The Flash Introduces DCU's Multiverse and Playfully Contrasts It with the MCU

 

In the movie "The Flash," the concept of the multiverse is introduced in the DC Universe (DCU). The Flash, played by Ezra Miller, goes back in time to prevent his mother's murder, but this action unintentionally breaks his universe and puts the entire multiverse in danger. While explaining how the multiverse and time travel work, the movie takes a dig at the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Barry Allen's actions in the past have a massive impact on the entire universe. The Flash encounters his younger self before the invasion by General Zod in "Man of Steel." He realizes that his actions have created a timeline where Superman doesn't exist, Aquaman was never born, Wonder Woman is still unknown, and Cyborg hasn't become a cyborg. These changes also affect pop culture and history. As a result of Barry's actions, Michael Keaton's Batman replaces Ben Affleck's Dark Knight, and this change takes a playful jab at the MCU's multiverse.

Keaton's Batman is familiar with the multiverse and explains to Barry how his simple act of changing the past had such a catastrophic impact. He compares the DCU's multiverse to a plate of spaghetti, where timelines are tangled together and intersect at certain points called "intersectional inevitabilities." These are moments or characters that are similar across realities and cannot be altered. This concept is different from the MCU's multiverse, which creates alternate branch realities from the main timeline.

The new multiverse framework in the DCU allows for unique and potentially less derivative storytelling compared to the ongoing Multiverse Saga in the MCU. It remains to be seen if future DCU movies will follow this framework. Nevertheless, the way DC defines its multiverse by comparing it to the MCU's is clever.

In summary, "The Flash" introduces the multiverse concept in the DCU, with the Flash's actions causing major changes and threatening the entire multiverse. The movie takes a playful jab at the MCU's multiverse construction while explaining the DCU's version, comparing it to a plate of spaghetti. This new framework sets the DCU apart and offers potential for distinct storytelling in the future.