Amid continuous applause and bravos, the new superhero film "The Flash" premiered in China on June 11, providing audiences with a thrilling mix of multiverse escapades and emotionally charged narratives.

Supergirl, The Flash and Batman cosplayers pose for a photo in front of the cinema where the China premiere of "The Flash" is held in Beijing, on June 11, 2023. [Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Discovery China]

"The Flash," directed by Andy Muschietti, stars Ezra Miller in his first solo outing as Barry Allen, a DC Comics superhero. The story follows Barry as he travels back in time with his super speed to change the past to save his family, unintentionally spawning a world where General Zod reigns supreme and Superman is absent. To save the world, Barry recruits help from an alternate version of himself, a retired Batman, and an imprisoned Supergirl, all while trying to return to his own reality.

The Flash, created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Harry Lampert in 1940, was the first comic book character to experiment with the multiverse concept in 1961's "Flash of Two Worlds," a then-revolutionary idea that continues to inspire stories today. The filmmakers of "The Flash" film also drew inspiration from the influential comic "Flashpoint" (2011).

Director Muschietti described the film's creation as "a beautiful nostalgic trip and a beautiful challenge," noting that there's something in the foundations of the story that is very emotional. "It's a story between a kid and his mother. Without that, there's no way to build anything on top of it. And that's what I look for in movies, that's what I appreciate, and that's the kind of movie that I want to make. This story has a beautiful, emotional core that was powerful enough to spawn an adventure with these dimensions."

The film is a cinematic spectacle, combining epic action, dazzling visual effects, unexpected humor, and heartfelt moments. Fans and critics are hailing it as one of the best superhero films in recent years. The movie also brings together iconic and beloved DC characters from various timelines, including Ben Affleck's Batman and Michael Keaton's Batman, alongside surprising and long-anticipated cameo appearances from a host of superheroes played by familiar and beloved actors.

Of course, Keaton's return as Batman, over three decades since his last performance in the role, is one of the most significant parts of the film. When he donned the suit again, producer Barbara Muschietti recalled, "It was definitely an emotional moment for him and for us as fans."

The director shared that Keaton was intrigued about playing Batman again. "When he said 'yes,' we all got incredibly excited about it. And then it was a journey of discovery of imagination with him – trying to figure out how the character would look, how the character would feel decades after we last saw him. It was a very fun challenge, and he totally gave himself over to meet that challenge."

Director Andy Muschietti, actor Ezra Miller and producer Barbara Muschietti pose for a photo at the premiere of "The Flash" held at TCL Chinese Theatres in Los Angeles, the United States, on June 12, 2023. [Photo/VCG] 

Ezra Miller, the film's leading actor who is nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns, made their first public appearance at the Los Angeles premiere of "The Flash" at TCL Chinese Theatres in Hollywood on June 12, following a year marked by mental health issues and legal woes.

But Muschietti said meeting Ezra was an "incredible experience" artistically and creatively. "I think it's one of my best experiences working with an actor. Of course, Ezra conveyed the humor of Barry Allen in previous movies. But as a standalone movie, where Ezra is not only the protagonist but also plays two versions of Barry, it is incredibly challenging. When you see Ezra doing it, they make it look so easy. And it was a privilege to collaborate with them and see their incredible talent."

"The Flash" will join the summer season blockbuster race in China on June 16, 2023.  

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