The first trailer for The Flash was released during last night's Super Bowl, and the response from fans has been surprisingly positive. Before now, there's been a lot of uncertainty surrounding the long-delayed movie, especially given lead star Ezra Miller's seemingly endless list of controversies.
With Michael Keaton back as Batman and Supergirl set to return to the big screen, it's easy to see why there's so much excitement for The Flash, even if it's no longer as important to the DCU as it was once going to be to the DCEU.
We've combed through the trailer (and "Big Game" TV spot) to bring you a breakdown of the biggest moments and reveals, including what this footage tells us about the story and the characters who will take centre stage. Be warned, however, that we do get into potential spoiler territory!
To take a look through this feature, all you guys need to do is click on the "Next" button below.
7. Barry Allen Meets Barry Allen
Similar to the Flashpoint comic book, The Flash will clearly see Barry Allen decide to travel back in time in an effort to save his mother and stop his father from being framed for her murder.
However, doing so creates a new reality and it looks like we can expect a mixture of time travel and Multiversal madness across the course of this adventure. That would explain why the DCEU's Scarlet Speedster comes face-to-face with his past self who, back in 2013, had yet to gain his powers.
We're guessing the present-day Barry will initially be lacking his speed as well (hence why they're both struck by that fateful bolt of lightning in the hero's lab) with the two of them later suiting up as part of what looks to be an epic final battle. However, it's a fight which may seem somewhat familiar...
6. Man Of Steel Retold
Yes, The Flash is going to retell the events of 2013's Man of Steel, using Michael Shannon's General Zod as the movie's big bad rather than the many rogues the Fastest Man Alive has encountered in Central City over the years.
Toys have confirmed a villain dubbed "Dark Flash" will have a role to play, but the main threat appears to be the Kryptonian baddie who, in this timeline, has no Superman to oppose him when he invaded Earth. While there's a glimpse of some destruction in Metropolis, the main fight looks set to take place in the desert away from any innocent bystanders.
The Flash was originally going to reset the DCEU, so as well as replacing Batman, the plan was to switch out Henry Cavill's Superman with his cousin, hence why this is an origin story for Kara too.
5. A World Without Metahumans
Barry Allen admits that he's broken the universe by travelling back in time, and we have to assume that's why his world has somehow been combined with the one Michael Keaton's Batman calls home. However, one crucial reveal here is the fact this new reality has no metahumans.
Those of you expecting The Flash to feature the world-threatening war between Aquaman and Wonder Woman's respective nations will be disappointed then, especially as they both featured in an earlier version of the script.
Instead, it's down to two versions of the Scarlet Speedster, a retired Batman, and a Krytponian who has been held captive her entire life to save the say, and we're sure there's a fun story to be told with this scaled-down Justice League. It just won't be the epic tale some comic book fans might have expected or hoped for.
4. Batman(s) Return
Ben Affleck's Batman makes his return here for an action scene and hard-hitting conversation with Barry Allen. The hero clearly ignores the Caped Crusader's advice by travelling back in time, leaving poor "Batfleck" wiped completely out of existence by the hero's decision.
We're hoping that's acknowledged in a meaningful way, though the nature of the Multiverse may just mean Barry is now missing from his Earth. Whatever the case may be, we're confident the bigger talking point for many of you will be seeing Michael Keaton back as Tim Burton's Dark Knight.
Original plans called for him to follow this movie with Batgirl and Batman Beyond, so fingers crossed that this one-and-done appearance can still work on a standalone basis. He may be older, but this Bruce Wayne can still kick ass, even if it's in a Batsuit that still won't let him turn his head!
3. Meet Kara
We've mentioned Supergirl a few times throughout this breakdown, but let's take a closer look at what this trailer reveals. Like the Flashpoint Superman, it seems Kara has been held captive by the government and deprived of the sunlight she needs to be the world's most powerful superhero.
The two versions of The Flash and Batman seemingly break her out (no doubt thinking they would find Superman), and Kara definitely looks like a force to be reckoned with. That costume is fantastic in live-action, and we'd assume she'll be the one squaring off with General Zod in place of the Man of Steel.
The Super Bowl TV spot gives Kara the chance to speak, screaming "What did you do?" at an unknown character. Will Sasha Calle be given the chance to star in DC Studios' Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow? We hope so.
2. Old Man Batman
Going back to that TV spot (you can check it out here if you missed it), and we spot a man with long hair it seems may be Michael Keaton's Caped Crusader. Has he retired in the years since we last saw him fighting crime in Gotham City?
That seems likely, especially if this world without metahumans has no one else capable of protecting it. After all, Batman is just a man, and can only do so much to look after his home; now an old man, Barry Allen might be exactly what's needed to inspire the Dark Knight to suit up again and help save not just the world, but the entire Multiverse.
Common sense says this story was going to continue in Batgirl and Batman Beyond, with the rejuvenated Bruce Wayne now in a world of heroes. That won't play out in the new DCU, but at least his armoury of Batsuits looks pretty cool!
1. What Is This Movie, Anyway?
Prior to the formation of DC Studios, The Flash was going to set the stage for Crisis on Infinite Earths, a movie it's since been reported would have brought back Henry Cavill as Superman. However, Black Adam star Dwayne Johnson forcing Warner Bros.' hand meant the actor was added to the new world Barry creates at the end of the movie...which has since been cut.
With that in mind, a movie that was once going to reset the DCEU now looks set to result in the creation of the DCU. James Gunn has strongly hinted Blue Beetle could take place in that new world, but your guess is as good as ours when it comes to where that leaves Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.
There could be some teases in what will probably be a completely reshot ending, but we anticipate The Flash primarily being a standalone feature. DC Studios might choose to revisit it at some point, but only if Ezra Miller sorts themselves out...