Two existing DC movie characters who seem like no-brainers to make appearances in The Flash are Iris West and Henry Allen. Kiersey Clemons was cast as Barry Allen’s love interest Iris in Justice League but she was cut entirely from Zack Snyder’s original film when it was retooled by Joss Whedon. While fans can likely expect to see Clemons’ Iris in next year’s Snyder Cut on HBO Max, it seems plausible for Iris to also appear in The Flash and in a more prominent role.
Billy Crudup portrayed Barry’s wrongly convicted dad Henry Allen in Justice League. The plot of the Flash movie is inspired by the Flashpoint comics saga and will see Barry go back in time to try to stop his mom’s murder. So it stands to reason that Henry — hopefully once again played by Crudup — will factor into the movie somehow.
But beyond those two characters what other past DC movie characters could appear in The Flash? Read on or scroll through the slideshow below for the biggest DC movie cameos and appearances we’d hope to and, in some cases, expect to see happen along with the possible return of Michael Keaton’s Batman.
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Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman
Last seen atop a rooftop in wintry Gotham City in Batman Returns, Keaton’s return could pave the way to also bring back Michelle Pfeiifer as Selina Kyle. Did they spend the last few decades sparring across the rooftops of Gotham or did they settle down together? With Alfred and Commissioner Gordon likely both dead in this alternate universe (actors Michael Gough and Pat Hingle are both deceased), Bruce will be quite alone — and Batman without any true allies since he never did take on a sidekick in the Burton films — unless Selina’s back in his life.
That is, of course, unless Keaton’s Batman did end up getting himself a sidekick …
Marlon Wayans’ Robin
Maybe you never knew this but Marlon Wayans was cast as Dick Grayson, aka Robin, in 1992’s Batman Returns but the character was dropped from the story before filming began. (Batman ‘89 also toyed with the idea of adding Robin, with A Return to Salem’s Lot actor Ricky Addison Reed reportedly linked to the part.) What if we meet a now-adult Robin — or perhaps he’s Nightwing now — in this parallel universe nearly three decades after the events of Batman Returns? It would be a hell of a bit of fan service that would obviously need some explanation to the audience given that Wayans never did actually appear in the old movies.[/caption]
Vicki Vale
Kim Basinger’s intrepid photojournalist was swept off her feet — literally — by Keaton’s Batman in the original Tim Burton film. While their relationship didn’t pan out, it would be interesting to see her return to report on whatever intra-dimensional superhero hijinks are afoot in The Flash. At the very least, it would be nice to see her and Bruce’s relationship addressed, especially in light of the fact that she’s known Batman’s secret identity for 30 years.
Harvey Dent/Two-Face
Billy Dee Williams portrayed Gotham City D.A. Harvey Dent in 1989’s Batman but never got to play his villainous alter ego Two-Face as the role was recast with Tommy Lee Jones when Batman Forever soft-rebooted the franchise. While Williams did get to voice The LEGO Batman’s Two-Face, it might be nice to see Williams play the role in live-action, if even in an Arkham Asylum cameo. Fans need to finally see if Billy Dee’s Harvey Dent kept his mustache when he became Two-Face!
Alexander Knox
Not only did Ezra Miller’s Flash appear in The CW’s Arrowverse Crisis crossover, so did dogged investigative journalist Alexander Knox, once again played by Batman ‘89 actor Robert Wuhl. It wouldn’t be much of a stretch to bring him back here for another chance to investigate whether there’s a six-foot bat in Gotham City.
Red Triangle Circus Gang and the Penguins
So were Penguin’s goons and army of penguins still running loose in the sewers of Gotham for years after Oswald Cobblepot’s demise? Seeing Keaton’s Batman finally catch the last of them all these years later would be a nod to the last time we saw him on screen.
Justice League
It stands to reason some of Ezra Miller’s Justice League teammates could pop up in his film, most likely his buddy Cyborg (played by Ray Fisher). But given recent reports of Henry Cavill possibly appearing in future DC movies, a Man of Steel cameo here could also make sense. Or, at the very least, maybe the Flash film gives Ben Affleck’s Batman a proper send-off? After all, Zack Snyder’s Justice League 2 would’ve reportedly killed off Batfleck, so doing so here would explain why Miller’s Barry Allen might seek out a parallel universe Batman for help.
Terry McGinnis
Bringing back Michae Keaton as a 60-something Bruce Wayne naturally raises the possibility of there finally being a Batman Beyond movie sooner than later. And if you’re going to have an older Bruce Wayne mentor other possible DC heroes, as the reports claim he will, then there’s no better character to start with than Batman Beyond’s Terry McGinnis.
Joker and Harley Quinn
Although it seems Jared Leto’s tenure as Joker is over — Birds of Prey wouldn’t even show his face although they did acknowledge him — could The Flash include appearances by either Joker or his ex Harley Quinn? They were, after all, very notable members of the DC universe Ezra Miller’s Barry Allen belonged to even if it seems a long shot they would appear here. However, in the Arrowverse crossover Knox is holding a newspaper that says “Batman Captures Joker,” which doesn’t make sense since the Jack Nicholson Joker died… unless another Joker took his place?
Other Past Batmen
Could Christian Bale’s Dark Knight meet Michael Keaton’s? That would pretty much make any Bat-fan’s head explode like that poor bastard’s from Scanners. The Flash is clearly establishing that other Batman exist in their own realities.
If one past Batman is going to appear might we also see the return of George Clooney’s Caped Crusader? (Val Kilmer has largely lost the ability to speak due to cancer but it’s possible he could also somehow return.) And if Clooney’s Batman cameos could we also see a middle-aged Robin and Batgirl alongside him? This Bat-troika might not be the most appealing of additions but if you’re going to open the door to a DC multiverse and maybe have some fun with it by making Miller’s wisecracking Flash be behind it then an homage to Clooney and Co. could work.
However, any such past Batman cameos are probably moot. In their original report breaking the Keaton news, TheWrap claims the plan is to disregard the existence of Batman Forever and Batman & Robin and just focus on Keaton’s Batman. No mention was made of the Dark Knight trilogy but one could assume that only Keaton and possibly Affleck’s Batmen “count” here.
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The Arrowverse
Given that The CW did their own version of Crisis on Infinite Earths that saw both Ezra Miller’s Flash and Robert Wuhl’s Alexander Knox appear, it seems possible that at the very least The Flash might return the favor by having Grant Gustin cameo. Or could it go even further and include Kevin Conroy’s Batman or Brandon Routh’s Superman? It seems unlikely but the Arrowverse did at least open the door to the idea by having Miller and Gustin’s speedsters meet.
Halle Berry’s Catwoman
Berry portrayed Patience Phillips, not Selina Kyle, in the cat-astrophic Catwoman movie from 2004. If The Flash wanted to enjoy some cheeky Into the Spider-Verse-style fun, having Halle Berry’s Catwoman pop up at one point could score a big laugh or two.
A CG Christopher Reeve Superman Cameo
Fans have long speculated about what an old school Batman-Superman team-up movie would’ve been like starring their 1980s stars Michael Keaton and Christopher Reeve. While Keaton and Reeve did work together on the 1990s comedy Speechless, a possible CG Reeve Superman appearance has the potential of being a sweet bit of fan service — or potentially ghoulish if not handled just right. Maybe it could just be a literal fly by? Or an appearance via a Fortress of Solitude Kryptonian crystal exposition dump?
Lex Luthor
Gene Hackman, 90, is long retired from acting. While it’s highly unlikely he’d return for a Lex Luthor cameo, a geek can dream, can’t they? Hackman’s Luthor somehow being involved in nefarious shenanigans — even more cosmic in scale than his Nuclear Man battling Superman on the moon — could be fun. Or maybe his Lex is still stuck in prison doing laundry.
Jonah Hex
The idea of Ezra Miller’s Flash zipping back in time could very easily see him make an unanticipated sojourn to the Old West where he could run across — perhaps literally! — Josh Brolin’s grizzled gunslinger from that notorious 2010 DC movie dud. Brolin has enough of a sense of humor that we could see him poking fun at his own film with a brief cameo.
Which characters and returning actors would you like to see join Michael Keaton and Ezra Miller in The Flash? Let us know in the comments!
