A second teaser for The Flash has been released, concentrating on Michael Keaton’s huge comeback as Batman ahead of the film’s June release – and despite the main actor’s controversies, early comments have been encouraging.
The new trailer for the Ezra Miller-led picture invites the audience deeper into the tale based on the comic book Flashpoint, in which Barry Allen, or The Flash (Miller), utilises his ability to sprint at the speed of light to travel back in time and save his parents from death.
His actions, however, fracture into numerous timelines – and copies of himself – leaving Barry to clean up a massive mess when he returns to the future.
Enter Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck as two Batmen (Batmans? ), as well as newcomer Sasha Calle as Supergirl and the return of Michael Keaton’s malevolent General Zod.
This superhero team-up appears to be propelling the picture and most exciting executives, with DC Studios co-head James Gunn earlier hailing it as “probably one of the greatest superhero movies ever made.”
In the new trailer’s introductory voiceover, Keaton as Brue Wayne informs Barry, “I lost my parents.” That agony shaped who I am.
‘I spent a lifetime trying to right the wrongs of the past, as if fighting crime would bring my parents back.’
It then switches to Bruce staring at Barry and saying, ‘You actually did it.’
As flashbacks show little Barry on the day his parents died, he admits, “I went back in time to save my parents.” But instead, I utterly shattered the cosmos.’
The entrance of Zod is then depicted, along with the fall of a tower as he declares, ‘This planet must perish.’
Both Supergirl and Keaton’s Batman are then shown vowing to assist Barry in defeating the villain, or, as Waye puts it, “You want to get nuts?” Let’s go berserk.’
Affleck’s solemnity Wayne also gets a cameo, as well as a spectacular arrival on his Batcycle – and an epic fight through and across time is promised.
Following the debut of the trailer, early critic reactions to The Flash at CinemaCon promised a lot from the picture.
Erik Davis of Rotten Tomatoes termed it “tremendous” and “without a doubt among the best superhero films ever made,” as well as “an all-timer.”
Meanwhile, Fandom’s Eric Goldman called it “legit great,” while ScreenRant’s Rob Keyes said, “It has some stuff in it you won’t believe and it showcases much more of Barry Allen’s powers.” It is, without a doubt, one of DC’s greatest, and it works well as a bridge narrative between the old and new DCEU properties. It’s also the most amusing DC film.’
Fans are still sceptical about the picture, owing to actor Miller’s recent legal troubles, which included them apparently pleading guilty to a trespassing charge in Vermont.’
I know people want to watch this movie, I know people have great expectations for it, and I know there are people who are already gushing about it…. but I feel like everyone has forgotten who the star of this picture is and what they’ve been accused of,’ wrote one fan.
‘Not with that actor,’ added another in response to the trailer.
Following Miller’s apology for drawing unwanted attention to the film and confirmation that they had sought therapy for ‘complicated mental health concerns,’ Peter Safran and James Gunn backed the 30-year-old and the ‘enormous progress’ they had made.
Miller was charged with trespassing during an alleged burglary in Vermont and agreed to a plea agreement in the hopes that other charges in the same case would be dismissed.
They also made news after being jailed twice in Hawaii on second-degree assault and disorderly conduct charges in a karaoke club.
They were also accused in June of housing a woman and her three small children on their property in a ‘unsafe environment’ for the young family.
The Flash comes to cinemas on Friday June 16.