THE FLASH: 7 Key Moments From The Plot Leak Confirmed By The Trailer (And How The Movie Originally Ended)

THE FLASH: 7 Key Moments From The Plot Leak Confirmed By The Trailer (And How The Movie Originally Ended)

The first trailer for The Flash confirmed the validity of a plot leak from last year, so we're taking a closer look at those specific moments and how the movie was originally going to end pre-DC Studios!

Feature Opinion
By HamiltonParker - Feb 14, 2023 12:02 PM EST
Filed Under: The Flash

Last year, a detailed plot leak for The Flash found its way online. Since then, the movie has been through at least two rounds of reshoots, with the latest overseen by DC Studios. 

The Scarlet Speedster's big screen debut will no longer set the stage for a soft DCEU reboot and Crisis on Infinite Earths movie as the DCU is starting from scratch. It's likely going to do something that lays the groundwork for that new era of storytelling, but the validity of that plot leak was confirmed by the newly released trailer and TV spot.

Today, we're revisiting those spoiler-filled story details to share the moments we now know will be in The Flash...as we attempt to figure out those which won't be! That includes a breakdown of the original ending and how it's reportedly changed in recent months.

Take a look at this feature by tapping on the NEXT button below. 
 

7. Return To 2013

The-Flash-Official-Trailer-1-6-screenshot-copy

In the plot leak, The Flash talks to Batman and suggests he could travel back in time to save his mother, only for Bruce Wayne - after their team-up - to warn that could have dire consequences for the universe.

We see that scene in the trailer, and know he travels back to 2013 where he meets his younger self. This Barry not yet being The Flash and having a mother who is still alive was also confirmed in the Super Bowl sneak peek, and we'd heard this fateful meeting between the two occurs on the day the teenager first receives his superpowers. 

Unfortunately for the future Scarlet Speedster, he's arrived in this reality minus his powers, and the first footage from the movie confirms that they do indeed both get hit by that lightning strike. However, only Barry's past self gains his abilities.
 

6. Batman Returns

The-Flash-Big-Game-TV-Spot-0-18-screenshot-1-copy

Just like in the trailer, Barry and Barry head to Wayne Manor where they find a very different Batman. 

An old man with a grey beard and long hair (we spotted Michael Keaton rocking that look in the "Big Game" TV spot), he supposedly turns to the duo and asks, "You want to get nuts?" when they confront him. After he too comes to the conclusion The Flash has broken the universe, the retired Caped Crusader attempts to send the duo packing.

Remember, our first look at The Flash confirmed this is a world without Metahumans, and neither Wonder Woman nor Aquaman is said to exist in this reality. That's a problem given who shoes up next...
 

5. Invasion

The-Flash-Big-Game-TV-Spot-0-21-screenshot

The day Barry Allen becomes The Flash is also the day General Zod invades Earth (possibly explaining why that lightning bolt gave him powers). Michael Shannon was showcased in the trailer, while the TV spot confirmed claims Keaton's Batman has his own "Hall of Armor."

With Batman figuring out multiple timelines are converging on themselves, he also deduces where Superman is likely being kept by the U.S. government. 

After breaking in, they find Supergirl, who we saw escape captivity in the trailer before making short work of those who had been keeping the Kryptionan locked in the dark. The plot leak claims Superman died on the way to Earth in this reality, with Kara instead landing on Earth in his place. 
 

4. The Flash Powers Up

The-Flash-Official-Trailer-1-58-screenshot-copy

Back at Wayne Manor, the heroes deduce that they must stop Zod, but with an old Batman, a half-powered Supergirl, and a Barry Allen who has only just gained his powers, the future Scarlet Speedster needs his abilities back. 

Batman comes up with an idea to strap the hero into an electric chair atop Wayne Manor, but the plan fails. However, Supergirl flies him into the sky - which we saw in a blink-and-you'd-miss-it scene in the trailer - and he eventually regains access to the Speed Force. 

As for Zod, the plot leak was where we first heard he would make his stand in the desert, though whether claims he murders General Swanwick are accurate remains to be seen. 
 

3. Final Battle

The-Flash-Big-Game-TV-Spot-0-8-screenshot-copy

With the World Engine activated far away from Metropolis, casualties are kept to a minimum and our heroes make a stand against the Kryptonian villain. 

We've seen that play out, of course, and the plot leak alleges that Keaton's Dark Knight is badly injured. While the future Flash apologises for dragging him into this fight, Bruce is grateful to have been reminded of what it means to be a superhero. With that, he dies, and while there had been plans to undo that, we're guessing it is now how his story ends. 

We can't confirm this is the case, but for those of you who are curious, after realising he can't save his mother without breaking reality, The Flash allows her to die and returns to the present where the DCEU is restored to its old self. Or so it seems. 
 

2. The Original Ending

The-Flash-Official-Trailer-2-28-screenshot-copy

In the present day, Bruce Wayne pulls up in his familiar Mercedes, but it's not Ben Affleck's Caped Crusader who steps out; it's Michael Keaton! Both he and Supergirl are now permanently part of then DCEU, meaning Warner Bros. could have finally rid itself of SnyderVerse actors Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill.

That's where the movie was supposed to end, though Cavill's return in Black Adam led to him being added back into the movie for a brief Speed Force cameo confirming Superman hadn't been wiped from reality (he'd just gain a cousin).

Original plans called for the Man of Steel to vanish and potentially return in a Crisis on Infinite Earths project. A post-credits scene, meanwhile, saw Barry hanging out with Aquaman before receiving a message from the Multiverse. Affleck's Batman is stranded and needs help from the Fastest Man Alive. Guess what? That's also been cut.
 

1. Now What?

The-Flash-Big-Game-TV-Spot-0-6-screenshot-copy

The Flash supposedly has a different ending due to DC Studios' plans to relaunch the DCEU as the DCU, with cameos from Cavill and Gal Gadot at the end of the movie left on the cutting room floor. 

Keaton and Sasha Calle's respective returns - seen in set photos - are also no more as there will be no continuation of this story (the former had been eyed to return in Batgirl and Batman Beyond before both were scrapped). Rumour has it a new ending has been shot teasing the possibilities of the Multiverse, including a cameo from a former Batman. 

Making The Flash a hero who travels through the Multiverse takes him off the board and allows the DCU to be its own thing. There will be an awful lot of great scenes we now don't get to see, sadly. Alas, a reboot beckons!
 

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thereeljoefish
thereeljoefish - 2/14/2023, 12:24 PM
Stoked. For now of course.
TheWalkingCuban
TheWalkingCuban - 2/14/2023, 12:34 PM
Hate to say it guys but this looks really good. Love me some Michael Shannon. Guess him be replaced by molly Shannon won’t be spoiled til the 3rd trailer
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 2/14/2023, 2:47 PM
@TheWalkingCuban - it does look pretty good. But that's not what I'm worried about
TheWalkingCuban
TheWalkingCuban - 2/14/2023, 3:25 PM
@bkmeijer1 - you mean the elite liberal getting away with kidnapping and grooming a minor? Yeah me too.
GirshwinDavies
GirshwinDavies - 2/14/2023, 3:42 PM
@TheWalkingCuban - not a good look
GirshwinDavies
GirshwinDavies - 2/14/2023, 3:42 PM
@TheWalkingCuban - But you’re right. It does look good
MarvelZombie616
MarvelZombie616 - 2/14/2023, 12:38 PM
This movie has been delayed for how long?
Was it shot in 2019?
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 2/14/2023, 2:48 PM
@MarvelZombie616 - I think 2021, but that's still a long while between production and release. Doesn't beat Top Gun Maverick though. That was already shot in 2018
PoolParty
PoolParty - 2/14/2023, 12:40 PM
Hopefully the new plot is this worlds Barry dies and a new one with a new actor shows up
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 2/14/2023, 3:44 PM
@PoolParty - From the synopsis:

"Ultimately, to save the world that he is in and return to the future that he knows, Barry's only hope is to race for his life. But will making the ultimate sacrifice be enough to reset the universe?"

Sounds like Barry makes the ultimate sacrifice.
Origame
Origame - 2/14/2023, 12:41 PM
The pics you chose are so random.

"Back to 2013" shot of Bruce Wayne from present time.

"The flash powers up" shot of supergirl flying.

"Batman returns" shot of an old man with long hair from behind (who we know can't be batman due to bts images).
Unscrupulous
Unscrupulous - 2/14/2023, 1:25 PM
@Origame - clueless
Unscrupulous
Unscrupulous - 2/14/2023, 2:09 PM
@Origame - Back to 2013" shot of Bruce Wayne from present time. With Barry talking to him about going back to 2013.

"The flash powers up" shot of supergirl flying.
Carrying Barry into the clouds of lightning.

"Batman returns" shot of an old man with long hair from behind (who we know can't be batman due to bts images).
Obviously an unkept Bruce Wayne.
Origame
Origame - 2/14/2023, 2:52 PM
@Unscrupulous - 1) except the description says he just warned about going to the past and changing things. Not specifically going to the past.

2) yeah, we see the two Barry's getting their powers. And it doesn't involve supergirl at all.

3) we see Keaton Bruce, and he isn't unkempt.
Unscrupulous
Unscrupulous - 2/14/2023, 4:45 PM
@Origame - you see Keaton before he shaves and after.
You see young barry get his powers. But it fails for future barry. So they have to try twice more. One with the electric chair. And another with supergirl flying him into the clouds.
In the trailer batfleck is warning barry of the problems of going back. In the exact scene pictures. Again clueless
Origame
Origame - 2/14/2023, 4:50 PM
@Unscrupulous - ...we see both Barry's get their powers at the same time. And Bruce is warning of stopping his mother from dying, which wasn't 2013.
Unscrupulous
Unscrupulous - 2/14/2023, 5:18 PM
@Origame - we see affleck warn of time traveling.
We see two Barry’s get struck by lightning at the same time
We see Keaton in Batman suit after he shaves.
Everything you said beyond what I typed here is what you think.
In the future
Don’t believe everything you think.
The film was completed two years ago.
Origame
Origame - 2/14/2023, 5:22 PM
@Unscrupulous - really Josh? You also made an account to defend your bs points?
Unscrupulous
Unscrupulous - 2/14/2023, 6:10 PM
@Origame - who’s Josh?
And I’m not wrong here.
You are.
Origame
Origame - 2/14/2023, 6:12 PM
@Unscrupulous - ...so youve been on this site since 2013, yet you don't know Josh, the guy who is easily the most frequent writer on this site? Come on. You can do better with playing dumb Josh.
Unscrupulous
Unscrupulous - 2/14/2023, 6:17 PM
@Origame - from the article “ the first footage from the movie confirms that they do indeed both get hit by that lightning strike. However, only Barry's past self gains his abilities.”
Unscrupulous
Unscrupulous - 2/14/2023, 6:19 PM
@Origame - from the article “ Batman comes up with an idea to strap the hero into an electric chair atop Wayne Manor, but the plan fails. However, Supergirl flies him into the sky - which we saw in a blink-and-you'd-miss-it scene in the trailer - and he eventually regains access to the Speed Force.”

Origame
Origame - 2/14/2023, 6:44 PM
@Unscrupulous - yeah, that isn't what the first footage showed at all. You're confusing it with plot leaks (and I'm saying you, because you clearly wrote this article, josh).
JonC
JonC - 2/14/2023, 7:02 PM
@Origame - Long gray hair sounds like Oliver... a friends of Bats and someone who could be using his house.
SATW42
SATW42 - 2/14/2023, 12:50 PM
The new ending is just a white on black title card with a picture of Snyder and below it says "The Snyderverse, 2013-2023" and hundreds of dude bros cry into their Joe Rogan energy drinks.
SummersEssex
SummersEssex - 2/14/2023, 12:50 PM
Somehow this makes me less annoyed at all the DCU changes. This feels like it will actually give closure to Cavill and Affleck in a way and that makes me less pissed at the whole thing. I guess that's good?

I really dig the Flashpoint storyline for Superman being used for Supergirl. And if this is the end of Keaton's Batman I'm ok with that. So bizarre that a film that has been so deep in development purgatory for so long could turn out to be one of the better superhero films.
Ha1frican
Ha1frican - 2/14/2023, 12:52 PM
Sounds terrible imo. Would much rather have had the actual flashpoint than whatever this is. Seems like a reaction to No Way Home hype rather than an actually interesting story
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 2/14/2023, 2:44 PM
@Ha1frican - I think the leak is already from before No Way Home, so I doubt it's a reaction to that. And even if it was, no way could they produce a movie that quick
Spike101
Spike101 - 2/14/2023, 1:04 PM
What a mess
Fogs
Fogs - 2/14/2023, 1:57 PM
@THEDARKKNIGHT1939 - He looks awesome there IMO.
LilJimmy
LilJimmy - 2/14/2023, 1:11 PM
How soon before the next reboot?
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 2/14/2023, 3:56 PM
@LilJimmy - If it crashes and burns, DOA right from the very start, it will probably reboot after about... 12 years?

I mean that's what happened the last time. A divisive first movie, a train wreck of a sequel and 16 movies later (most of them bad... in fact only two or three of them that were any good at all) we are finally rebooting.
Splash
Splash - 2/14/2023, 1:19 PM
Movie looks awesome, but I get the feeling that we're gonna be left missing a lot of what could have been. Imagine this movie being so enjoyed that it casts a shadow on the entire ensuing DCU lol. This is what comes of awful management of good things. We could have had the Snyderverse long completed by now and WB could have done a clean reboot. Now I get the impression that there's gonna be collateral damage from leaving behind what this movie is gonna bring to the table.
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