G33K LYFE: Flash vs. Flash - The DC cinematic multiverse

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Marvel may have taken over the big screen, but they have nothing on DC's television lineup.

With the March release of Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice drawing closer, DC’s answer to the Marvel cinematic universe will have officially kicked off. While watching the Caped Crusader and the Man of Steel duke it out on the big screen is the main draw, the film also will be planting the seeds for the upcoming Justice League movie that will cap off the first stage of DC’s franchise.

Despite the similarities between this movie and the Marvel films that have dominated the box office the last few years, DC has been carving out a significant chunk of superhero television for themselves. The CW network has been the focal point of their programming, kicking off with Arrow four years ago and spinning off with The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow. CBS has also entered the party with the recent debut of Supergirl, though it is not in the same universe as the other three.

With DC programs airing almost every night of the week, it seemed that they had the television advantage over their comic rivals, who only have Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. currently complimenting their numerous films. Having already introduced major heroes to the public, both time and money could be saved in the telling of the origin stores of the Justice League members. Or at least that’s what people assumed.

The first hint that this would not be the case was the announcement of Ezra Miller as Barry Allen a.k.a. The Flash. Miller’s casting was met with confusion due to the fact that he is not Grant Gustin, who has brought the role to life over the last season and a half of television. It seemed that instead of embracing the extended universe like Marvel, DC was drawing a firm dividing line between their big and small screen productions.

However, recent developments during this season of The Flash has opened up some intriguing possibilities which could potentially pave the way for the two universes, and their speedsters, to interact after all.

All throughout season two, Barry and his team have been contending with adversaries from a parallel Earth, officially ratifying the existence of the DC multiverse on the small screen. Main characters have already met some of their doppelgangers, some of whom occupy vastly different roles to the characters we know.

Additionally, last week’s episode included a brief cameo of Melissa Benoist’s Supergirl, confirming that despite her show being on a different network, she exists on another version of Earth. Also, it was confirmed that Gustin will be guest starring in an episode this season, proving that The Flash can in fact travel between the different universes.

If the film wing of DC embraces the multiverse concept as well, the possibilities seem virtually endless. Could Miller’s Barry Allen simply be a different looking version of Gustin’s? Could the small screen mentions of Atlantis tie in to Aquaman’s debut in some way? It will be years before any of these questions will be answered, but with DC’s ambitions to catch up to, and eventually surpass Marvel, nothing is out of the question.