As a gamer who grew up in the golden age of superhero movies, I can wholeheartedly agree with Michael Keaton‘s sentiments about Tim Burton’s groundbreaking influence on the genre. Being a child of the ’90s, Batman was my gateway drug into the world of comic book adaptations, and Keaton’s performance under Burton’s vision was nothing short of transformative.
Discussions among enthusiasts who closely follow all upcoming superhero films have been ongoing about who deserves recognition for sparking the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Some fans believe it started with the X-Men movies from Fox, while others argue that Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy (or even the 1998 Blade film) laid the foundation for the multiverse. However, Michael Keaton suggests that without Tim Burton’s distinctive approach during their Batman collaboration, this entire phenomenon might never have occurred. Although it’s a strong assertion, I can understand why the actor from Night Shift might think so.
In a recent conversation with GQ, Michael Keaton expressed some surprising views on Tim Burton’s influence on the entire superhero movie genre. Discussing his legendary role in the 1989 Batman film and its sequel Batman Returns from 1992, Keaton pointed out that Burton’s decision to cast him – an uncommon choice at the time – reshaped the comic book adaptation world. According to Keaton, Burton paved the way for everything that came after, not only for DC Comics but also for Marvel’s Cinematic Universe. In his words:
Tim should receive immense recognition, as he revolutionized the landscape completely. It’s hard to express this exactly, but it’s plausible that we might not have the Marvel or DC universes as we know them today without Tim Burton. Despite facing skepticism and questions, he persevered.
The remarks made by the main actor underscore Burton’s innovative strategies and unconventional mindset, which played a crucial role in propelling his career with hilarious cult classics such as “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure”. It’s not just about how his distinctive, dark, and eerie style clashed with Adam West’s Batman and the “Superman” series. Instead, it emphasizes a unique blend of creativity that set him apart from these more conventional productions.
It came as quite a surprise when Burton selected the actor from “Mr. Mom” to put on the Batman suit. Back then, before social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook, approximately 50,000 dedicated comic book enthusiasts wrote letters to Warner Bros. to voice their disapproval. Keaton, who wasn’t particularly interested in comics at that time, didn’t fully understand the uproar back then. However, with the passage of years and reflection, he now views Burton’s decision from a completely different perspective. He went on to say:
As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but feel that he deserves more recognition for the moment when people asked, “Wasn’t that Michael Burton from Beetlejuice?” But upon reflection, it seems Tim made this connection after watching Clean and Sober. It was a brave decision on his part, one that perhaps didn’t receive as much praise as it should have.
Choosing Keaton, who displayed a drastic shift from his typical comedic characters in the film “Clean and Sober,” proved to be a daring decision that infused Batman with nuanced depth and intricate complexity, while also injecting a touch of dry humor into the character.
As a long-time fan of Tim Burton’s unique and imaginative filmmaking style, I firmly believe that his innovative approach to superhero casting has left an indelible mark on the genre. With his groundbreaking choices for Batman and Beetlejuice, he demonstrated that actors known primarily for lighter fare could bring depth and nuance to iconic roles.
In essence, it could be stated that if Burton hadn’t included a Taxi cab driver (Penguin) in his sequel, we possibly wouldn’t have Chris Pratt in the Guardians of the Galaxy series, nor Paul Rudd as Ant-Man.
Michael Keaton has great respect for Tim Burton, a feeling that’s clear from their many projects together throughout the years. Their latest joint effort is the much-anticipated “Beetlejuice 2,” where Keaton once more plays the role of the mischievous “Ghost with the Most.” This long-awaited sequel, in development for nearly four decades, is slated to grace the 2024 movie calendar on September 6.
With a Max subscription, fans can revisit Michael Keaton’s memorable characters from Burton’s movies, including his portrayal of the caped crusader in Batman, and his role as the eccentric character in Beetlejuice from the freak show, all in one place.
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2024-08-25 23:07