As production continues on 2023's The Flash, director Andy Muschietti has posted an intriguing new teaser image on Instagram.
The teaser in question shows a familiar Batman costume defaced with the Flash's colors and logo:
The Batsuit looks to be the same design Michael Keaton wore in 1992's Batman Returns, which featured a slightly different Bat emblem and torso armor shape compared to the original costume from 1989's Batman Returns. We already know Keaton and Ben Affleck are both reprising their respective Batman roles, though Keaton has admitted to having a hard time grasping the concept of the DC multiverse.
Interestingly, this image brings to mind the defaced Robin costume glimpsed in Batman v Superman, which hinted at a dark confrontation between the Boy Wonder and the Joker at some point in the DCEU's past. Director Zack Snyder later revealed this Robin was meant to be Dick Grayson, not Jason Todd. Should we take this as a clue that Keaton's version of Bruce Wayne may have a bone to pick with Ezra Miller's Barry Allen? Or is this image simply teasing the idea that Barry will help coax an aging Bruce out of retirement? Or maybe Barry loses his own costume and has to repurpose one of Batman's old suits?
At this point, we can only speculate as to the true meaning behind this teaser. We're hoping to learn more about the plot of The Flash and Keaton's exact role at DC FanDome in October.
DC fans can also look forward to a new trailer for The Batman as well as updates on movies like Black Adam and Aquaman 2, shows like Superman & Lois, The Flash and Sweet Tooth and games like Batman: Gotham Knights and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League.
Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.