If you’re a fan of the Caped Crusader, you’ve probably heard the rumors swirling around about Michael Keaton’s potential return to the role of Batman. Keaton first donned the iconic cowl in Tim Burton’s 1989 film, and later reprised the role in 1992’s Batman Returns. Now, over two decades later, there are whispers that Keaton may once again suit up as the Dark Knight.
What sparked the rumors?
The speculation about Keaton’s return began in June 2020, when it was reported that he was in talks to reprise his role as Batman/Bruce Wayne in the upcoming movie “The Flash.” The film is set to be directed by Andy Muschietti (“It,” “It Chapter Two”), with Ezra Miller returning as Barry Allen/The Flash.
While details about the plot of “The Flash” are still largely under wraps, it has been confirmed that it will explore the concept of DC Comics’ multiverse – a complex network of multiple parallel universes that allows for different versions of characters to coexist simultaneously. This means that different iterations of Batman (and other DC heroes) could theoretically appear in different universes within the same film.
What does Keaton have to say?
As of now, Michael Keaton himself has not confirmed or denied his involvement in “The Flash,” or any other future Batman projects. However, he has expressed enthusiasm for reprising the role in interviews over the years.
In a 2017 interview with Variety, Keaton said: ““You look at where [Batman] went after me..and then it went back to its roots pretty successfully.So I’m proud of those.”
He also revealed that he had met with Tim Burton (who directed both of his Batman films) regarding a potential third movie back in the early 2000s, but the project ultimately fell through.
What would Keaton’s Batman look like in 2021?
If Michael Keaton does indeed return as Batman, it’s likely that we’ll see a more seasoned and world-weary version of the character. In “Batman Returns,” Keaton’s Bruce Wayne was still relatively young and fresh-faced; now, over 30 years later, he would be playing a more mature version of the hero.
Additionally, it’s unclear whether Keaton’s Batman would exist in the same continuity as other recent DC films like “Justice League” and “Birds of Prey.” If he is indeed playing an alternate universe version of the character, there may be more creative freedom to explore different interpretations of the Dark Knight.
What does this mean for DC fans?
For fans of DC Comics and Batman in particular, Michael Keaton’s potential return to the role is certainly exciting news. Whether or not he appears in “The Flash,” the fact that there are discussions happening about his involvement in future projects shows that Warner Bros. is open to exploring different takes on their iconic characters.
As DC continues to build out its cinematic universe (which now includes standalone films like “Joker” and “Aquaman”), it will be interesting to see how they incorporate different versions of their heroes into their storytelling. Whether or not we see Michael Keaton donning the cowl once again remains to be seen – but for now, fans can speculate and dream about what a new era of Batman could look like with him at the helm.
- Conclusion: While nothing has been confirmed yet, rumors suggest that Michael Keaton may be returning to play Batman again after over two decades since his last appearance as the Caped Crusader. The speculation began after reports surfaced about his potential involvement in the upcoming “The Flash” movie.
Knowing that the film is set to explore DC Comics’ multiverse, it’s possible we could see Keaton playing an alternate universe version of Batman. For fans of DC Comics and Batman, this news is certainly exciting and opens up a world of possibilities for future projects.