The Flash Earns $139 Million In The Global Box Office, Hits #1 in The PH

 

Worlds Collided and the Scarlet Speedster ran through the Box Office totals, as Warner Bros' newest superhero flick "The Flash" earns its winnings in the global box office race - taking a total of $139 Million globally while also becoming #1 in the Philippines during its opening week.

The film has taken in an 85% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and sees the DC Extended Universe open up to the wider reaches of the DC Multiverse as Ezra Miller returns as Barry Allen/ The Flash, with both Ben Affleck and Michael Keaton reprising their respective versions of Bruce Wayne/ Batman and Sasha Calle playing Kara Zor-El/ Supergirl.

Here's the press release straight from Warner Bros. Philippines, and you can also read my review on the film here.

MANILA, June 19, 2023 -- Eager to see the first standalone movie about the DCEU’s fastest man alive, moviegoers from all over the world flocked to theaters to watch “The Flash” on its opening weekend, leading to a huge US$ 139-million global box office take. 

In the Philippines, the film debuted at No.1 with a smash P45-million gross on its five-day opening weekend June 14 - 18, which marks Warner Bros.’ biggest opening for 2023, after another superhero blockbuster, “Shazam: Fury of the Gods” last March. 

“The Flash,” starring Ezra Miller as the titular superhero, Sasha Calle as Supergirl, and Michael Keaton as Batman, has scored well with audiences, and it currently holds an 85% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The Flash - Final Trailer

The Flash is now showing in theaters and IMAX. Catch it and see

The Flash DC Multiverse 7" Figures and Vehicles Revealed By Amazon

 

McFarlane Toys' upcoming DC Multivese 7" figures and vehicles based off "The Flash" movie have been revealed online via Amazon Canada (and Toynewsi), giving collectors and fans a glimpse at the upcoming superhero film that's set to reboot the DC Films universe and gather all kinds of variants and versions of the Scarlet Speedster and Dark Knight - with the latter versions played once again by Ben Affleck and Michael Keaton!

As seen in these promotional images, we have a good look at Batman (Keaton), Batman (Affleck), the two versions of Ezra Miller's Flash (with one making his suit out of a spare Batcostume of Keaton's Batman), Supergirl, and even Dark Flash. Also there'll be vehicles from the film that are used by each Batmen - namely the iconic 1989 Batmobile and Batfleck's Batcycle!

The Flash will be released in theaters this June!

Super Bowl 2023: Barry Allen Meets the 1989 Batman in The Flash Trailer

 

As promised during the day of the Big Game in the United States, Warner Bros. Discovery has released the long awaited trailer for "The Flash" - which sees Barry Allen playing with the DCEU timeline and changing things to as they weren't. Soon he meets new heroes he hasn't interacted with before - including Supergirl and an older and more experienced Michael Keaton Batman!

The Flash – Official Trailer

The Flash, directed by Andy Muschietti, speeds its way into theaters this coming June!

Happy 50th Birthday, Ben Affleck!

 

Today marks a big occasion for one of Hollywood’s talented actors/ directors, as Ben Affleck turns 50 years old and is celebrating a lot more than just his birthday! Recently getting married for the second time to former fiancee Jennifer Lopez, the “Good Will Hunting” writer and “Argo” director is also going to reprise his role as Bruce Wayne/ Batman once more in not one but two DC Films next year - namely “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” and “The Flash”! Aquaman actor Jason Momoa spilled the beans a couple of weeks back, so fans of Batfleck can look forward to seeing more of the character again - even if it’s just a cameo or short appearance.

Happy Birthday, Ben Affleck!

Happy Birthday Ben Affleck! Zack Snyder shares photo of Batfleck trying out the Batsuit!

 

Taking to his social media to celebrate the birthday of actor and director Ben Affleck, director Zack Snyder has shared a never before seen behind the scenes photo of the star trying out his Batsuit for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice!

Happy 49th Birthday Ben Affleck!

Zack Snyder's Justice League: Batman Teaser released

 

Alongside a batch of new posters and the titles of six chapters confirmed for the four hour plus film coming this month, Zack Snyder has released a new teaser/ spot for his "Snyder Cut" of Justice League - which puts the spotlight on Batman and has Ben Affleck's Dark Knight utter these very words towards the end with a shot of all six members of the team together.

Batman Teaser - Snyder Cut - Zack Snyder's Justice League

“I spent a lot of time trying to divide us. I need to bring us together... And make this right.”🦇

No true words have been spoken clearer than what the Caped Crusader's mission is in the film. 

Zack Snyder's Justice League will premiere in selected theaters and HBO Max on March 18.

Ben Affleck and Michael Keaton return as their respective Batmans for “Flashpoint”

Batfans who have been looking for a sign or miracle that two former Batman actors would officially reprise their roles have gotten their prayers answered, as Variety reports that Ben Affleck AND Michael Keaton are returning as their respective versions of Batman for director Andy Muschietti’s “Flashpoint”! An adaptation of the 2011 alternate timeline Flash centered storyline that set up the DC Universe reboot initiative in “The New 52”, the film will see The Flash - once again played by Ezra Miller - making a time travel decision using the Speed Force which will seemingly impact the DC Films universe... And in some way traveling the DC Multiverse (as seen in the Arrowverse) where he’ll be encountering these two Batmen.

Affleck, who last played Batman/ Bruce Wayne in “Justice League”, will be returning the role for the first time since stepping away from starring and directing “The Batman” - which went on to Robert Pattinson and Matt Reeves respectively. Michael Keaton has been heavily rumored to reprise his role as Bruce Wayne/ Batman from “Batman” and “Batman Returns”, & now that’s officially confirmed too.

In the story by Variety, Muschietti said about Ben Affleck’s Batman and his relationship with Ezra Miller’s Flash:

“His Batman has a dichotomy that is very strong, which is his masculinity—because of the way he looks, and the imposing figure that he has, and his jawline —but he’s also very vulnerable,” Muschietti said in an interview. “He knows how to deliver from the inside out, that vulnerability. He just needs a story that allows him to bring that contrast, that balance.” Affleck got the script at the end of last week and agreed this week to join the project. 

“He’s a very substantial part of the emotional impact of the movie. The interaction and relationship between Barry and Affleck’s Wayne will bring an emotional level that we haven’t seen before,” the director added. "It’s Barry’s movie, it’s Barry’s story, but their characters are more related than we think. They both lost their mothers to murder, and that’s one of the emotional vessels of the movie. That’s where the Affleck Batman kicks in.” “I’m glad to be collaborating with someone who has been on both sides of the camera, too,” Muschietti said. “He understands.”

With DC FanDome happening this weekend, we can expect more DC Films news and other exciting announcements to happen! Flashpoint is expected to be released on June 2022.

Ben Affleck officially retires as Batman in Jimmy Kimmel Live

Looks like it’s FINALLY official.

Appearing in Jimmy Kimmel Live! and answering the question everyone has been asking since he retweeted support for Matt Reeves’ “The Batman”, Ben Affleck officially retired his cape and cowl for Batman for the forseable future as far as everyone knows. He won’t be appearing in the prequel film since Reeves is going to cast a younger actor in the part of Bruce Wayne/ Batman, & while he was initially set to direct and star before passing it to the Planet of the Apes’ films director, Affleck admitted that he couldn’t “crack the code” and just decided to move on from the role - which he started in 2016’s “Batman v Superman” and last played in 2017’s “Justice League”.


As a farewell to “Batfleck”, Jimmy Kimmel gave quite the ceromony segment in his latest episode with Ben present.

The Batman and James Gunn's The Suicide Squad sequel dated for 2021; Ben Affleck no longer Batman

It's BIG NEWS for the world of DC Films in both good and bad ways, as The Hollywood Reporter reports that both Matt Reeves' "The Batman" and the James Gunn directed "The Suicide Squad" are dated for 2021 by Warner Bros!

The latter film in particular will be directed by the former Guardians of the Galaxy director - who was controversially fired last year from directing "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" and has now moved over to the "Distinguished Competition" - namely DC Films and is writing the screenplay AND directing what is being called "The Suicide Squad" - a relaunch instead of a direct sequel to the 2016 villain's film. Meanwhile, Margot Robbie will be immediately reprising her famous role as Harley Quinn in 2020 in the spin-off "Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)".

Following months of speculation and rumors, it looks like Ben Affleck is out as Batman officially - as Matt Reeves "The Batman" is pushing forward on its summer 2021 release date and fixing on a new Caped Crusader to take on the helm. Affleck tweeted on his official Twitter page: "Excited for #TheBatman in Summer 2021 and to see @MattReevesLA vision come to life.".

The Batman hits on June 25, 2021, while The Suicide Squad arrives on August 6, 2021.

Ben Affleck speaks out on his DC Films future: "I want to direct a Batman movie"

It looks like Ben Affleck may not be quite done with his tenure with the Caped Crusader after all, putting a rest to all of those rumors that the Academy Award winning director of "Argo" and "The Town" would be stepping away from his duties as Batman of the DC Extended Universe after this year's Justice League and the rumored Flashpoint movie. In a recent interview with Daily Sabah, the Hollywood star and film director put his future as the current Dark Knight of cinema into question and that anything was possible at this point.

"I want to direct a Batman movie, and I never got a script that I was happy with, so they are starting over and writing another script. And right now, I think a lot of different possibilities I think for the way the DC Universe could go, and I will just follow my interests in pursing that. And I know that I love working with this group of people, and it was a real joy for me to make this movie."

So there it is. Ben's still itching to direct a Batman movie even after stepping away from directing duties for the first solo flick that's now gone to director Matt Reeves. Will he still be in that film or are the rumored replacements like Jake Gyllenhaal and Jon Hamm going to be considered? We can only wait and see for the future of DC Films.

Watch: "Batman v It" Fanmade Trailer is the stuff of awesome and fear

With the success of "It" in the box office and lots of fans talking about "Pennywise the Dancing Clown", it was only a matter of time until one fan decided that a certain Dark Knight should face off against "It" - and here comes YouTube user Adeel of Steel mashing "Batman v Superman" and Ben Affleck's scenes as Batman with the 2017 movie adaptation of Stephen King's "It" - to present the DCEU's version of the Caped Crusader against the supernatural force that preys on children and takes on the appearance of a clown - something that Bats hate in Gotham City.

Batman vs IT/Pennywise FULL TRAILER (Fan-Made)

Hot Toys reveals 1/6th scale Suicide Squad Batman LE Collectible Figure

Giving fans and collectors another reason to jump into the growing pool of pretty cool 1/6 scale action collectibles released, Hong Kong based toy manufacturer Hot Toys has officially announced a Limited Edition release of Batman as he appeared in for 2016's DC Extended Universe film "Suicide Squad", where Ben Affleck reprised his role as The Dark Knight and added exposition by taking on Deadshot and Harley Quinn in past segments shown in the film.

Via the official Facebook page of the toy company here's a look at some pics of the upcoming figure, which is available for pre-order in the site. Those who missed the Batman v Superman version of regular Batfleck now have another chance to get this version of the Caped Crusader - and it comes with some new items and adjustments which includes the breathing mask he uses to dive and save Harley Quinn in the river.

Justice League: Zack Snyder shares new image of "Tactical Batsuit" Batman

In another one of those "coming out of nowhere" surprises that will certainly tease fans of what's to come when the film hits next year, Zack Snyder has tweeted a new image of Ben Affleck back as Batman for the upcoming "Justice League" movie... Only that it's our first look at the new "Tactical Batsuit" that the Dark Knight will wear in the film. Featuring a more "padded" look (similar to Christian Bale's 2nd Batsuit in The Dark Knight Trilogy) that no doubt shows that Bruce Wayne is going for a more protected yet functional version of his Batarmor suits, the costume does look somewhat familiar for those who have seen a certain other Warner Bros. superhero film that Snyder directed as well...

Yes, Batfleck's new suit is pretty similar to Nite Owl II from the 2009 Watchmen film. Regardless, I can't wait to see this in action once the film hits next year.

Justice League is targeted for a November 17, 2017 release!

Ben Affleck releases a teaser video featuring "Deathstroke" possibly debuting for DC Films

In what is certainly a BIG SURPRISE and literally coming from LEFT FIELD, Ben Affleck, the Batman of the DCEU himself, took to his own official accounts that includes his Facebook page and released what appears to be test footage of the DC Extended Universe's own Deathstroke making his DC Films debut, and it could be for next year's Justice League!



Now it's possible that Affleck is just playing around and teasing, but this is just too good to be wasted, and we haven't seen a live-action Deathstroke since the character was featured as the primary villain for the second season of The CW's Arrow TV Series (where he was played by Manu Bennett). Time will tell what the official word is, and Ben Affleck is also directing his own Batman flick which doesn't have any details yet, and it could be a teaser for that - after all, Batman and Deathstroke have a long storied rivalry depicted in comics and different forms of media, including an intense fight in the video game Batman: Arkham Origins!

Justice League will be released on November 17, 2017.

SDCC 2016: "Imposter Batman" dressed Joker revealed by Hot Toys

You already know "There's Plenty Wrong" with The Joker... But what is turning out to be a surprising reveal at this San Diego Comic Con's "Preview Night" will have fans speculating as to what this August's Suicide Squad will bring, as Hot Toys has given attendees and the world via photo coverage (via Comic Book.com) a look at "Imposter Batman" Joker - aka Jared Leto's maniacal visage inside a Ben Affleck Batsuit that has been defiled and "Jokerized" for the Clown's own shenanigans!

What this exactly means for Batman in "Suicide Squad" and how The Joker got it is all left to interpretation. We'll just have to wait for Suicide Squad in theaters... And this Hot Toys to be available to collectors!

Batman v Superman: Unused Posters of Batman and Superman go online

It's been about two months since Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment propelled the DC Extended Universe forward with the release of "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice", and now Reddit has found some unused character posters of the film featuring Ben Affleck as Batman and Henry Cavill as Superman, ready to kick each other's ass as they square off.

The Ultimate Edition of BvS, slated for release on July 16, will come to Blu-Ray and will be R-Rated.

Batman v Superman: Official Images and "Bat-Tech" DC All Access episode released

With just over a week until it hits theaters worldwide, Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment (via Comic Book.com) have released 40 official images to promote "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice", which contains official stills from the film and Behind The Scenes shots as well.

Additionally, DC All Access has a grand episode focusing on the "Bat-Tech" Ben Affleck's Batman will use in the film, including looks at the Grappling Gun, Cowl, and Batarang!

Batman v Superman Secrets: Tech Cowl, Grappling Gun and Batarang
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice hits theaters on March 25th in the US!

DC All Access: Batman v Superman Batmobile designer spotlights the Bat's iconic ride

It's going to be an EPIC RIDE in the next few weeks as "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" prepares to hit theaters, but DC All Access is teasing fans looking forward to the movie with a new video that spotlights none other than the Dark Knight's iconic ride... The Batmobile!

Check out this look at the secrets of the most iconic vehicle in comic book history with the production designer behind the BvS iteration of the car!

BvS Batmobile Designer Shares Concept Art & Inside Secrets
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice hits theaters on March 25th in the US!

Batman v Superman: Ben Affleck explains how playing Batman was "daunting"

In many ways, Ben Affleck being cast as Batman a couple of years ago for the DC Films epic "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" was not in the forefront of anyone's mind, least of all the Academy Award winning actor and director of Argo himself. However when the announcement broke out in 2013 and he was officially tapped to play an older and more hardened Dark Knight, there was a lot of mixed reactions from the world... UNTIL footage and pics of what is now dubbed "Batfleck" appeared online and quelled any doubts or misconceptions. This is a Batman that is truly going to change the way we perceive the Caped Crusader in cinema henceforth... And we only have a few weeks to go until the film hits!

Now during a press tour visit in Beijing this weekend to promote BvS alongside Superman actor Henry Cavill and director Zack Snyder, Ben Affleck explained that playing Batman was a "daunting aspect" that made playing the character a challenge to him. A video caught by the Associated press highlights the man's explanation on playing the new Caped Crusader of the big screen.

Affleck 'daunted' by Batman Role
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice opens in theaters on March 25th!

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice: Batmobile Promo released

Giving another look at the sleek new ride that will debut alongside the brand new Dark Knight of the Big Screen that is Ben Affleck, Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment have released a brand new short promo clip for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, which shows Batman driving The Batmobile through a pretty tight space that's reminiscent of the Batman: Arkham Knight action sequences.

Via Coming Soon.net, here's the clip of the action sequence.


Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice opens in theaters on March 25, 2016.