A new leak claims that The Flash will feature the return of a key supporting character from Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League.
Industry insider ViewerAnon tweeted that Jeremy Irons' Alfred Pennyworth is making a surprise comeback in the upcoming DC Extended Universe blockbuster. Big Screen Leaks, another account known for sharing reliable spoilers, responded to ViewerAnon's tweet soon after to confirm that Irons was indeed part of the film. Should these reports prove accurate, The Flash will be the first time that this incarnation of Alfred has appeared on screen since Zack Snyder's Justice League aired on HBO Max in 2021.
Rumors of Irons' alleged return to the DCEU come hot on the heels of a new description of Ben Affleck's involvement in The Flash. This leak claims that Affleck's Batman teams up with Ezra Miller's Flash for the first 20 minutes of the movie. It also alleges that Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman is present for these scenes, even coming to the Dark Knight's rescue at one point. ViewerAnon later backed up this report, while also clarifying that the Batman/Flash team-up lasts around 10-15 minutes.
The Flash has experienced a troubled production, suffering several significant delays during principal photography. While many fans were hoping to finally see the film in 2022, the premiere date was ultimately bumped back to June 2023. This has had knock-on effects for other upcoming films set in the same shared universe, particularly Shazam! Fury of the Gods.
More recently, The Flash star Ezra Miller was charged with disorderly conduct and harassment for an incident that occurred in a bar in Hilo, Hawaii. Following Miller's arrest, reports emerged that the actor was prone to erratic behavior on the Flash set, including "frequent meltdowns."
This, coupled with prior evidence of Miller's history of violent outbursts, supposedly motivated Warner Bros. to put the star's DCEU future on hold. A source inside the studio denied that any meetings took place regarding Miller's further involvement in the wider franchise and further debunked claims that Warner Bros. hit pause on the actor's upcoming DC projects.
The Flash sprints into theaters June 23, 2023.