‘The Flash’ Director Explains Why Michael Keaton’s Bruce Wayne Quit Being Batman

‘The Flash’ movie starring Ezra Miller was initially announced in 2014, and after years of development hell and last-minute reshoots due to the change of leadership at DC Studios and the planned soft reboot of the franchise, the movie was finally released last month.

Despite all the hype and James Gunn’s insistence that it’s one of the best DC movies, it suffered a massive commercial failure, grossing only $267 million worldwide against the production budget of $220 million. ‘The Flash’ is one of the biggest box-office bombs of all time, with an estimated loss of $200 million of all time. It’s even worse when you think this movie brought back Michael Keaton, who many fans still consider the best cinematic Batman, to the role after over three decades.

In the movie, Keaton played the older Bruce Wayne, who decided to retire from his crime-fighting career. When Barry Allen and his alternate self arrived at his mansion to seek help, Wayne honestly gave us the vibe of Luke Skywalker from ‘The Last Jedi.’ After refusing to help at first, Wayne decided to put on a cape again. However, what wasn’t explained is why Keaton’s Bruce Wayne decided to retire from being Batman in the first place. Director Andy Muschietti now offered an answer.

Andy Muschietti explains a reason Keaton’s Bruce Wayne retired!

In the movie’s deleted scene, Batman and two Barrys travel with the Batwing to arrive at the facility where Supergirl (although they thought it was Superman) is being held. Two Barrys whisper about a rumor that Keaton’s Batman retired because he killed a criminal in front of their own kid.

Andy Muschietti commented that he quit being Batman after that because it was the opposite situation when Batman’s parents were killed before him.

“It’s an exact mirroring situation of what happened to him when his parents were killed in front of him.”

Andy Muschietti (via @FlashFilmNews)

Officially, ‘The Flash’ is the third-to-last movie set in the DC Extended Universe. In less than a month, we’ll watch ‘Blue Beetle,‘ which seems like a really fun and heartfelt movie, although no one expects it to break even, let alone be profitable after this series of commercial flops for DC Studios. In December, the last DCEU movie, ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ will premiere, closing this ten-year franchise that couldn’t have found the right course ever since the first major flop happened with 2017’s ‘Justice League.’

‘The Flash’ was recently released for digital purchase, which made many viewers who skipped it in a theater watching it at home. Just like during its theatrical run, the movie gathered mainly mixed reviews. While some fans loved it, others haven’t so much. And one thing we can all agree on is that the movie’s CGI was definitely one of its lowest points.

Andy Muschietti has already signed to direct the upcoming DCU movie ‘The Brave and the Bold,’ which will introduce a new cinematic Batman to the franchise. Ben Affleck’s Batman said goodbye to the role with ‘The Flash,’ while Robert Pattinson will return in ‘The Batman — Part II,’ which will be separate from the cinematic universe.

‘The Flash’ stars Ezra Miller, Sasha Calle, Michael Keaton, Michael Shannon, Ron Livingston, Maribel Verdú, Kiersey Clemons, and Antje Traue. Directed by Andy Muschietti, the movie is now available on Digital. It’s still unknown when it’s going to arrive at Max and HBOMax (depending on the region).

Did you like ‘The Flash’? Are you satisfied with the way the movie handled Michael Keaton’s Batman? Let us know in the comments.