How many Batmans are in The Flash?

❘ Published: 2023-06-14T15:10:00

Warner Bros.

The Flash is in cinemas now, so here’s your guide to the many incarnations of Batman that appear in the movie.

Barry Allen’s first standalone movie hit UK screens today, and rolls out across the world all week, with an official synopsis as follows: “Worlds collide in The Flash when Barry uses his superpowers to travel back in time in order to change the events of the past.

“But when his attempt to save his family inadvertently alters the future, Barry becomes trapped in a reality in which General Zod has returned, threatening annihilation, and there are no superheroes to turn to. That is, unless Barry can coax a very different Batman out of retirement…”

Which means there’s more than one Batman in The Flash. So how is that possible? And might there be more? Read on to find out, but beware of SPOILERS AHEAD!

How many Batmans are in The Flash?

There are four Batmans in The Flash. They are played by Ben Affleck, Adam West, Michael Keaton, and George Clooney.

The first Batman is played by Ben Affleck. That’s the Bruce Wayne who recruited Barry Allen to the Justice League in Justice League, and became both friend and mentor to the speedster, even though Bat-fleck wouldn’t like to admit it.

In The Flash trailer above, we hear this Bruce warn Barry about the dangers of time-travel, telling him: “If you were to go into the past, you have no idea what the consequences could be.” Barry says he could fix things. Bruce responds with: “You could also destroy everything.”

And that’s what happens, with Barry travelling back in time and causing a split in the space time continuum, resulting in the speedster coming face-to-face with a very different Batman.

This Bruce Wayne is brought to life by Michael Keaton, an alternate version of the character he played in Tim Burton’s Batman and Batman Returns. Meaning Barry has to collaborate with a much older Dark Knight than the one he’s used to.

George Clooney’s Batman returns

There’s a very brief cameo from Adam West’s 1960s Batman during a sequence in the Speed Force early in proceedings. But it’s really there for fan service.

The big news is that George Clooney makes his Batman return at the end of the movie. The scene in question plays out just before the credits roll, with Barry receiving a call from Bruce Wayne on the steps outside a courtroom.

Wayne tells him “I”m pulling up now,” then does just that, and steps out of his car. But rather than being Ben Affleck’s Batman, somehow, it’s the George Clooney version.

Barry, understandably, says “Who the f**k is this?” Followed by “You’re not Batman.” While Bruce asks “What’s wrong with you?” and gives Barry a big smile. Which is pretty much how the movie ends.

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