caped Crusader.

With three Dark Knights soon to be running around the current DC movie landscape, even if The Batman isn't part of the DCEU continuity, things look to be getting rather crowded in Gotham City. With DC joining Marvel in going full-on into a multiverse structure with its upcoming efforts, does that mean Keaton and Affleck's Batmen will come face to face? It definitely could happen.


So far, and unsurprisingly for a major DC or Marvel movie release, the plot of The Flash is being kept tightly under wraps. However, it's known the multiverse is involved, which makes sense when one considers the inclusion of two Bruce Waynes. Barry Allen can also use the Speed Force to time travel, as seen in the Snyder Cut of Justice League, and one assumes that comes into play in his multiversal journey. Continuity-wise, it would certainly be simplest for Flash to interact with Keaton and Affleck's Batman in their own separate universes, and not have the two come face to face.

At the same time though, the idea of two Batmen, much less two Bruce Waynes, meeting each other is just too tantalizing a prospect for DC to ignore it. They know full well that having the Bruces meet would likely prove to be an amazing moment that thankful DC fans would remember forever, provided the movie itself is good. A scenario could easily be set in which Flash can't solve a problem or defeat a villain without the simultaneous help of both Keaton and Affleck's Batman, necessitating that their paths cross, or even that they battle together. Basically, it doesn't make much sense to have two Batmen, then never have them meet. One possible caveat is that, should both Keaton and Affleck be interested in returning for further films, Warner Bros. may opt to delay their meeting for an even bigger Flash sequel.

The Flash (2022)
Release Date: Nov 04, 2022