Michael Keaton makes a much-anticipated return as Bruce Wayne in a fan-made trailer that vividly captures the essence of his unrealized Batman Beyond film. While Ben Affleck portrayed Batman in the DCEU continuity, both Keaton and George Clooney reprised their roles as the iconic Dark Knight in the 2023 film, The Flash. According to film director Kevin Smith, Keaton’s involvement in a Batman Beyond project hinged on the success of The Flash. Unfortunately, with the film’s disappointing box office performance, which marked it as one of the lowest-grossing entries in the DCEU, the potential Batman Beyond film was ultimately shelved.
Recently, Dr FlashPoint unveiled a concept trailer that envisions what Michael Keaton’s long-awaited Batman Beyond film could have looked like, showcasing a range of characters from the beloved animated series.
This fan trailer brilliantly integrates numerous characters from the iconic animated franchise, featuring villains such as Shriek, the Royal Flush Gang, and even the Joker. The role of Terry McGinnis, the new Batman in this storyline, is envisioned to be played by Brandon Flynn, known for his work in 13 Reasons Why. Despite the enthusiasm surrounding this project, DC currently has no concrete plans to revive Keaton’s portrayal or to produce a live-action version of Batman Beyond. Instead, upcoming projects like Batman: The Brave and the Bold will introduce a new iteration of Bruce Wayne within the reimagined DC Universe.
Why the Batman Beyond Fan Trailer Resonates
The Series’ World is Faithfully Realized
At 73, Michael Keaton would be an ideal fit to portray a seasoned Batman who mentors a younger Terry McGinnis. The Flash hinted at Keaton’s potential ongoing role as a mentor figure, particularly through interactions with both versions of Barry Allen, portrayed by Ezra Miller, and Sasha Calle’s Supergirl. Originally, Keaton was expected to be a continual presence in the DCEU, stepping in as the main Batman following Ben Affleck.
The groundwork for this mentoring role was set to be explored in the now-cancelled Batgirl, making Keaton’s scenes in that context permanently unavailable. The fan trailer ingeniously embodies this concept, showcasing Keaton’s portrayal as embodying the depth and enigma needed for Bruce Wayne’s character in this adaptation. The striking neo-gothic aesthetic of the series is brilliantly executed in the trailer, highlighting key aspects of Terry’s background along with a stellar cast of villains, including the possibility of Willem Dafoe as the Joker. By marrying the show’s visual style with the pivotal Bruce-Terry dynamic, this fan project is a remarkable tribute.
Our Perspective on a Batman Beyond Feature
Michael Keaton Would Be Ideal for This Role
This fan trailer illustrates the immense creative potential a live-action adaptation of Batman Beyond featuring Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne could bring. With the recent restructuring of the DC Universe under James Gunn, there’s a possibility that this project could be reconsidered. A Batman Beyond film would align seamlessly with DC’s Elseworlds initiative, which is dedicated to projects outside of the main continuity, like Robert Pattinson’s The Batman universe. Since Batman Beyond presents a visually distinct narrative that focuses on an older Bruce Wayne, it has the potential to flourish in this framework.
For more insights, view this concept trailer: Dr FlashPoint.
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