Earlier this year, The Flash, one of DC’s most iconic superheroes, made his debut on the big screen in his solo film. The titular speedster has been no stranger to appearing in movies and television, but this marked the first time he headlined his movie. 

Despite a lackluster box office return and a middling critical reception, the film still had a ton for fans to talk about. And, as ComicBook.com points out, there was a good mixture of talking points in front of and behind the camera. From a tumultuous road to its release and multiple appearances in the film, fans have enough to talk about for a while. But one of these inclusions left its original handler disappointed. 

In 1989, Tim Burton brought Batman to the big screen, marking the first time the caped crusader has been in a more mature theatrical outing. He stuck around with the character for the 1992 sequel Batman Returns and even danced with concepts for a movie based around Superman. What would have gone on to be known as Superman Lives, the film would have put the cape on Nicolas Cage, but the product was canned in the late 90’s. However, Burton’s Batman and Superman made it to the big screen together in The Flash. 

When prompted about his lost Superman film in a BFI interview, Burton said, “No, I don’t have regrets.” 

“I will say this: when you work that long on a project, and it doesn’t happen, it affects you for the rest of your life. Because you get passionate about things, and each thing is an unknown journey, and it wasn’t there yet. But it’s one of those experiences that never leaves you, a little bit. But also it goes into another AI thing, and this is why I think I’m over it with the studio. They can take what you did, Batman or whatever, and culturally misappropriate it, or whatever you want to call it. Even though you’re a slave of Disney or Warner Brothers, they can do whatever they want. So in my latter years of life, I’m in quiet revolt against all this.” 

The Flash is available to rent and own.