The Flash: All The Batman '89 References WB Packed Into The Film's 2nd Trailer
Contains Spoilers for "The Flash"
It looks like fans of the 1989 version of "Batman" are about to be gifted with a cornucopia of nostalgia when "The Flash" hits theaters this summer. Not only did the film's second official trailer give audiences another glimpse of Michael Keaton's version of the Caped Crusader in action, but they also got to see a little bit more of his world and how it's changed — and how it hasn't — since audiences last spent a large amount of time with him in "Batman Returns."
Viewers don't learn a whole lot about what he's been up to, but they do get enough of a tantalizing taste to whet their appetites for the future. And it looks like this version of Batman has retired for a period of time but still seems fully willing and able to jump back into the thick of things. There was indeed a high number of visual and aural callbacks to Batman at his best during the trailer, from playful dialogue references to a montage of old suits that Batsy has worn throughout his multiple onscreen adventures. There's even a hint that an old love interest of his might still be about. Here's a look into all of the callbacks to the 1989 version of "Batman" included in the second trailer for "The Flash."
Wayne Manor's still there, and so are Batman's old suits (and is that one of Batsy's old love interests?)
Location is, as always, incredibly important in Gotham City — and it looks like Batman's home, stately Wayne Manor, still exists, even though it seems to be even more foreboding than when we last saw it. Enshrouding the gothic mansion in blue fog has done wonders for the place's sense of eerie gloominess — as if the exterior of the place remains in deep mourning for Martha and Thomas Wayne just as their son continues to be. And it appears that what's inside hasn't changed much either; the Bat Cave is still fully operational and as dank, dark, and gloomy as ever — but still home to the sleek Batwing and presumably the Batmobile.
As ever, Bruce Wayne's crimefighting fortress contains a few costume options. During the trailer, we get a shot of multiple Batsuits sitting in wait for their owner, including outfits that have not yet been worn by Michael Keaton's version of the character. But on display are his suits from the original "Batman" as well as "Batman Returns." Even more interesting — staring at those costumes is what looks to be a blond woman with curly hair. Could Vicki Vale (Kim Basinger) or Selina Kyle (Michelle Pfeiffer) still be in his life?
Batman's Bat Tech remains familiar
As noted above, it's strongly hinted in the trailer for "The Flash" that Batman has given up on the notion of fighting crime in Gotham. The fact that there's a drop cloth over the Batcomputer's console hints that he's busied himself with other affairs. It seems the Caped Crusader has given up — as the dialogue explains during the trailer's first minute — because he hasn't been able to assuage the hurt hiding inside of him as he can't bring his parents back to life no matter how much good he's done in the world.
But it appears that Batman hasn't fully lost his grip on what The Joker (Jack Nicholson) once called "those wonderful toys." Not only are the Batwing and the Batcomputer visible within the trailer, but you can also catch a glimpse of him parachuting out of the aircraft and careening toward Earth. Perhaps fans will get to glimpse a whole new wave of Batgadgets as "The Flash" progresses — hopefully some Batjets for his boots.
These visual and dialogue callbacks were spot-on
Arguably the most notable quote from the trailer's flashback dialogue is Batman saying, "Do you wanna get nuts? Let's get nuts." Naturally, that exchange comes from 1989's "Batman," and is immediately followed by an iconic line from The Joker: "Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?" Apparently, the moment is followed by Michael Keaton's version of Bruce Wayne going full throttle at the Batcomputer, with sparks flying.
And there's one last visual callback to be spotted — the Batwing flying high into the sky and shadowing the moon with its batty shape, very much a reflection of Keaton's Wayne standing in the spotlight, his shadow looming high over Gotham, a warning to all evildoers that this city's now under the protection of the Bat at the end of "Batman."
Fans will have to see "The Flash" in theatres on June 16 to find out if any more references are dished up — and what sort of future Michael Keaton's Bruce Wayne builds for himself in this new version of the DC Film world.