The Flash was released in Indian cinemas on Thursday, 15th June to much hype and anticipation from fans and moviegoers alike. The Flash is the 13th installment in the DC Extended Universe which has rather been a mixed bag both critically and commercially with many critically panned films and box office bombs to its name. However, The Flash looks at being a relatively successful venture in both aspects. Part of the anticipation that was built up for the project is due to the multiverse concept this movie explores which promises memorable cameos from other universes of the same intellectual properties where other actors portrayed the roles of the same characters. The promotional material already showed a couple of cameos in the form of Ben Affleck and Michael Keaton's renditions of Batman but there is more in store for the final product. What are the cameos that surprised the fans here? Let's find out, P.S. Spoiler alert, scroll down only if you've seen the movie or don't mind spoilers.
1. Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman
The femme fatale has a rather brief role in the plot as she assists both the titular character and Ben Affleck's Batman in the beginning portion of the film when they are stuck trying to foil a robbery gone wrong. The cameo is basically there to show that the Justice League is still working together after the events of the 2017 film. Several mentions of the other members of the team are also there such as Henry Cavill's Superman and Cyborg even if they aren't shown in person.
Not gonna lie. Everytime Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman shows up in any of these DC movies, I get so hyped.
— Simu kissed my book plate!🪬 (@Sye_Lokata) June 15, 2023
I wish she had one more chance to make another WW movie, worthy of praise 🥹 #TheFlash pic.twitter.com/esxU3SQUe4
2. Nicolas Cage as Superman
This cameo is a rather self-referential nod at the actor not getting to play the role in Tim Burton's Superman Lives as the project was scrapped due to various production issues. This cameo happens when at the end of the film, our titular character messed up the alternate timelines and they start collapsing with each other. This is the second time the actor gets to play the character after voicing the superhero in the animated film Teen Titans Go! To The Movies back in 2018.
You know, I once imagined that keaton's universe would be reeves' superman or nicolas cage's superman, even linda carter's wonder woman, but now that he showed us the flash, it's a better idea, in keaton's universe we don't have superman, but his cousin, a better idea. pic.twitter.com/hWmxukWWl4
— cain uzcanga (@CainUzcanga) June 15, 2023
3. Christopher Reeves and Helen Slater as Superman and Supergirl respectively
Christopher Reeves is the most beloved iteration of the Kryptonian hero who played the iconic character in 4 Superman films- Superman, Superman II: The Donner Cut, Superman III, and Superman IV: The Quest For Peace which were released between 1978 and 1987. The success of the Christopher Reeves films gave rise to the Supergirl spin-off which starred Helen Slater as the eponymous character. The characters appear in the same scene as Nicholas Cage's Superman when the alternate timelines clash with one another.
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Even though Christopher Reeve's monstrosity is getting all the attention, I'm also just perplexed by Helen Slater's CGI "cameo" in #TheFlash.
— Richard (@RichardOcelot) June 15, 2023
Why did they recreate her fully with CGI? SHE'S STILL ALIVE! Why not just de-age her? pic.twitter.com/d5v2Oz1GVE
4. George Clooney as Batman
The celebrated actor appears in the final scene of the movie after the entire timeline is reset due to our titular character making a minor change to free his father from false criminal accusations. Due to this alternation, Ben Affleck's Batman is replaced by a completely different actor George Clooney who played the character in the widely panned Batman and Robin back in 1997. These cameos place all these universes in the same canon. This cameo was the biggest surprise due to the reputation of the film and raises questions about what the canon actually is.
Michael Keaton did a phenomenal job in The Flash movie… But I’m also kinda intrigued to see what George Clooney’s batsuits would look like in this universe…
— Simu kissed my book plate!🪬 (@Sye_Lokata) June 16, 2023
I remember the line of toys from his movies, and he had some awesome Batsuits! #TheFlash pic.twitter.com/wYJvhG8FbB
5. Jason Momoa as Aquaman
The final major cameo surprising fans was Aquaman in the post-credit scene of the film. In this scene, he goes out with our titular character for drinks and the scene is more of a comic relief than signifying a major canon change in the DC Extended Universe.
Overall, The Flash gives the hardcore fans of the DC franchise their money's worth for these cameos alone even if the movie lacks in many other aspects and doesn't match up to the multiverse films of its competing franchise. Even with a substandard product, this is a definite nostalgic ride for longtime fans and casual moviegoers alike.