With Blue Beetle confirmed as part of the new DC Universe by James Gunn, The Flash is pretty much the last DCEU movie that represents the old regime. However, it’s hard to call The Flash a worthy grand finale to the 10-year-long franchise, as the movie just barely made it past the production cost (marketing cost excluded) at the box office, and apparently even making less than the 2011 DC disaster Green Lantern. It’s sad to see the first Scarlet Speedster’s standalone movie turns out to be the final bomb of the DCEU.
Of course, The Flash isn’t all bad. One of the few saving graces of the movie is the overwhelming amount of superhero variants and cameos scattering here and there, as Barry Allen explores different universes and timelines due to his time-traveling shenanigan. And now, with the film’s latest digital release, DC fans can watch these versions of Superman, Batman, and other superheroes in high-res images at home. Let’s take a look at all the Justice League heroes’ variants throughout the movie, but this time, in much better quality.
#1. 2013 Barry Allen
Source: Warner Bros
After successfully saving his mother, Barry tries to return to his timeline, only to be knocked out by the Dark Flash and ends up in 2013 instead. Here, he meets his 2013 doppelganger, and the two embark on a journey to save Earth from General Zod.
#2. Michael Keaton’s Batman
Source: Warner Bros
Having played the Caped Crusader in the 1989 and 1992 movies, Keaton returns as Bruce Wayne once again in the 2023 DCEU title, stepping out of retirement to help the two Flashes to defeat Zod. However, they are heavily overpowered, and this version of Bruce has to meet his demise many times over and over again.
#3. Sasha Calle’s Supergirl
Source: Warner Bros
As her cousin Kal-El was killed by Zod in the alternated timeline, Kara Zor-El is the chosen one to protect the Codex instead, and take on her Supergirl mantle to help the Barrys defeat Zod. The mismatch in terms of both quality and quantity doesn’t end well for the heroes’ side.
#4. Dark Flash
Source: Warner Bros
Making his entrance near the end of the movie, Dark Flash is revealed to be 2013 Barry who gets corrupted as he travels back in time again and again to change the outcome, but to no avail. He’s also the mysterious speedster that knocks current Barry out of his timeline. With 2013 Barry’s sacrifice at the end, the Dark Flash ceases to exist, and the current Barry is saved.
#5. Nicolas Cage’s Superman
Source: Warner Bros
Cage finally gets to wear the red cape officially on the big screen, as his own Superman movie was ultimately canceled back in the late 90s. Easily the biggest cameo role in the film, Cage’s Superman variant has a quite extensive sequence at the end, fighting a gigantic arachnid monster before his universe collapses.
#6. Christopher Reeve’s Superman
Source: Warner Bros
Reeve’s Superman franchise was a classic, and he’s arguably one of the most well-known Man of Steel actors along with Henry Cavill. However, the actor passed away in 2004, so the film crew has to recreate him fully in CGI for the cameo role.
#7. Helen Slater’s Supergirl
Source: Warner Bros
Appearing along with Reeve’s Big Blue Boy Scout, Helen Slater, who portrays Supergirl in the 1984 titular movie, is also 100% CGI-made. Seeing the two most iconic Kryptonian flying alongside each other is a nice tribute by DC, which may make lifelong DC fans shed a tear or two.
#8. George Reeves’ Superman
Source: Warner Bros
One of the first live-action of Superman known to mankind, George Reeves’ Superman stars in the titular TV series in the 1950s era. The character appears in a black-and-white sequence in The Flash, which makes sense since the series’ first two seasons were shown in the same manner.
#9. Jay Garrick’s Flash
Source: Warner Bros
Barry Allen isn’t the only Flash that appears in the movie, as another member of the Flash family is also presented from another dimension. However, while his appearance resembles the first Flash Jay Garrick, it is confirmed that this is just a generic Golden Age Flash who hasn’t appeared in any DC movie so far. A bunch of black-and-white Superman’s also seen in the background.
#10. Adam West’s Batman
Source: Warner Bros
The Dark Knight fans must be pleased with The Flash, as it features multiple Batman versions from previous entries, barring only Christian Bale. Adam West’s version of Batman in the 1966-1968 titular series, also appears. Unlike Bale or Affleck, West portrays a much more vibrant and humorous version of the Caped Crusader.
#11. George Clooney’s Batman
Source: Warner Bros
Clooney’s Bruce Wayne cameo comes as a welcomed surprise to many, despite his Batman’s portrayal in the 1997 Batman and Robin was a huge failure. Though not wearing his iconic Bat suit, Clooney’s appearance at the end is very important to the movie, as it means he has replaced Ben Affleck as Bruce in another altered universe that Barry Allen has (accidentally) created.
Which superheroes cameo surprise you the most in the movie? Do you think The Flash is a bad movie overall? Let us know in the comment.