Warning! This article contains spoilers for The Flash.
Serving as the bridge between the DCEU and the new-look DCU, The Flash's multiversal story offers up several references, cameos, and Easter eggs to both Warner Bros.' and DC's history. Directed by Andy Muschietti, The Flash tells the story of Barry Allen, the titular speedster. After his mother was killed and his father incarcerated for her murder, Barry attempts to use his powers to reverse time, saving both his parents in the process.
Due to the film's nature as a multiversal, time-travel-related story, The Flash's Easter Eggs pack in plenty of fan service and references. Much like MCU movies of the past like Spider-Man: No Way Home and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness or Sony attempts like Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, The Flash has a lot of fun with alternate timelines and other DC franchises. With recent news on The Flash 2 indicating a sequel could be possible, the cameos, Easter eggs, and references found in The Flash could continue into the DCU's future.
27 Wonder Woman Has A Cameo In The Flash Movie
The biggest cameo in The Flash's first act comes in the form of Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman. After having a similar appearance in 2023's Shazam! Fury of the Gods, Diana Prince/Wonder Woman appears in Gotham at the climax of the film's opening action sequence. The scene ends with Ben Affleck's Batman hanging off a bridge, trying desperately to keep a criminal holding dangerous chemicals from dropping into the river as it could destroy the city. Just as he falls, the Lasso of Truth wraps around him as Wonder Woman saves the day before flying off to another adventure.
26 The Flash References The Snyder Cut’s Barry & Iris Scene
Later in The Flash's first act, Barry meets with Iris West. In the DCEU so far, Barry and Iris have only interacted in Zack Snyder's Justice League, when the former saves the latter from a car accident. Outside of this, Kiersey Clemons has not appeared in any other DCEU movie, meaning The Flash somewhat canonizes the events of Zack Snyder's Justice League. Even more so, Iris references the car crash scene from the 2020 film, stating that she and Barry have met briefly before. Barry denies this, in a fun nod to the unclear nature of Zack Snyder's Justice League in DCEU canon.
25 Barry’s Dad Is Incarcerated In DC’s Iron Heights Penitentiary
Stemming from the story established with Barry and his dad - Henry Allen - from Justice League, Barry remains in with his incarcerated father. One scene in The Flash features the two talking on the phone before Barry's dad is cut off by the prison. The prison in which Henry is being held is named Iron Heights Penitentiary, DC's most famous prison from the comics. Iron Heights is predominantly used by the Flash in the comics - and the CW TV show - and is where most of Barry's rogues are held after he arrests them.
24 Barry’s DCEU History Is Visible In The Speed Force
Undoubtedly the biggest vehicle for references, Easter eggs, and cameos in The Flash is the Speed Force, the mystical realm Barry is transported to when he runs fast enough. Via the Speed Force, Barry sees glimpses of his past, showcasing his DCEU history. With The Flash’s Rotten Tomatoes score ranking it as the third-best DCEU solo movie, the references to Barry’s past in the franchise hit even harder. From the events of Justice League to earlier periods of Barry's life established in The Flash, the Speed Force offers a brief retelling of Ezra Miller's tenure as the Scarlet Speedster in the DCEU.
23 Henry Cavill’s Superman Appears Twice In The Flash's First Act
Through the Speed Force, Henry Cavill's Superman makes an appearance in The Flash. One of the elements of Barry's life that can be seen is his battle with Superman alongside the rest of the titular team from Justice League. Despite his time as Superman coming to an end, Cavill appears albeit via a flashback. However, another scene in The Flash - outside of the Speed Force - shows Cavill's Superman saving people from an active volcano, in what is more than likely his last appearance as the Man of Steel.
22 Barry Lives Opposite A Store Named The Grayson's
A fun nod to the wider DC Universe comes in the scene in which Barry is talking to Bruce Wayne outside of the former's apartment. Opposite Barry's house is a store named "Grayson's". This is a reference to the DC family of the same name from which Dick Grayson hails, a hero commonly associated with Batman as the first Robin and later Nightwing.
21 Alternate Barry’s Room Features Many Poster Easter Eggs
After traveling back in time, Barry enters his alternate self's bedroom. On the walls of the room, some fun Easter eggs can be seen linking to Warner Bros.' history. Alternate Barry has many film posters plastered on his wall, including I Am Legend, Inception, and Pacific Rim, all movies that were distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.
20 Alternate Barry's Room References James Gunn's DC Takeover
Similarly, alternate Barry has a poster on his wall of 2002's Scooby-Doo. Scooby-Doo was one of the first films James Gunn wrote in his Hollywood career, smartly referencing the filmmaker's takeover as the head of DC Studios alongside Peter Safran. Similarly, a flashback in The Flash shows young Barry wearing a t-shirt referencing the Mystery Machine from the Scooby-Doo franchise, another subtle link to James Gunn.
19 Temuera Morrison Has A Cameo As Tom Curry In The Flash
Another fun cameo found in The Flash comes in the form of Temuera Morrison. Morrison previously appeared in 2018's Aquaman as Tom Curry, the father of the titular Atlantean. When Barry travels to an alternate dimension in The Flash, he seeks out the Justice League, leading to him calling Tom Curry. Morrison appears, only as an alternate version of the character who is married to a human and whose only knowledge of Arthur Curry comes from his dog as Aquaman was never born.
18 Barry Was In Metropolis During Man Of Steel
One of the more interesting Easter eggs in The Flash is more of a retcon. While many thought the battle of Metropolis from Man of Steel was going to be revisited in The Flash's alternate timeline, it was actually revealed that the scenes were directly from Man of Steel and the DCEU's timeline, showing that Barry was in Metropolis during Zod's attack. Barry had just gotten his powers, and traveled to Metropolis to help, before realizing the situation was too much for him to handle and leaving it to Superman.
