Michael Keaton is one of the most popular actors in the entertainment industry. The star is known for his excellent performances in numerous movies. He has received several accolades including Primetime Emmy Award and two Golden Globe Awards. He was also nominated for Academy Award and a BAFTA. Among the plethora of characters played by him, the Batman role is most appreciated and remembered by fans.
In an interview, director Tim Burton reveals the reason, which makes Michael Keaton one of the most loved comic book heroes.
Tim Burton reveals the best aspect of Michael Keaton’s Batman
In an interview with Variety, Michael Keaton talked in detail about all his films in his vast career graph. The actor shared the reason why filmmaker Tim Burton chose him to play the role of Batman in his movies. Keaton played the character of Bruce Wayne in 1989’s Batman and 1992’s Batman Returns.
Tim Burton had once shared that the secret was Michael Keaton’s eyes. He said,
“That’s the thing I thought made him perfect for Batman,”
“They’re piercing, they’re penetrating, they’re crazy. He’s got a lot of things going on in his eyes at one time.”
Tim Burton had earlier worked with the actor in the film Beetlejuice and wanted to create a sequel to the film with Keaton.
Beetlejuice was a 1988 American fantasy horror comedy film, featuring Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Jeffrey Jones, Catherine O’Hara, and Winona Ryder. Michael Keaton played the titular character of Beetlejuice, an obnoxious and wily bio-exorcist from the Netherworld. He was hired to scare away ghosts from a haunted house. There are talks about the sequel of the film recently.
Michael Keaton once refused to work in his most popular Batman franchise
With the success of his two Batman movies, the actor attained global fame and reputation. The star was getting lots of lucrative offers, which made it difficult for him to choose the best suited for him.
As per reports, Keaton was given the lead role in 1995’s Batman Forever, for which he was offered a massive pay of $15 million. However, the actor turned down the grand opportunity. At that time, he had gained a reputation for turning down lucrative offers. He shared in the interview,
“I used to say no to almost everything, because I thought, I’ve got enough dough, I know what I want to do, and I know what I’m capable of.”
“It’s really like saying, ‘I’m going to make you throw me my pitch. I’ll foul a bunch off, but ultimately I have faith that somebody’s going to throw me my pitch.’”
Val Kilmer landed the role of Bruce Wayne in Batman Forever, with Jim Carrey as the villain, The Riddler.
Michael Keaton reprised his role as Batman in DCEU’s latest film, The Flash. He is seen collaborating with Ben Affleck’s Batman and Ezra Miller’s Flash to save the universe.
1992’s Batman is available for streaming on Apple TV.
Also read- Michael Keaton Goes Viral for Breaking Batman Legend Adam West’s Record in $220M ‘The Flash’
Source- Variety