A DCEU Disaster, A Bittersweet Cameo
It’s no secret that the recent DCEU movie, “The Flash”, has been the talk of the town – but not for all the right reasons. Despite Warner Bros. Discovery promoting it as one of the most significant films ever, the movie had a lukewarm reception. The Ezra Miller-led movie was met with critical disdain, culminating in a box office fiasco. Yet, amid all the criticism, one shining moment was Nicolas Cage’s Superman cameo.
Nicolas Cage, famous for almost playing Superman in Tim Burton’s 1990s shelved project “Superman Lives,” made a much-talked-about appearance in “The Flash.” However, the waters are now muddied, with Cage and Burton sharing differing views on the nature of the cameo.
Cage Speaks Out
In a recent interview with Yahoo! Entertainment, Cage addressed Burton’s concerns about the cameo. Burton had previously shared his dissatisfaction, stating he was “in quiet revolt” over the apparent use of AI in his Superman’s recreation. Cage clarified:
“When I went to the picture, it was me fighting a giant spider. I did not do that. That was not what I did. I don’t think it was [created by] AI. I know Tim is upset about AI, as I am. It was CGI, OK, so that they could de-age me, and I’m fighting a spider. I didn’t do any of that, so I don’t know what happened there. … But I get where Tim’s coming from. I know what he means. I would be very unhappy if people were taking my art … and appropriating them. I get it. I mean, I’m with him in that regard. AI is a nightmare to me. It’s inhumane. You can’t get more inhumane than artificial intelligence.”
The Multiverse Dilemma in The Flash
More Than Just CGI Concerns
The introduction of the multiverse has been a game-changer in the realm of superhero movies. It’s allowed DC and Marvel to weave intricate storylines and pay respects to past ventures. However, “The Flash” struggled to ride this multiverse wave, especially when it came to its cameo choices.
A major contention point was the absence of Grant Gustin’s version of The Flash, a fan-favorite, especially after his character met Miller’s Barry Allen in the Arrowverse’s “Crisis on Infinite Earths.”
The Flash’s use of VFX also faced significant scrutiny. Some cameos appeared devoid of emotions, largely due to the reliance on A.I. models or CGI. The appearances by iconic figures like Christopher Reeve and Helen Slater, portraying Superman and Supergirl respectively, were examples of this. Additionally, while a VFX editor portrayed Jay Garrick in the Chronobowl sequence, the CGI was reminiscent of Teddy Sears’s Hunter Zolomon from The Flash season 2, causing confusion among fans.
Facing the Challenges of Generational Gaps
“The Flash” also grappled with a generational challenge. Younger viewers might not recognize the significance of cameos such as Michael Keaton and Adam West’s Batmen or the fact that nearly thirty years ago, Cage was on the brink of becoming the Man of Steel. This generational gap may have contributed to the movie’s overall reception.
The Legacy of The Flash
Despite its tumultuous journey, “The Flash” will remain a pivotal point in DC’s cinematic history. The controversies, discussions, and debates it sparked ensure that it will be a topic of conversation for fans and critics alike for years to come.
