Summary
- The Flash features an exciting cast that includes multiple versions of Barry Allen, played by Ezra Miller, as well as iconic characters like Batman, played by Michael Keaton, and Zod, played by Michael Shannon.
- The film takes inspiration from the Flashpoint event in the comics and explores the consequences of Barry Allen's attempt to rewrite history, resulting in a collision of two different worlds.
- Besides the main cast, The Flash also includes numerous ing characters and cameos, including Supergirl played by Sasha Calle, General Zod played by Michael Shannon, and appearances by previous actors who portrayed Batman, Superman, and other DC heroes in earlier adaptations.
DCEU before its imminent reboot/reset, and the cast reflects the exciting multiverse misadventure The Fastest Man Alive races through as he seeks to restore his broken timeline. Loosely based on the Flashpoint event from the original comics, the DC movie from director Andy Muschietti provides intense action and absolute mayhem as two worlds collide when Barry Allen tries to rewrite history for the sake of his loved ones. However, he thankfully he isn't alone in his mission to set things right after his actions break the universe.
Though aspects of the movie's cast proved controversial - specifically the plan to use posthumous cameos from some iconic actors in the DCEU timeline as well. As such, The Flash cast is perhaps one of the most interesting parts of the overall film, even if this isn't always for the right reasons.
Ezra Miller As The Flash/Barry Allen
Ezra Miller plays Barry Allen, aka The Flash. Doused by chemicals and struck by lightning, Barry Allen became the Fastest Man Alive and eventually a member of the Justice League, and spends the movie attempting to make up for his interference in the DC timeline. This marks Miller's first time reprising the role of The Flash as the lead, having been introduced with a cameo in Batman v Superman and then in a ing role in Justice League, both of which were directed by Zack Snyder. Beyond The Flash, Miller is best known for their roles in The Fantastic Beasts franchise, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and We Need to Talk About Kevin.
Ezra Miller As Another Flash/Barry Allen
Due to the collision of worlds thanks to The Flash, Ezra Miller also plays another version of Barry Allen from a separate timeline. With two versions of the Flash in the mix, it seems the idea is that two speedsters will be better than one. However, due to the pair's different upbringings, they aren't as unified in fixing the timeline as viewers might initially expect.
Michael Keaton As Batman/Bruce Wayne (Burtonverse)
When the Flashes end up seeking Batman's help, they end up finding a Dark Knight the original Barry isn't familiar with. Instead of Ben Affleck's Batman from Justice League, this fractured reality instead features the Batman played by Michael Keaton from the Tim Burton-directed films. Donning his classic cape and cowl, this older Batman helps the Flash duo fix the world despite his retirement from being Gotham's vigilante. Beyond Batman, Keaton is best known for his roles in Beetlejuice, Birdman, Spider-Man: Homecoming, The Founder, and most recently in the TV series Dopesick.
Ben Affleck as Batman/Bruce Wayne (Synderverse)
Despite the return of Micheal Keaton as Batman, Ben Affleck's Batman still has a role to play in The Flash. Although he's had quite a tumultuous career playing the Dark Knight, Affleck agreed to return both as Bruce Wayne and Batman for this multiversal adventure. The film marks one of the last times he'll be playing the Caped Crusader before the new DCU reboot which will debut a brand-new Batman in The Brave and the Bold. Affleck is also known for directing and starring in films such as Argo, Good Will Hunting, The Town, and Gone Girl. His most recent film Air is currently in theaters.
Sasha Calle as Supergirl/Kara
With no Superman to help protect the world from a force of invading Kryptonians, Sasha Calle debuts as Kara, aka Supergirl. Kal-El's powerful cousin, Supergirl was captured and imprisoned by the Russians, whereafter Keaton's Batman and the Flashes break her out in the hope of recruiting her to help them fight the other Kryptonians. Calle is best known for her role as Lola Rosales on the series The Young and the Restless.
Michael Shannon as General Zod
Michael Shannon returns to the DCEU as General Zod, the Kryptonian villain first seen in Zack Snyder's Man of Steel. Zod once again leads an invading force of Kryptonians, only this time in a new reality with no Superman to stop him as he once again seeks to terraform the Earth into a New Krypton. Best known for his roles in 99 Homes, The Midnight Special, and Boardwalk Empire, some of Shannon's more recent roles have been in the popular movies Bullet Train and Knives Out.
The Flash ing Cast, Character & Cameo Guide
Antje Traue as Faora - Faora was General Zod's second-in-command as seen in 2013's Man of Steel, and briefly appears in The Flash in the same role. Traue is best known for her roles in Pandorum, Woman in Gold, and Criminal.
Kiersey Clemons as Iris West - First appearing in Zack Snyder's Justice League, Iris West is the primary love interest of Barry Allen, and as such, appears The Flash as well, making their romance storyline more concrete. Clemons is best known for her roles in Hearts Beat Loud, Sweetheart, Dope, and 2019's Lady and the Tramp.
Maribel Verdú as Nora Allen - Nora Allen was Barry Allen's mother who was murdered when he was a child, prompting Barry to try to go back in time/discover new realities using his speed as The Flash to find ones where she still lives - an act that leads to the fracturing of the timeline and collision of worlds. Verdú is best known for her roles in the TV series Canguros and Guillermo del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth.
Ron Livingston as Henry Allen - Henry Allen was Barry's father who was wrongly convicted of Nora's murder, leading to his incarceration and Barry's desire to become a forensic scientist to try and prove his father's innocence. Livingston is best known for his roles in Office Space and The Conjuring. Although Henry Allen was originally played by Billy Crudup in Justice League, the role was recast for The Flash due to scheduling conflicts.
Gal Gadot as Diana Prince/Wonder Woman - Early in The Flash, Gal Gadot makes a cameo as Wonder Woman. As The Flash and Batman are stopping a robbery, Wonder Woman turns up to save the day, stopping Batman from falling into a river on the outskirts of Gotham. The cameo will likely be Wonder Woman's last DCEU appearance given the expected reboot of the character with James Gunn's planned Paradise Lost series.
Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry/Aquaman - The Flash's end-credit sequence sees Barry attempting to explain his journey to Aquaman. Unlike the other changes in his universe, Aquaman is still portrayed by Jason Momoa. This likely means Momoa will continue as the king of Atlantis, after drunkenly falling asleep in a puddle after Barry fails to convince him of his Flashpoint journey.
Henry Cavill as Clark Kent/Superman - Early in the film, Cavill appears briefly as Superman, stopping a volcano eruption from hurting people. Later, Cavill's likeness is used in the Speed Force scenes, showing Superman's appearances in Justice League. This will likely be Cavill's last appearance as Superman in the DCEU ahead of the Superman: Legacy reboot.
Temuera Morrison as Tom Curry - After Barry enters an alternate dimension in The Flash, he attempts to track down the other of the Justice League. During this scene, he calls Tom Curry, prompting a cameo appearance from Temuera Morrison as Aquaman's father. However, in the new universe, Arthur was never born as Tom Curry did not meet Queen Atlanna.
Jeremy Irons as Alfred Pennyworth - The opening sequence that features Ben Affleck's Batman and Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman also features another DCEU cameo: Jeremy Irons as Alfred. Irons portrayed Alfred in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Justice League, and Zack Snyder's Justice League. Reprising his role in The Flash, Irons' Alfred helps Barry organize a crime scene while Batman chases down stolen items.
Saoirse-Monica Jackson as Patty Spivot - The first act of The Flash outlines more of Barry Allen's personal life, including his coworkers at the Central City Police Department. One of these coworkers is Patty Spivot, played by Saoirse-Monica Jackson. Spivot previously appeared in The Flash CW series, portrayed by Shantel VanSanten, with Jackson now bringing the common DC Comics character to life in the DCEU.
Rudy Mancuso as Albert Desmond - Another of Barry's coworkers in The Flash is Albert Desmond, played by Rudy Mancuso. In the comics, Albert Desmond has an alter-ego as the supervillain Doctor Alchemy. In The Flash though, Desmond is one of Barry's coworkers at the CD alongside Patty Spivot.
Sanjeev Bhaskar as David Singh - Also part of Barry's work-life in The Flash is David Singh, the Crime Labs Director in the CD. Singh appears in the film's first act, criticizing Barry for his tardiness despite his potential. Singh is played by Sanjeev Bhaskar, known for roles in the BBC Two show Goodness Gracious Me and the sitcom The Kumars at No. 42.
George Clooney as Bruce Wayne/Batman - At the end of The Flash, Barry is returned to his universe after fixing his earlier mistakes. However, it is revealed that Barry made one small alteration to the timeline to save Henry Allen from being imprisoned which caused some universal changes. One of these is that Batman is no longer Ben Affleck, instead prompting a cameo from George Clooney as Bruce Wayne, reprising his role from Batman & Robin.
Lewis Wilson as Batman - One of the multiversal cameos found in The Flash's final act is Lewis Wilson's Batman. Wilson is known as the first actor to ever play Batman in live-action. Wilson appeared in the 1943 film serial Batman and is paid homage to in The Flash.
Adam West as Batman - Also visible in the multiverse in The Flash's climactic sequence is Adam West's Batman. West was another of the earlier actors to play Batman in the 1960s series and film Batman. Like Wilson as Batman, West can be seen chasing criminals in the multiversal spheres of The Flash.
Christopher Reeve as Superman - Another of the film's many multiversal cameos is Christopher Reeve as Superman. A CGI likeness of the character is used in the film's third act, emulating the 1978 Superman franchise in which Reeve portrayed Clark Kent. Alongside him is another cameo from this franchise.
Helen Slater as Supergirl - In 1984, a spin-off to Reeve's Superman franchise was released: Supergirl. The film featured Helen Slater as the titular character and the cousin of Clark Kent. In The Flash, Slater flies next to Reeve's Superman as they view the cracks in the multiverse caused by Barry Allen.
Nicolas Cage as Superman - Another Superman cameo comes in the form of Nicolas Cage. Cage was initially supposed to play Superman in Tim Burton's Superman Lives before the film was canceled in the late 90s/early 2000s. Despite the cancelation, Cage got the chance to play Superman as a multiversal variant in The Flash, fighting a giant spider before observing the multiversal phenomenon.
George Reeves as Superman - The final Superman-related cameo comes in the form of George Reeves. Reeves was one of the first actors to play Superman in live-action, doing so in the 1950s TV series Adventures of Superman. Reeves can be seen through archive footage in one of the multiversal spheres in The Flash.
