Marvel Studios has multi-movie contracts for all of their stars these days but back in the 90s we only saw Michael Keaton don the cape and cowl for two outings. These days that idea seems a bit ludicrous but not only was it a different time, but the concept was also unproven even with the smashing success of the first Tim Burton film. But what was the actual reason that Keaton decided not to return? The same reason that many weren’t fans of ‘Batman Forever‘ when Joel Schumacher replaced Tim Burton and introduced a, in retrospect, poorly cast Robin, Riddler, and Two-Face.
According to Keaton:
“[The film] just wasn’t any good, man. I tried to be patient, but after a certain point, I was like, I can’t take this any more, this is going to be horrible. But, look, there was some really horrible taste in the 90s, and I probably contributed to that, unfortunately. It was a time of nouveau riche excess — everyone was known for their jets and their stuff.”
Keaton will likely always be regarded as one of the best takes on Batman on screen. It surprised many before the film was released but the majority of those following the casting news of The Joker also felt that there was no way Heath Ledger could play the Clown Prince of Crime and not it seems unlikely that anyone else can fill his shoes.
Horrible writing aside, it also sounds that many of those involved with the first two films were no longer in the studio. The new guiding hands preferred to go flashier, and that gave us two films that made money but are now negatively remembered.
“And I thought, I’m in this job for the long run, I don’t want this. And the truth is, I’m not boasting, but I was correct. There are a whole load of people who ran things that are long gone.”
I’m sure the majority would agree that Keaton was correct for not reprising the role. I would have liked to see him play Batman and Bruce Wayne again, but not in that trainwreck of a movie.
Do you agree with Keaton’s choice for departing the ‘Batman’ franchise when he did or could he have redeemed Schumacher’s mess? Share your thoughts below!
Source: The Guardian
