This summer, George Clooney made headlines with a surprising return to the DC Universe, reprising his role as Bruce Wayne in The Flash after a 25-year hiatus. Notably, Clooney’s initial portrayal in Joel Schumacher’s Batman & Robin (1997) earned criticism, making his unexpected return a noteworthy event. However, the actor clarifies that his reprisal in The Flash was a one-time occurrence, addressing the speculation surrounding additional Batman roles.
Joel Schumacher’s Batman & Robin is widely regarded as one of the worst superhero movies ever made, with Clooney expressing his dissatisfaction with the film’s screenplay in a 2020 interview with Howard Stern. Despite his reservations, Clooney’s return to the iconic role surprised fans during The Flash’s climactic scene, sparking discussions about the actor’s future involvement in the Batman franchise.
In The Flash, released in June, Clooney’s return as Bruce Wayne added an unexpected twist to the narrative. As Ezra Miller’s Barry Allen interacts with Bruce Wayne over the phone, Clooney takes on the role, deviating from expectations set for Ben Affleck. The unexpected appearance led to speculation about whether Clooney would continue to don the cape in future Batman endeavors.
At the Los Angeles premiere of his new film, The Boys in the Boat, Clooney was questioned by The Hollywood Reporter about the potential for more Batman roles. In his characteristically humorous style, Clooney responded, “Oh yeah. Somehow there were not a lot of requests for me to reprise my role as Batman, I don’t know why.”
Having shifted his focus to directing post-his superhero stint, Clooney directed The Boys in the Boat. The film narrates the inspiring true story of the 1936 University of Washington rowing squad, securing a gold medal at the Berlin Summer Olympics. Scheduled for release on December 25, the movie showcases Clooney’s multifaceted talents beyond his iconic portrayal of Batman.
George Clooney’s brief return as Batman in The Flash served as a nostalgic moment for fans, but the actor himself affirms that this reprisal was a one-time event. As Clooney continues to diversify his roles, both in front of and behind the camera, his unexpected cameo in The Flash remains a memorable chapter in the ever-evolving world of superhero cinema.
