As a gamer with a deep-rooted love for Batman and a penchant for unconventional choices, I find myself in complete agreement with Tim Burton’s decision to cast Michael Keaton as the Caped Crusader. Having grown up watching Keaton’s comedic roles, I too was initially skeptical when he was announced as the new Batman. But, like a well-timed critical hit in an RPG, that look in Keaton’s eyes, as Burton so eloquently put it, changed everything.
Michael Keaton wasn’t the initial live-action Batman actor, yet he initiated the DC Comics hero’s blockbuster film career. Over three decades later, he continues to be among the top-rated Batman actors, often ranked second or first, depending on who you talk to. However, director Tim Burton’s choice of Keaton for the iconic role in 1989’s “Batman” might surprise you. Lately, Burton disclosed his main reason for casting Keaton, and it differs significantly from what one would expect.
In the past few weeks, Burton and Keaton have been in the spotlight due to their latest project, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, marking their fifth collaboration. This film is currently scheduled for release in 2024. During an interview with The New York Times about this sequel to the 1988 original, Burton explained why Keaton was the right choice to play Batman back then:
In other words, when you see Michael in Beetlejuice or Batman, he has an unusual look in his eye. That’s why I thought he would make a great Batman, because when you look at him, it feels like he’s exactly the type of person who would wear a bat costume. There’s something about his eyes that suggests intelligence, humor, danger, and a touch of madness. Does that clarify things for you?
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At the point when Michael Keaton was chosen to play Batman, he was primarily recognized for his work in comedy. Despite the fact that he and Tim Burton had collaborated previously on Beetlejuice, Keaton was portraying a witty “bio-exorcist” in that film, and the audience also remembered him from 1983’s Mr. Mom. Casting him to bring Bruce Wayne to life was an unconventional choice, and many comic book fans were unhappy with this decision, going so far as to write protest letters to Warner Bros. Pictures.
From Tim Burton’s point of view, the look in Keaton’s eyes was powerful enough for him to continue the live-action Batman legacy following Adam West, and upon reflection, I can comprehend his reasoning. Notably, 1989’s Batman depicted a grittier take on DC Comics’ Batman lore compared to the campy TV show and its 1966 film counterpart. Burton believed that Keaton’s eyes hinted at the complexities of this Gotham City vigilante, a character who leads a double life as a wealthy playboy. While it is not rational, Batman’s disturbed mental state serves a purpose in the story, unlike Jack Nicholson’s Joker character in Burton’s first Batman film, where his madness was destructive rather than constructive.
You can stream movies like “Batman,” “Batman Returns,” and Michael Keaton’s recent portrayal of Batman in “The Flash” with a Max subscription. Additionally, Keaton reprised his role as the Dark Knight of Gotham City in “Batgirl,” but unfortunately, its release has been postponed from the upcoming DC film lineup, so we won’t get to witness his performance in this fourth DC movie. However, given the enduring popularity of this Batman portrayal over the years, fans can be grateful that Tim Burton had a keen eye for recognizing Keaton’s capabilities… I guess it’s time for me to leave now.
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2024-09-09 01:07