The Arrow-verse's "Crisis On Infinite Earths" crossover just got even battier! The five-part event was already slated to include Batwoman, a former Batman, and a former Boy Wonder, and now it seems Michael Keaton's movie Batman exists in the Arrow-verse as well. This news doesn't come in the form of a formal announcement or somebody spotting Keaton back in his Batman duds on set, but rather a photo of the "Crisis" set. Take a look!
Well, it's not Michael Keaton reprising his role as Batman for "Crisis On Infinite Earths," but it's something! It was never likely that Keaton -- or Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman, for that matter, despite the recent return of her whip - would be dropping by a CW series. Still, there was no guarantee that that Keaton's Batman existed on one of the Arrow-verse's infinite Earths, so this set photo from "Crisis" is definitely exciting.
In this scenario, Bruce apparently either made it work with Selina after she didn't die in Batman Returns or the timeline just doesn't match between the movies and whatever Earth this is in the Arrow-verse. Personally, I like the idea that Michael Keaton's Batman exists on Earth-89. Keaton did become one of the best live-action Batmen of all time following his debut in 1989's Batman, after all!
Now, the Arrow-verse technically hasn't shown its Batman yet, as his absence is a big part of what drives his cousin Kate Kane to take up the cape and cowl as Batwoman. It's not impossible that the Arrow-verse's Batman is actually a version of Michael Keaton's Batman. Who knows? Maybe his disappearance was just Bruce taking off for an extended honeymoon without giving anybody a heads up.
Why Michael Keaton Didn't Make Batman 3
In all seriousness, I highly doubt that the Arrow-verse would cast its Earth-1 Batman as anybody who couldn't reasonably appear and recur as necessary, similarly to how Supergirl handles Earth-38's Superman, played by Tyler Hoechlin. That's not to say Earth-1's Batman will appear on Batwoman any time soon or appear in "Crisis," though; Supergirl wisely allowed the Girl of Steel to establish herself as superhero and leading lady before bringing in one of the biggest names in DC Comics history.
So, will the announcement of Michael Keaton's Bruce Wayne's engagement to Selina Kyle be any more than an Easter Egg in the background? There is an awful lot that will have to be happening without a lingering shot of this newspaper cover, even beyond the battiness of the crossover.
There are three Supermen coming in, on top of Harbinger and Black Lightning characters and a Supernatural star! Throw in the casts of Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow, and Batwoman, and there may be limited screen time for background Easter eggs. Only time will tell.
The crossover is still a couple of months away, but The Monitor's appearance in the Season 6 premiere of The Flash indicates that Arrow-verse heroes will be dealing with the build to the Crisis throughout the first half of their seasons. Especially Arrow, thanks to Oliver's deal with The Monitor!
Arrow will be the last of the Arrow-verse shows to premiere this fall, as Legends of Tomorrow is being held until midseason. Catch the first episode of the final season of Arrow on Tuesday, October 15 at 9 p.m. ET on The CW.
