Fans are well aware that Michael Keaton will be reprising his role as the Caped Crusader in the upcoming 2023 film The Flash. But as excited as fans are, a Batman in his late-60s may be limited in the physical damage he can deliver against villains like Bane or Solomon Grundy. Due to this, a big part of Keaton's arc in the film could be Bruce coming to terms with hanging up his cape and cowl. Exploring an aged iteration of Batman could give fans both more Keaton and open the door for the introduction of Terry McGinnis, his futuristic Batman successor, into the DC Extended Universe.
The animated Batman Beyond series ran on The WB from 1999 to 2001 for a total of three seasons. It follows the exploits of Terry McGinnis, a teenager from the year 2039 with a rough past and renewed desire to turn his life around. In the pilot, Terry stumbles upon Bruce Wayne's mansion while being chased by a group of Joker-inspired thugs. Following a series of events that prove Terry's abilities, Bruce decides to pass on his high-tech super suit to a new young hero.
Fans have been clamoring for a live-action adaptation of Terry McGinnis since the show first aired at the turn of the century. In 2001, Warner Bros did reveal plans for a Batman Beyond film, but it was eventually scrapped to make way for the Nolan trilogy. Thankfully, two decades later, the stars have aligned to create the perfect opportunity to introduce Terry into the DCEU in a way that doesn't feel forced. With the elder superhero-statesman Michael Keaton returning, there is no reason this storyline shouldn't be explored.
A strength of the DCEU is its varied visual styles from film to film. A neo-noir Batman Beyond film could carry on that tradition swimmingly with its neon-lit skyscrapers and futuristically styled citizens. With the right pairing of director and production designer, a stunning reimagining of Tim Burton's Gotham nearly half a century in the future is well within grasp.
Currently, Michael Keaton has been confirmed to appear in 2023's The Flash and the upcoming HBO Max Batgirl film. It is rumored that Keaton will be playing a mentor role in the film and helping Barbara Gordon reach her fullest potential. This shows that Keaton is willing to stick around to reprise his role in a supportive fashion, so there's no reason he couldn't do it for another hero. It is unclear which universe the Batgirl film will take place in, as both J.K. Simmon's Gordon and Keaton's Batman are set to appear. However, it is perfectly feasible for both mentees to co-exist in separate timelines.
Michael Keaton's age and willingness to participate are far more of an advantage for the DCEU than a disadvantage. With The Flash promising to explore the multiverse, the doors have been opened for a myriad of stories. While the chances of a Terry McGinnis reveal in the film are slim, it wouldn't be uncharacteristic of the DCEU to tease Keaton searching for another successor.
To see if Keaton makes room for a new Batman, The Flash speeds into theaters on June 23, 2023.