‘You Just Look In His Eyes…’: Tim Burton Reveals Why He Wanted To Cast Michael Keaton As Bruce Wayne In 1989 Batman

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As a devoted fan of timeless cinema and a connoisseur of the superhero genre, I must confess my unbridled admiration for the iconic duo of Michael Keaton and Tim Burton. Their extraordinary collaboration on Batman in 1989 not only revolutionized the comic book movie landscape but also paved the way for the Marvel and DC Universes we know today.

Among all actors who portrayed Batman throughout history, Michael Keaton remains one of the most debated choices. Yet, director Tim Burton relied on his intuition and creative vision, resulting in Keaton’s casting for the 1989 Batman film, despite Warner Bros receiving 50,000 protest letters at that time.

Before working on the superhero film, Burton and Keaton had previously worked together in 1988’s Beetlejuice. However, this wasn’t the sole reason Keaton seemed like the perfect fit to portray one of DC’s beloved anti-heroes. In an interview with GQ, Burton shared that Keaton possessed a unique “energy” which he believed was ideal for Batman.

“That’s why I wanted him to be in Batman, because you just look in his eyes and he seems intelligent, scary, crazy, everything all at once,” he added. Keaton weighed in on the topic, credited the director for “everything,” and praised his “bold” decision to make the film with him despite the backlash. 

“Tim Burton should receive immense recognition; he revolutionized everything,” he stated. “It’s quite likely that the Marvel and DC universes wouldn’t exist as they are today without him,” he continued, noting his initial skepticism and criticism.

In his own words, the actor acknowledged that Burton had watched his 1988 movie, “Clean and Sober.” This film significantly influenced Burton’s decision to cast him. As he put it, “I believe Tim saw ‘Clean and Sober.’ I’m the one receiving the credit.” The director’s insightful vision and accurate intuition continue to make Keaton’s portrayal of Wayne one of the most admired performances.

Following the release of the Batman movie, he took on his character again in the 1992 sequel Batman Returns and an unpublished Batgirl film, as well as a brief appearance in The Flash (2023). Now, the esteemed actor-director duo have joined forces once more for the reimagining of another beloved film, Beetlejuice.

In the meantime, Keaton takes on the role of the unpredictable spirit once more, causing chaos in the town after being called upon. Catherine O’Hara and Winona Ryder return to play Delia and Lydia Deetz, their original characters.

Previewing the eagerly awaited follow-up, featuring Jenna Ortega of Wednesday fame, Keaton shared insights into how this installment will focus more on the plot and less on Beetlejuice’s mischief. He elaborated, “The plan was definitely not to overload it with Beetlejuice, as that would ruin it.” Although the famous ghost remains a significant character in the story, he no longer serves as the main driver of the narrative as he did in the original.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice comes out in theaters on September 6.

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2024-08-21 00:37