Jeffrey Dean Morgan's Lost Shot At Playing Batman In A Flashpoint Movie
When Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice hit theaters in 2016, fans were intrigued—and a bit puzzled—by the casting of Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Lauren Cohan as Thomas and Martha Wayne. These were big-name actors, known for gritty roles in projects like The Walking Dead , yet their screen time was limited to a brief, tragic flashback. Almost immediately, speculation swirled: was this a sneaky setup for a future Flashpoint film, with Morgan stepping into the cowl as a darker, alternate-universe Batman?
Fast forward nearly a decade, and those fan theories have been both validated and dashed. In a recent interview on the Den of Geek YouTube channel, Morgan, alongside Cohan, confirmed that there were plans for him to play Thomas Wayne as Batman in a Flashpoint adaptation. Sadly, the project never materialized, leaving fans to mourn yet another missed opportunity in Zack Snyder's DC Universe. A Tease That Sparked Hope
The Flashpoint storyline, based on the 2011 DC Comics event, flips the Batman mythos on its head. In this alternate timeline, it's Thomas Wayne, not Bruce, who becomes Batman after a tragedy reshapes the Wayne family. Morgan's casting in Batman v Superman seemed like perfect foreshadowing. Fans imagined him as a grizzled, morally complex Batman, a role that would've leaned into his knack for intense, layered characters like Negan in The Walking Dead . Cohan as a twisted Martha Wayne—potentially the Joker in this universe—only fueled the excitement.
But as the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) evolved, those dreams fizzled. The 2023 Flash movie, while loosely inspired by Flashpoint , sidelined Thomas Wayne entirely, opting instead to bring back Michael Keaton as Batman. Many assumed Snyder had simply tossed Morgan and Cohan into Batman v Superman as a favor to old pals, with no bigger plan in mind. More on The Flash. Photo Credit: DC Comics Morgan Confirms the Scrapped Plan
Turns out, the fans were onto something. While promoting The Walking Dead: Dead City , Morgan dropped a bombshell during the Den of Geek interview. He revealed that Snyder had indeed envisioned a Flashpoint film where Thomas and Martha Wayne would play 'a much bigger role.'
'Truthfully, Zack was gonna do more movies,' Morgan said. 'And I think there was a time when Flashpoint Batman would have seen these two characters in a much bigger role. And that was part of the Zack world of all of it, and then I never got a chance to do that, unfortunately.'
The collapse of this project ties directly to Snyder's gradual exit from the DCEU. After creative differences and personal challenges, Snyder stepped away from Justice League , and his broader vision for the DC Universe—including films like Flashpoint —was shelved as Warner Bros. pivoted to new directions. Why It Hurts
For fans, this revelation stings. Morgan as Thomas Wayne's Batman could've been electric—a chance to see a darker, more vengeful take on the Caped Crusader, clashing with Ben Affleck's weathered Bruce Wayne. The Flashpoint comics are beloved for their bold twists, and Morgan's intensity would've been a perfect fit. Pair that with Cohan's potential as a chaotic Martha/Joker, and you've got a recipe for a game-changing superhero movie.
The DCEU's history is littered with what-ifs, from Affleck's unmade Batman solo film to the scrapped Justice League sequels. Morgan's Flashpoint joins that list, a casualty of a franchise that struggled to capitalize on its stellar casting and ambitious ideas. Affleck himself has spoken about his frustrations with the DCEU, particularly the grueling experience of playing Batman, which he detailed in interviews about the physical and creative toll. What's Next for DC?
While Morgan's Batman dream didn't pan out, the DC Universe is far from done. Under James Gunn and Peter Safran's leadership, the rebooted DCU is taking shape, with projects like Superman (2025) and The Brave and the Bold on the horizon. Could Morgan still don the cowl in a future multiverse story? Never say never—DC loves its alternate realities, and fans would lose their minds for it.
For now, you can revisit Snyder's vision with Zack Snyder's Justice League , streaming on HBO Max. And keep an eye on Morgan and Cohan in The Walking Dead: Dead City , where they're still kicking zombie butt.
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