The Flash: Did Batman Returns Foreshadow Michael Keaton’s Return?
Did Batman Returns predict Michael Keaton's role in the upcoming Flash movie? Keaton played Bruce Wayne, AKA Batman, in two films: 1989's Batman and 1992's Batman Returns. Despite only starring in those two films, Keaton's portrayal of the iconic character remains one of the very best. Batman Returns was directed by Tim Burton and introduced additional DC characters like Catwoman (Michelle Pfeiffer) and the Penguin (Danny DeVito). While not quite as well-received as Batman, it still earned fairly positive reviews upon release. Keaton then turned down the opportunity to continue playing Batman in Batman Forever and since then has stayed away from the DC universe.
However, recent news suggests that might be changing. Keaton is reportedly in talks to once again play Batman for the DCEU's Flash movie, which has been in development for a long time. Keaton's involvement isn't a certainty just yet, but if the deal goes through, he will be playing the same Batman from Burton's films. He then might go on to appear in additional DCEU films, like Batgirl, as a sort of mentor figure. Even the mere idea of Keaton returning thrilled fans, so it's safe to say that hopes are quite high.
A 2018 video showing a scene from Batman Returns has gained traction once again thanks to Keaton's potential role in The Flash. As noted by DayToDayWithJay, the charity ball scene involving Bruce and Selina Kyle (Catwoman) features what could be seen as a Flash Easter egg. The video points out how, in the background, a character wears a similar helmet to the one worn by Jay Garrick, the very first Flash. Now, many years later, Keaton could be playing Batman once again in The Flash. Coincidence?
Honestly, yes, it probably is a coincidence. The helmet in Batman Returns, while indeed resembling Jay's, is actually a reference to the Greek god Hermes. Additionally, while Easter eggs in superhero films are very common these days, they weren't as popular in the 80s and 90s. Therefore, Burton likely didn't intend this as a Flash reference. Finally, it seems incredibly unlikely that a film made in 1992 could've predicted what would happen in 2020.
Still, it's a very funny connection, one of those classic cases where a film manages to somehow connect to future events. It will be really incredible if Keaton gets to play Batman once again, especially since this will give fans the chance to find out what happened to him following Batman Returns. Since The Flash is still a ways off, it might be some time before there's real confirmation Keaton is in the film. Yet, it's certainly a wonderful prospect.
Source: DayToDayWithJay