Life moves pretty fast, but not as fast as The Flash, DC’s newest superhero.
In the wake of James Gunn’s DCU shakeup, complete with a new slate and a confusing connection, the disparate DCEU still has three remnants of the franchise formerly known as the Snyder-verse to hit movie theaters.
So even as we wonder what this means for resetting DC movie continuity, we’re bringing you the most important information about the biggest, most important movie in the Justice League series.
The Flash release date
The Flash will hit theaters at lightning speed on June 16, 2023, having moved up a week from its June 23 release date. We assume the change is to avoid competing too heavily with James Mangold’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny due out June 30th.
It’s been a long way to lose a string of directors, including Dope filmmaker Rick Fukuyama, but now comes our way through It and Mama director Andy Muschietti.
Read more: Every upcoming DC movies and TV show
The official runtime has been given as 2 hours and 30 minutes, a mammoth runtime, but given the plot, it’s about bending time and offering the return of some past franchise baddies and new threats to be expected.
The Flash cast
Despite high-profile personal issues, this is a film centered on not one, but two Ezra Millers. Their personal life issues and legal issues have pushed the movie back, which has created ripples since it’s been the cornerstone of the DCEU and what comes next.
Read more: Is Ezra Miller still The Flash?
Miller reprises their role from Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Suicide Squad and both versions of Justice League as Barry Allen, aka The Flash, a superhero who can take advantage of the power of speed and travel through time.
Also returning from the wider DCEU is Kiersey Clemons as love interest Iris West, previously seen in Zack Snyder’s Justice League, Ben Affleck is said to cameo as the protagonist Bruce Wayne/Batman in what may be his last time in the role.
Michael Shannon as General Zod and Antje Traue as Faora-Ul, Zod’s second-in-command, reprise their roles from Man of Steel. Given the timeline shift, the deaths of both characters appear to be reversed. Temuera Morrison also reprises his role as Thomas Curry, Aquaman’s father.
Ron Livingston replaced Billy Crudup in the role of Barry’s incarcerated father Henry, the film delves into the mystery of Barry’s mother Nora’s death. Maribel Verdú (Pan’s Labyrinth) plays Barry’s deceased mother and forms the emotional core of the film.
The two biggest casting cuts appear to be Sasha Calle as Supergirl, bringing the character to the big screen for the first time since Helen Slater’s much-maligned performance in the ’80s.
Read more: Why was Batgirl cancelled?
Michael Keaton is also rumored to be in the pointy ears again as Batman from an alternate universe. He reprises his role from Batman and Batman Returns in a role that would have been related to the recently canceled Batgirl. The involvement of both Calle and Keaton with The Flash remains unclear for now.
What is the plot of The Flash?
The official plot summary contains fairly little information, but offers the following premise: “Barry Allen travels back in time to prevent his mother’s murder, which has unintended consequences for his timeline.”
Read more: Batman designs Barry Allen’s new The Flash costume
James Gunn has said the movie will reset much of the DCU timeline.
Miller’s fate seems uncertain for now.
Is there a trailer for The Flash?
Teasers and still images have been released for The Flash, but a first proper full trailer has still not been released. This one will instead launch during the 2023 Super Bowl, when many major movies drop their much-anticipated previews.
The Flash will be in cinemas from June 16, 2023. See The Flash in the Justice League trailer below.