Michael Keaton talks about Tim Burton’s “courageous” move to cast him as Batman

While Michael Keaton is considered one of the best versions of Batman, when he was first cast in the role, fans were in an uproar. During a recent interview with GQ, Keaton reflected Tim Burtonto cast him as the Caped Crusader in the DC film and called the move “courageous.” Keaton said:

“When they said, ‘We’re thinking about making Batman,’ I said, ‘Wait, you’re going to make a Batman movie?’ Yes, there was Superman, but that’s Superman, made by Dick Donner, who was really, really good. Very charming, actually. And Chris Reeve was great, and he had humor, and it was like, you know…

“So, the fact that Tim said, ‘That guy. I want that guy.’ Like, why people cared so much one way or the other is still baffling. But, still, it was a brave move on his part. And we also had a nice working relationship, you know, with Beetlejuice, so I think he felt that and I would get along well. You know, we work well together.”

Tim Burton obviously saw something special in Keaton and knew he would be great as Bruce Wayne/Batman. It must have been that crazy twinkle in Keaton’s eyes. Keaton was aware of the backlash, but this was a time when social media didn’t exist, so it was easier to avoid it.

Later in the interview, Keaton talked about how Jack Nicholson he was shocked that he had undertaken a rigorous exercise regime to physically transform into the Caped Crusader. Keaton explained that he realized that if he lost weight, he would have more “room to breathe” in the Batman costume.

Burton made a great decision in casting Keaton as Batman. It’s a shame we will never get to see his Batman Beyond version of the character. That project was scrapped when James Gunn took control of DC Studios.