Whether it was as Bruce Wayne or the masked vigilante, Michael Keaton mesmerised in both Batman and Batman Returns. Even all these years later, fans continue to debate who the best Batman is. Zack Snyder and his fans believe Ben Affleck is. And sure, he looked the part and pulled off some neat tricks, but here’s the thing: He was no Michael Keaton. In case you need to remind yourself of how good he actually was, here are six reasons.
Michael Keaton Turned The Hate Around
While everyone knows the internet is full of crybabies who complain about every single comic book movie casting, it was just as bad when Michael Keaton was announced as Batman as 50,000 protest letters were sent to the Warner Bros. offices. Remember, at that point in time, Keaton was renowned mostly for his comedic work, coming off Beetlejuice.
Well, he crushed the role. After Batman was released, every doubter ate their hat because he proved everyone wrong and turned perceptions around. While Affleck undoubtedly did something similar with Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, he isn’t as widely revered as Keaton was by the fandom, with question marks over his final appearance in The Flash.
That is just one reason why Michael Keaton is still the best Batman.
Acting Ability Trumps Looks
If you think about all the actors who have portrayed Batman, Michael Keaton probably looked the least like the comic book version of the character. He’s not what you’d term a traditional good-looking leading man, nor did he have the physical stature to convince anyone that he could take down a host of bad guys.
His acting ability, however, made us believe that he was Batman. He didn’t need all of those things to be successful in the role because he convinced us through his talent and portrayal on screen. It’s a lesson for us in terms of whoever is cast as Batman next; let’s not judge based on appearance but on talent. After all, it’s called acting for a reason.
Michael Keaton Respects The Batman Role
The most annoying thing about actors is how they sometimes denigrate their time in comic book movie roles. They almost laugh it off as a silly period in their lives and how they’ve gone on to achieve bigger and better things since then. Bitch, please, you took the paycheck and loved it.
In Keaton’s case, he still talks about it as an extraordinary time in his life. While he admits he was hesitant to take the part at first and all the attention it brought, he looks back on his time rather fondly. Heck, even when he was cast as Vulture in Spider-Man: Homecoming, he still spoke about his time in the cape and cowl.
Lest we forget, Michael Keaton still reminds everyone that he is Batman.
He Walked Away At The Right Time
After Tim Burton walked away from Batman Forever, Keaton did the same out of principle. He showed his loyalty to the director who turned him into a global superstar. He’s gone on record to state that he didn’t believe in the script or what Warner Bros. wanted to do with the character.
If you look at other actors who’ve portrayed the Dark Knight, most didn’t have the guts to say, “Nah, this isn’t what I signed up for.” Keaton could’ve easily taken a nice payday, but he chose to do the honourable thing instead. That takes fortitude.
Chemistry With Co-Stars
Whether it’s his on-screen time with Kim Basinger’s Vicki Vale, Jack Nicholson’s Joker, Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman, Danny DeVito’s Penguin, or even Michael Gough’s Alfred, Keaton had chemistry with everyone he interacted with in his two movies.
It’s rare for an actor to click with everyone in a production, but Keaton made every relationship that much more believable. Whatever emotion he needed to convey, he conveyed it, and we bought it as authentic.
People Still Want Michael Keaton As Batman
It’s a testament to his popularity that his name is still mentioned as the character 30 years after he appeared in the first film. He defined a generation of Batman and you could say it was his set of movies that rejuvenated comic book movies. To this day, many fans pray for a Batman Beyond film, where Keaton will be cast as the older Bruce Wayne.
Think about it: You never hear a large group of fans clamouring for Val Kilmer, George Clooney, or Christian Bale to come back to the Batcave. Yet, you’ll always see Keaton’s name being mentioned in terms of anything Batman-related. I’ll say it again: Michael Keaton is still the best Batman.
RELATED: Batman Continues: The Troubled Story of Tim Burton’s Third Batman Film
Tell us, do you think Michael Keaton was the best Batman ever?
Batman (1989) |
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The Dark Knight of Gotham City begins his war on crime with his first major enemy being Jack Napier, a criminal who becomes the clownishly homicidal Joker. |
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| Studio: Warner Bros., Guber-Peters Company, PolyGram Pictures |
| Running Time: 126 minutes |
| Release Date: June 23, 1989 |
| Cast: Jack Nicholson, Michael Keaton, Kim Basinger, Robert Wuhl, Pat Hingle, Billy Dee Williams, Michael Gough, Jack Palance |
| Director: Tim Burton |
| Writers: Sam Hamm, Warren Skaaren |
| Genre: Action, Adventure, Superhero |
| Box Office: $411.6 million |
