SPOILER WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. If you haven’t had a chance to see the film yet, you may want to click away to another one of our wonderful articles.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice introduces audiences to a whole lot of big DC characters – including the Dark Knight, Wonder Woman, Cyborg and Aquaman. We have reasons to be excited for the futures of all those Justice League members in the growing DC Cinematic Universe, but the hero that we want to shine a light on right now is Ezra Miller as The Flash.
The Scarlet Speedster gets two significant moments in the Zack Snyder blockbuster, not only popping in from the future, but also seen on security cameras taking out a criminal robbing a convenience store. One of these sequences is a touch more interesting than the other, but both do remind us of the great potential that exists in introducing The Flash to a big screen franchise. Read on for why we’re excited to see more of Barry Allen in cinemas after Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
Time travel is always cool
As comic book fans will tell you, when Flash makes his big first appearance in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, it’s not actually present day Barry Allen who is talking to the abruptly-awoken Bruce Wayne. Instead, the Scarlet Speedster is employing one of the many tricks his super speed permits, and is clearly traveling back in time to warn Batman of a dangerous possible future. Purely speaking as a life-long fan of superheroes and science-fiction, it’s simply exciting that this fantastic narrative element will be employed by the DC Cinematic Universe in the near future.
It’s true that we don’t know exactly how experienced Ezra Miller’s Flash will be as a superhero by the time we catch up with him in Justice League, but eventually he will figure out how to break the time-space continuum and revisit previous events – either to deliver warnings or change the future. Everything from Back to the Future to Terminator to X-Men: Days of Future Past have shown that time travel can be a great device in blockbuster storytelling.
He will open some much bigger plot lines and expand the continuity
On beyond the story possibilities that exist with Flash traveling back in time (the arc known as "Flashpoint" comes to mind), there is another fun aspect of it to consider in the context of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice: eventually the series will have to get to a point where the events that occur in the Zack Snyder film play out from a future perspective. This may happen in Justice League Part 1 or The Flash solo movie, but regardless its real function is as a tool to solidify continuity.
As the Marvel Cinematic Universe has proven repeatedly, audiences appreciate long-form storytelling on the big screen, as it suggests planning and forethought and sets up rewarding payoffs for both characters and those paying attention to the larger story being told. Flash is clearly a very important presence in whatever is unfolding in the future – which evidently also involves Lois Lane in some key capacity – and thanks to Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, all eyes will be on him as the macro-narrative further unfolds.
Flash bring even more sci-fi to the DC Cinematic Universe
Fun as time travel is, it also happens to be the tip of the iceberg when it comes to science-fiction concepts that come into play courtesy of The Flash’s incredible abilities. Not only can we expect conversations about tapping into the speed force and the scientific possibilities and drawbacks of the great power, but he is the DC Cinematic Universe’s way in to the discussion of multiple realities a.k.a. multiverse.
The building franchise has already differentiated itself from Christopher Nolan’s hyper-real Dark Knight trilogy just by having aliens and a world of metahumans, but a stronger presence of the Flash will only push this further and into more creative directions – provided that he is utilized properly. It may all admittedly be a bit confusing for non-comic book/sci-fi fans, but ultimately it could be a great introduction to some really big ideas that come packaged with dazzling visual effects and explosive blockbuster action.
There’s a good opportunity for a tonal shift
As audiences have seen portrayed on the CW series, Barry Allen/The Flash is a bright and energetic presence in the stories in which he’s written. His super speed is often utilized for fun little gags, both in down time and as comic relief during stressful situations, and he has liveliness that lights up a room. Following the dark gloominess of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, this is a character trait that could be very useful going forward.
Batman has classically been a more dour presence in the Justice League lineup, and the DC Cinematic Universe’s version of Superman isn’t exactly sunshine-y, so The Flash exists in a position where he can course correct the tone of the franchise and introduce a bit of fun and happiness. Being a younger character he can bond him Cyborg; he can race with Superman to see who is the fastest, and maybe even razz Aquaman a bit. It can be anything, so long as he actually suggests it’s kind of fun and rewarding helping and saving the world.
