The Flash movie: 26 DC Easter Eggs and what they mean

3. Michael Keaton’s Batman

Imagine a movie titled The Flash whose success hinges significantly on a character who isn’t even the Flash! Well, that’s exactly the situation the creators of The Flash found themselves in.

Barry Allen finds himself journeying through an alternate timeline where Batman isn’t the familiar Ben Affleck he knows. Instead, it’s the face that we 90s babies associate with Batman – Michael Keaton.

Last gracing our screens in 1992’s Batman Returns, directed by Tim Burton, Keaton’s Batman isn’t just a vital cog in the story’s machinery. His comeback serves as a major hook in the film’s marketing strategy too. What if Michael Keaton had declined the role? Did they have a plan B in their back pocket?

Questions aside, I am very happy that he did accept the role. His performance, other than nostalgia, was a breath of fresh air for a franchise that seems to be trying everything not to collapse.

4. Alternate Barry

As Barry embarks on his journey across time, he finds himself in the bedroom of his alternate, younger, and much more obnoxious self. As Barry gets stuck in this new universe, he needs alternate Barry to get his powers so he may continue to have them. It makes sense, yes. Well, it’s not what happens.

Alternate Barry does get his Flash powers, but actual Barry ends up losing his in the process. That means he needs to do a complete crash course for a very immature 18-year-old so he can master his powers and help Barry get home.

It’s great to watch how different both alternate Barry and real Barry are from each other. Barry starts to realize why he has a hard time socially, and both Barries (is that the plural of Barry? It is now.) do mature more in the process, to the point where alternate Barry sacrifices himself so he doesn’t become an evil time-traveling mutant and Barry can undo everything.