Michael Keaton On Why He is the Best Batman & Initial Fan Hate Over His Casting

Michael Keaton On Why He is the Best Batman & Initial Fan Hate Over His Casting

As a dedicated admirer of cinematic masterpieces, I wholeheartedly concur with Michael Keaton‘s assertion that he is, indeed, the best Batman. His portrayal of the Dark Knight set the standard for all future interpretations, and it’s hard to imagine anyone surpassing his performance in the iconic role.


According to recent statements made by Michael Keaton during a Q&A video for Wired, when asked directly, “Why are you considered the best Batman?

Without skipping a beat, Keaton casually faced the camera and quipped, “Yeah, that’s me.” Indeed, for numerous admirers, Keaton’s performance as Batman is tough to top. Whether it’s his historical significance as the first to play the character on the silver screen, the sentimental value attached to his portrayal of the character, or Tim Burton’s innovative blend of Gothic fantasy with the streets of Gotham City, it’s immaterial. The fact remains that many fans are likely to concur with Keaton’s brief remark.

Despite some doubts about his suitability for the role, Michael Keaton, known for his comedic roles, was a bold choice by Tim Burton to play Batman. In fact, prior to the release of Batman, Keaton faced criticism and negativity, as evident during his speech at Tim Burton’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony where he spoke about the backlash surrounding his initial casting.

I can’t fathom the reason for the excitement. It seemed like we were under attack, and yet people reacted as if it were a real invasion. It was astonishing. Journalists were in a frenzy. Yet, Burton remained by my side. The courage to stick with that decision will forever be admired by me.

Michael Keaton Defined the Role of Batman in a New Light

Michael Keaton On Why He is the Best Batman & Initial Fan Hate Over His CastingMichael Keaton On Why He is the Best Batman & Initial Fan Hate Over His CastingMichael Keaton On Why He is the Best Batman & Initial Fan Hate Over His CastingMichael Keaton On Why He is the Best Batman & Initial Fan Hate Over His Casting

Before the 1989 movie, the Caped Crusader had primarily appeared on TV, with Adam West portraying him in 120 episodes from 1966 to 1968. He also starred in a TV film that came out between the first two seasons of the show in 1966. However, West’s Batman was very much a product of its time. As the 1980s ended, the Batman who would hit the big screens globally was a more brooding, serious character, reflecting some of the darker comic book depictions of the character that emerged later.

Initially, Michael Keaton’s past roles might have led him to play Batman in a manner similar to Adam West. However, under Tim Burton’s guidance, they collaborated, along with an eccentrically wicked Jack Nicholson as the Joker, to establish a blueprint for all subsequent Batman films. Although the series veered off course into a cheesy, over-the-top direction in “Batman & Robin”, Christopher Nolan’s trilogy rectified this and produced a critically acclaimed Batman film, “The Dark Knight”, which is often considered one of the best Batman movies ever made.

Currently, fans are getting two interpretations of Batman, as Robert Pattinson’s gritty portrayal of Bruce Wayne is set to reappear in The Batman – Part II, releasing in 2026. On the other hand, James Gunn plans to introduce a new actor for his DCU narrative. It remains to be seen how this fresh talent will compare with Michael Keaton’s iconic movie Batman, but it seems that the new Bruce Wayne is quite certain he’ll continue to shine as the top caped crusader, regardless of any future actors stepping into the role.

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2024-09-08 04:06