Many believe that Tim Burton’s superhero films pioneered the modern-day comic-book movie craze. The 65-year-old director made two notable endeavors in the genre, featuring Michael Keaton’s rendition of the Caped Crusader in Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992). In addition, he nearly helmed a Superman film starring Nicolas Cage as the titular hero. Alas, the plug was pulled on the project.
Read also: One Canceled Nicolas Cage Superhero Movie Still Haunts Tim Burton
Many wondered why the filmmaker’s rendition of Batman and Keaton’s portrayal of the superhero was never reprised again. Although the actor’s iteration appeared recently in The Flash (2023), fans were intrigued by the prospect of a third Batman film under Burton’s direction. In a recent interview, the renowned animator revealed why exactly a third installment featuring Keaton’s Batman never came to fruition.
Tim Burton May Have Disappointed McDonald’s With Batman Returns (1992)
A third Batman film was in the plans. However, Batman Returns‘ reception may have had a hand in Warner Bros. not wanting to move forward with Tim Burton as the director. Instead, the plan for a third installment evolved into Joel Schumacher’s Batman Forever (1995). The studios’ desire for a more “family-friendly” and “merchandise-friendly” concept has been attributed to the director’s replacement. Keaton was slated to reprise his role as the titular hero. However, the actor reportedly lacked faith in Schumacher’s vision. Therefore, he didn’t return.
This might pique your curiosity. How awful was the reaction to the Tim Burton-directed second Caped Crusader adventure that Warner Bros. was uninterested in him directing its follow-up endeavor? Why would they replace him with Joel Schumacher?
It is believed that the film’s darker and violent themes and s*xual undertones proved disastrous. Many felt that this was why Batman Returns fell short of the original film’s success. The family audience felt disengaged. Many furious letters were written by worried parents condemning the movie’s content. The backlash was also directed at the project’s marketing partners. McDonald’s was one of them. The fast food conglomerate’s child-centered promotion of Burton’s movie (through Happy Meals and Toys) infuriated the masses.
Yeah. In a nutshell, it was a disaster. The parents weren’t lovin’ it.
So, Why Did A Third Tim Burton Batman Film Not Happen?
In a recent interview with the British Film Institute, the Corpse Bride alum was asked about his Batman collaboration with Michael Keaton. The interviewer questioned why the actor-director duo stopped at two movies instead of pursuing a third installment together. In response to this, Burton cheekily replied the following:
“Well, the studio, it was like the earlier Disney situation. They had enough of me for that one. I think I upset McDonald’s or something.”
Although The Flash was a box-office fumble (despite Keaton’s return as Batman stunning audiences and being one of the only wow factors of the film), it seems that Burton’s reluctance to reprise this rendition of the superhero is because he doesn’t want to disappoint the parents, Warner Bros., and McDonald’s again.
Times have changed, though. And Michael Keaton‘s Batman is an indelible part of superhero film history. Would wishing for a third movie even now lead to unattainable dreams? Nobody knows. For now, the Keaton-Burton duo will return with Beetlejuice 2 scheduled for a 6 September 2024 release.
Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992) are available for streaming on Max.
Source: BFI
