Brandon Routh says there’s a possibility that his version of Superman could appear in 2022’s The Flash. Routh played Superman in 2006’s Superman Returns, directed by Bryan Singer. The film was an attempt to revive the dormant Superman franchise, one that ultimately failed. While the film saw some critical success, it ended up falling short of box office expectations. The Superman franchise was revived yet again with 2013’s Man of Steel, with Henry Cavill taking over the role and kicking off the DCEU we have today.
Routh‘s return to the DCEU isn’t unprecedented. He already appeared in the Arrowverse‘s Crisis on Infinite Earths. Additionally, The Flash is already set to have several appearances from past and present members of the DCEU. Ben Affleck‘s Batman will be returning after it was reported that he was hanging up the cape. Even more surprising, though, was the announcement of Michael Keaton‘s return as Batman. Keaton played the role in two Tim Burton-directed films, one in 1989 and the other in 1992.
While speaking to Geek House Show, Routh talked about his role as Superman and the potential for him to return to the DCEU. Routh cites his return to the Arrowverse as one indicator of the possibilities. He also mentions that they’re bringing back even more characters from past DCEU projects, opening up the door for even more cameos. Check out his quote below:
Can we? I mean yeah I think that’s always a possibility,” Routh said. “Of course, they’re bringing in Michael Keaton, which I’m excited about, and some other people from the past DC projects. I think it’s very exciting – it worked really well in “Crisis On Infinite Earths,” and I was extremely proud and honored to be a part of it and to reprise my Superman. So it’s absolutely a possibility – you can do anything! Everybody lives and dies all the time in those things.
Affleck‘s return as Batman isn’t all that surprising. Ezra Miller‘s current iteration of The Flash was introduced as part of Affleck‘s Batman’s Justice League. However, Keaton‘s return is the one to look out for and a hint at the direction the DCEU could be taking. If they explore the multiverse like in Flashpoint (a potential source of inspiration for the film), it would be entirely possible to bring back Routh‘s Superman. It would also open the door for many other heroes from the DCEU to appear, including Robert Pattinson‘s Batman or any number of characters from that film.
Most importantly, though, Routh‘s appearance in Crisis on Infinite Earths was praised for its deft handling of Superman’s legacy. Bringing him back again on an even bigger scale could not only solidify his legacy as Superman but bolster a still struggling effort to bring the DCEU up to the MCU‘s level. The Flash is beginning to look like the film that will lay the groundwork for the DCEU‘s future. Even though it isn’t set to be released until 2022 (with filming beginning in March 2021), Warner Bros. seems to be priming the film to have a considerable impact on the rest of the franchise.