Highlights
- Michael Keaton's Batman retired because he accidentally killed a criminal in front of their child, mirroring his own traumatic experience.
- The deleted scene discussing this backstory was cut from The Flash, possibly due to the decision of director Andy Muschietti or the studio.
- Although The Flash received mixed reviews, the Batman scenes were highlights, showcasing why Muschietti was chosen to direct Batman: the Brave and the Bold.
The Flash director Andy Muschietti revealed why Michael Keaton's Batman retired in the first place, adding a whole new layer to the character and the film.
The Flash received mixed reviews from fans and critics. It was also a box office flop expected to make less money than Green Lantern. For many fans who saw The Flash, Keaton was one of the movie's highlights. In The Flash, Keaton's Batman has been retired for 25 years until Barry Allen comes along and needs his help. The film doesn’t address why he is retired.
In a featurette titled Let's Get Nuts: Batman Returns, Again, Warner Bros. gives a behind the scene look at Keaton's return as Batman. In the video, Muschietti reveals that Keaton's Batman retired after accidentally killing a criminal in front of their child. This was supposed to mirror the way Bruce Wayne's parents were murdered in an alley in front of him. The same thing that created Batman was also what made him quit.
A deleted scene by Discussing Film on Twitter shows the two Barry's talking about this while in the back of the Batwing. It has yet to be revealed why this was cut from the film. It could have been Muschietti's decision, or it may have been the studio’s decision. It is known that one of the first things James Gunn did when he became Co-CEO of DC Studios was to change The Flash ending, so he may have decided to cut this scene as well.
Muschietti said he wanted to “subvert expectations” with Keaton's Batman in The Flash, and this backstory would’ve done it. There are many ways in comics, TV, and movies that Batman's retirement can be handled, whether it be the death of someone close to him, being injured, or realizing that he has gone too far. This version falls into that final option by mirroring Batman's story wonderfully.
The Batman scenes in The Flash were some of the film's best parts. It is clear why Gunn chose Muschietti to direct Batman: the Brave and the Bold. Although fans may be worried about another superhero film directed by Muschietti after The Flash did so poorly, hopefully, a more grounded story and a character that he works well with proves to be more successful.
The Flash is currently available to buy Digitally.
Source: Warner Bros./YouTube