One of the best remembered Batman films in DC happens to be Michael Keaton’s 1989 movie, Batman, directed by Tim Burton and featuring one of the most iconic Joker renditions to date, that of Jack Nicholson’s. However, the film served merely as a duology (with Batman Returns in 1992) under Burton’s vision and macabre direction. Now, more than 30 years later, Michael Keaton is set to don his cape and cowl and make a comeback in the DC Extended Universe as the Dark Knight.
Related article: The Flash: Michael Keaton’s Batman To Don a Blue Batsuit
Michael Keaton Pioneers in Both MCU and DCEU
The child of both worlds, Michael Keaton is one of the select few who has stepped foot in both worlds and delivered a startling and unforgettable performance. He was one of the first impressionable live-action Batman and established the dark hero as a staple in the cinematic landscape.
The Burtonverse was quickly followed by the Joel Schumacher era and Keaton was not to be seen in his iconic role in DC again. However, the current DC Extended Universe is not one to let go of such an incredible opportunity and has definitively declared the revival of Keaton as the Caped Crusader in DCEU’s The Flash in 2023.
The actor has also starred as the iconic and never before featured live-action villain, Adrian Toomes aka the Vulture in the MCU Phase Three film, Spider-Man: Homecoming. His character then went on to appear in several Marvel film post-credits (such as Venom 2 and Morbius) thus establishing the villain as one of Spider-Man’s archnemesis.
Also read: All the Plot Holes Created By Morbius Post-Credits Scene, Ranked
Michael Keaton Reveals Why He Never Watched MCU Films
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has established itself as one of a kind entity. It is not only the biggest Hollywood franchise to date but has also become the strongest competitor of the DCEU and Lucasfilm universe. The franchise holds in its palm the most extensive and dedicated fanbase in the world and is yet to scratch the surface of the visionary plan it is set to conquer.
Related article: ‘Go F*ck Yourself’: Tim Burton Expresses Extreme Displeasure For WB Letting Joel Schumacher Ruin Batman
However, all of the fanfare and ruckus surrounding the famed MCU is not enough to swerve Keaton’s opinion in favor of watching a fully formulated Marvel film. He revealed that after the first Batman, he never watched a comic book movie and didn’t belong to the “zeitgeist of that whole world”. The actor recently revealed why.
“I know people don’t believe this, that I’ve never seen an entire version of any of those movies — any Marvel movie, any other. And I don’t say that I don’t watch that because I’m highbrow — trust me! It’s not that… It’s just that there’s very little things I watch. I start watching something and think it is great, and I watch three episodes, but I have other shit to do!”
Michael Keaton will be seen next on DCEU’s The Flash which premieres on 23 June 2023.
Source: Variety
