Theory: Reverse Flash Is The Real Villain Of The Flash, Not Zod

"Flashpoint" is one of the most influential story arcs in all of DC Comics. The storyline sees Barry Allen use the speed force to travel back in time and save his mother from being murdered. When he returns to the present, he is elated to find that his mother has survived, but the world has changed in some devastating ways. Thomas Wayne has become Batman due to his son, Bruce, being the one who died at the hands of a criminal. Martha Wayne has gone the other way and becomes that timeline's version of the Joker. Superman landed in Metropolis and was hidden away in a scientific lab. And finally, Aquaman and Wonder Woman have brought their nations to the brink of war.

The main villain of the comics version of the storyline sees Eobard Thawne, AKA Reverse Flash, play a dangerous game of cat and mouse with Barry Allen. The film adaptation of the story arc seems to have changed a fair amount. There is no indication of the budding war between the Atlanteans and Amazons. They have brought back multiple Batman versions in Ben Affleck and Michael Keaton. They have swapped out Sasha Calle's Supergirl for Superman. And finally, they seem to have set up Zod (Michael Shannon) to return as a primary villain.

While Zod is a formidable villain for any hero, there are some indications that Zod won't be the movie's only villain. To the eagle-eyed fan, Reverse Flash is teased throughout.

Of course, Zod proved to be a great villain to kick off the DCEU, bringing Kryptonians to the world's attention and setting Ben Affleck's Batman on a collision course with Superman that set up "Batman v Superman." But putting him at the forefront of the most ambitious DC movie since the failed "Justice League" film seems like an under-achieving goal. There is also the small problem that Henry Cavill's Superman already bested him all by himself. Seems like an underwhelming climax to the DCEU and reset for the DCU.

However, if you are a fan of DC Comics or simply the Flash's rogues gallery, you see hope for the movie. Throughout the trailer, two Barry Allens are moving through the events. Our Barry from the main timeline looks older and more experienced with his short hair, and a long-haired Barry looks younger and more inexperienced. His hair isn't the giveaway that fans will see; what is cluing us into Reverse Flash's presence is the yellow jacket and yellow headphones worn by long-haired Barry.

Eobard Thawne, AKA Reverse Flash, is a future speedster who comes back in time to face off against Barry Allen. Not only does he do it with similar powers, but his costume is virtually the same, with one significant difference. The costume is yellow. Since Zod is a villain for Superman and Supergirl, it would make sense that Reverse Flash would show up to give our protagonist an adversary in the film's final moments, not to mention staying faithful to the source material.