Tim Burton Explains Why He Chose Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne in 1989 Batman: “You Just Look In His Eyes…”
Michael Keaton may be the most controversial Batman actor of all time, but Director Tim Burton saw something special in him. Despite 50,000 protests to Warner Bros, Keaton was cast in the 1989 Batman film.
Before working on Batman, Burton and Keaton collaborated on Beetlejuice in 1988. However, it was Keaton’s energy that Burton believed made him perfect for the role of Batman.
Keaton credited Burton for his bold decision to cast him and claimed that Tim deserved credit for changing the superhero movie landscape. Keaton’s portrayal of Batman is still considered one of the best.
Burton saw Keaton in the 1988 drama Clean and Sober, which played a significant role in his casting. Thanks to Burton’s vision and instinct, Keaton succeeded as Wayne.
After Batman, Keaton reprised his role in Batman Returns, appeared in an unreleased Batgirl film, and had a cameo in The Flash. Now, the duo is reuniting for a Beetlejuice remake.
In the new Beetlejuice movie, Keaton will reprise his role as the erratic ghost, alongside Catherine O’Hara and Winona Ryder. The sequel will focus more on the story and less on Beetlejuice’s antics.
The highly anticipated sequel, also starring Jenna Ortega, will be released in theaters on September 6.