Last night millions of people gathered in front of their televisions and computers to watch the premiere of the new trailer for The Flash. They even aired a football game, which acted as a cool bonus feature for the trailer.
I’m joking, obviously, but while many of my friends were talking about the big game or its star-studded halftime show, I was busy watching the debut trailer for DC’s summer blockbuster again and again. I know I’m not alone when I say that I hit pause many times, trying to capture every frame. There are so many iconic moments, exciting action sequences, and fun bits of DC lore. Here are some of the awesome takeaways from The Flash’s first trailer.
Flash of Two Worlds
Barry Allen will be teaming up with quite a few heroes in this film, but it looks like one of the most interesting partnerships will be the one he has with himself. Thanks to the magic of time-travel, Barry has come face to face with a time doppelganger, and their chemistry is something else. The shot of them both in costume speeding into one another and locking boots was amazing. It was also fun to see Ezra Miller get exacerbated with themself. Double the Flash means double the fun!
Flash Ring, Do Your Thing
Did anybody else geek out when they saw the Flash costume ring? For those who are unfamiliar, the costume ring holds Barry Allen’s Flash costume when he isn’t wearing it. When it’s time for action, Barry opens the ring and the costume expands, allowing Barry to quickly put it on. The ring has been around since Barry first appeared in 1956’s Showcase #4. This is a Silver Age concept being brought to life in a live-action superhero film, and they made it look completely awesome.
Bat-Affleck is Back!
Ben Affleck is back for another stint as Batman, and it looks like he’ll be getting plenty of action. The trailer featured footage of Affleck on his Bat-Cycle, and shots of him in a new costume. Affleck’s chemistry with Ezra Miller was one of the best parts of Justice League, and it’s nice to see that relationship continuing.
Kneel Before Zod!
It takes more than a broken neck to stop General Zod. It appears that The Flash will be going back to where it all began, 2013’s Man of Steel. Zod is getting another chance to terraform Earth, and this time there is no Superman to stop him. As I watched this new footage of Zod, I was quickly reminded of how effective Michael Shannon was as a villain. His return is a nice way to pay tribute to the DCEU’s legacy.
“I’m Batman”
Michael Keaton is back as Batman, and it’s like he never left. Time-travel really does exist, because seeing Michael Keaton in his Batman suit took me back to 1989 and the summer of Batmania. Hearing the classic Danny Elfman fanfare was pure kismet, and hearing Keaton say his classic catchphrase “I’m Batman,” was the cherry on top. I can’t believe it’s 2023 and we’re getting a new movie with Michael Keaton reprising his role as the Dark Knight. Not as an Easter egg, not as a cameo—Michael Keaton is in this movie, fighting alongside the Flash and Supergirl. And speaking of Supergirl…
Girl of Steel
Kara Zor-El has arrived and I can’t get enough of her! From the moment Sasha Calle stepped onto the screen, I was hooked. Did you catch that shot of her punching Zod in the face? I need to see the rest of that scene right now! Did you see the way she tossed those soldiers like ragdolls? Sasha Calle’s Supergirl is a force of nature, and I can’t wait to see what she does next.
Scooby Dooby Doo
Young Barry Allen is wearing a Scooby Doo shirt when he’s dancing with his mother. It probably doesn’t mean anything, but it made me smile, so I wanted to mention it.
Flashpoint
It’s great to see Supergirl, Zod and multiple Batmen, but in the end, this is Flash’s story and what a story it is. This film is drawing heavily from Flashpoint, one of Barry Allen’s most consequential and heartbreaking stories. For those of you who are unfamiliar, the story focuses on Flash going back in time to prevent the murder of his mother. However, Barry’s actions cause major changes in the timeline and the results are catastrophic.
Think of it this way, imagine how you would feel if the only way to save the universe was to allow your mother to be murdered. This is going to be heartbreaking and the trailer already gives us a sense of it. “I’ve created a world with no metahumans,” Barry says with horror as he watches Zod’s invasion. What does that mean? How will the DC Universe look when the dust settles? Remember, this film won’t necessarily have the same ending the Flashpoint comic had.
I know this movie is a cautionary tale on time-travel, but it would be cool to jump to June immediately so we can see this movie now. I need to see more of that Zod vs. Supergirl fight and more of Michael Keaton in action. Unfortunately, time-travel is still fiction, but this trailer has given us plenty to chew on for the next four months. I know I’ll be spending much of the time devouring every frame and coming up with theories on what we’ll see in the movie.
The Flash races into a theater near you on June 16, 2023. For more on the Scarlet Speedster and his upcoming film, be sure to visit our official Flash hub.
Joshua Lapin-Bertone writes about TV, movies and comics for DC.com, is a regular contributor to the Couch Club and writes our monthly Batman column, “Gotham Gazette.” Follow him on Twitter at @TBUJosh.
NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in this feature are solely those of Joshua Lapin-Bertone and do not necessarily reflect those of DC Entertainment or Warner Bros.
