The Flash trailer revealed during Super Bowl LVII - but it’s not Ezra Miller who fans are talking about

If James Gunn’s controversial moves as co-head of the DC Extended Universe weren’t enough to muddy the waters of their upcoming schedule of films, the first trailer for the beleaguered The Flash movie finally saw the light of day during the half-time of Super Bowl LVII.

It’s led to the fandom being divided over the film, with many trying to reconcile what could be a blockbuster cinematic event for 2023 and potentially resurrect the DCEU with the fact that its lead actor, Ezra Miller, has been continuously embroiled in problematic behaviour throughout 2022.

Many DCEU fans and film buffs alike are still surprised that the film was green-lit and completed despite Miller’s ongoing legal problems in contrast to the cancelled Batgirl movie that featured Oscar nominee Brendan Fraser before Warner Discovery pulled the plug on its release.

But there has been an overwhelmingly positive response to one certain cameo appearance in the film - who was also spotted during the trailer for the film, set to be released in cinemas on 16th June 2023.

So who is the (dark) knight in shining armour that might bring some much-needed goodwill to the upcoming saga within the DC Extended Universe?

“Stop the press - who’s that?”

Eagle-eyed viewers may have already Michael Shannon reprising his role as General Zod from 2013's Man of Steel and Ben Affleck, who portrayed Bruce Wayne/Batman in the Zack Snyder era of the DCEU, alongside the inclusion of Supergirl, played by Sasha Calle in her feature film debut.

But it has been the addition of Michael Keaton donning the iconic Batman suit which has led to many fans admitting their interest in the movie - along with the slick action scenes that the trailer itself provided.

Keaton first took on the role of Batman in the blockbuster 1989 film, directed by Tim Burton and starring Jack Nicholson as The Joker, which also paved the way for merchandising from movies to become a common promotional tactic going forwards.

Keaton’s casting at the time was viewed as controversial as the Academy Award winner at that time was more known for his comedic vehicles than being an action star.

But the intensity that Keaton brought to the Bruce Wayne role helped usher in a new take on action hero archetypes; you didn’t have to be big and muscular to portray the brooding, enigmatic Bruce Wayne character.

The reveal of Michael Keaton’s Batman character in the trailer has even led to some celebrity comic book fans to admit their fandom in a very public manner.

Josh Gad, known as the voice of Olaf in the successful Disney franchise Frozen, took to Twitter to write “Imagine going back to 1989 when Batman and Last Crusade are in theatres & your younger self asks what are you all excited about in 2023 & answering Michael Keaton playing Batman and Harrison Ford playing Indiana Jones.”

Another Twitter user wrote “lowkey excited for the 2024 flash movie, Michael Keaton still looks amazing 35 years later” while one commented how “It’s so cool seeing Michael Keaton’s Batman do things that weren’t possible when he played the character 30 years ago.”

You can watch the full trailer, and spot all the cameo appearances, - are you hopeful that the movie will pull the DCEU out of its “slump?”