While Spider-Manfans have discovered all the secrets of Marvel’s multiversal crossover movie, DC is gearing up for their own big screen superhero collaboration in next year’sThe Flash. While we already know thatBen Affleckand Michael Keaton will both be donning the Batsuit in the multiverse movie, Affleck has now murkied the waters a little further by suggesting that fellow Batman actor George Clooney could possibly be in the film, although he has seen no evidence of it. So is it possible that Warner Bros. is lining up the mother of all surprise returns?
George Clooneywas the last actor to play Batman in the cinematic run of films that began with Michael Keaton bringing the Dark Knight to screens in the Tim Burton-directedBatmanandBatman Returns. Val Kilmer took over the role forBatman Forever,to then be replaced by Clooney inBatman & Robin, which many believe almost killed off the Batman franchise after becoming a bright, sparkly series of puns and very tame action sequences tied together very loosely. Following the 1997 release, Batman wouldn’t return to the big screen until Chris Nolan redefined the character inBatman Beginsin 2005 and revived the character for another crack of the whip.
Since then we have seen Ben Affleck take on the iconic role inBatman v. Superman: Dawn Of JusticeandJustice League, a take on the character that has divided some fans. That was especially so when it was announced that his planned solo Batman movie had been abandoned in favor of Robert Pattinson’sThe Batman,who will become the latest actor to appear as the Caped Crusader on the big screen in the movieIMDb recently listed as the most anticipated movie of 2022. So with Batman currently riding a wave of popularity would Warner Bros. really want to remind fans of the Dark Knight’s darkest hour by bringing back Clooney for a cameo?
Affleck addressed the possibility of another Batman hiding in the wings forThe Flashwhen he appeared onJimmy Kimmel Live. When the subject of his appearance in the movie was brought up, Affleck suggested that while he doesn’t believe that George Clooney will appear in the movie, if the filming had been done in secret then it was entirely possible, as he didn’t actually see Michael Keaton on set at all. Affleck said:
“He definitely would blow it. Which is why I can tell you now, I don’t believe he is [in the movie]. If he is, he hasn’t told me, so maybe he thinks I’d blow it. It’s possible. He may be very guarded. As far as I know, he didn’t want to return to that height of cowl ears, but I don’t believe he’s in The Flash. But I didn’t even see Michael Keaton.”
While fans will continue to theorize right up to the point of the movie’s release next year, it seems unlikely that any other previous Batman stars will feature in the storyline, which seems to center onThe Flashcausing the death of at least one of the two versions of Batman known to appear in the movie. With Affleck having not worked directly with Keaton on set, it is likely that they will not be seen sharing screen time in the movie. While it would be a fun twist to seemore versions of Batman appearing together, perhaps two bookending iterations of the Dark Knight will be more than enough to bring a DC multiverse story to life.
