When you think back to Tim Burton’s 1989 Batman, you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who has a bad word to say about the film. It defined a gothic era of the Dark Knight, inspired Batman: The Animated Series, and revived interest in comic book movies when the genre seemed all but dead and buried.
Not only was it the blockbuster of the year, but it also gave us the equally impressive sequel Batman Returns in 1992. Sadly, Michael Keaton dropped the cowl soon afterwards and Burton traded the director’s chair for the producer’s hat. What followed is a dark period in comic book movie history and is best forgotten. Do you really want to think of Bat-nipples right now?
With so much unexplored potential, wouldn’t it make sense to revisit this era? Naturally, most of the actors may be a little wrinkled around the lips—and some have sadly passed—to play the characters on the big screen again, but there are other creative ways to revisit this fabled time.
Rejected Comic Book Series
Last year, Joe Quinones revealed on his blog the failed pitch that he and Kate Leth proposed to DC Comics in 2015. Inspired by the Batman ’66 comic book series, they suggested something similar for Batman ’89, which would’ve taken place after the events of Batman Returns.
Quinones revealed how Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman would’ve returned and how they planned on introducing characters like Billy Dee Williams’ Two-Face, Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn and Barbara Gordon/Batgirl throughout the miniseries. The concept sketches looked spot-on and extremely Burton-esque, but unfortunately DC decided against it for an unknown reason. Considering the proof of concept and how a story’s already planned, why not actually do it? Hey, if DC can allow Kevin Smith to create a stupid character called Onomatopoeia, surely it can allow the continuation of this franchise, right?
Return of the Caped Crusaders
Recently, we were treated to a trip back in time to Batman’66 in Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders. While it may appear to be purely for nostalgic reasons, the film’s rather good and beautifully captured the camp and fun of the original series. The critics loved it, the fans adored it, and it allowed everyone to celebrate the series’ 50th anniversary.
Now, imagine we did the same with Batman ’89 in, say, 2019? It would be the perfect gift for long-time Dark Knight fans and all those who still wave the flag for Burton’s Bat. Heck, while they’re at it, chuck in Nicolas Cage as Superman as well to show us the result of one of the craziest ideas in Hollywood. If anything, it’ll be a good reminder of what could’ve happened in the mid-to-late 90s and be the ultimate fan service.
Removing the Bitter Taste of Batman Forever and Batman & Robin
Burton’s Batman will always be tainted by the legacy of Batman Forever and Batman & Robin. While not created by him per se, they are considered direct sequels to his films. It’s a shame that these blemishes are a part of history, and I’m sure Burton wishes to forget they exist, too.
Even though he can’t go back in time and helm the follow-ups, there’s the opportunity for DC to course correct in a way and give us a much-wondered “what if” storyline. Who wouldn’t want to see other Burtonverse stories and experience more of Keaton’s Batman? If Batman ’66 can still remain popular and relevant in 2017, I see no reason why Batman ’89 should be ignored, either. In whichever form or medium it chooses to exist, this is one iteration of the Caped Crusader that needs to make a comeback.
Would you like the return of Batman ’89 as an animated film or ongoing comic book series? Let us know in the comments section below.
Images from THEartistt95 and Joe Quinones.
Hell yes!
Hell yes!
Oh HELL YES!
no. it was complete garbage compared to anything of actual batman comics.
The moonlight is pale, let’s dance with the devil!
Will totally watch that
Love the idea! Yes!
Boohoo
Chauncey Snookchaos Chesterfield
I’ll preorder 10 copies!
Yes!
If they make it, I will watch.
I would want that yes.
Animated film, voice cast from Batman and returns. Do it
Only if Jerry Ordway does the artwork.
Absolutely freaking lootly! Love love love 89 batman
’89 rules
Umm, duh, YES! This town needs enema!
It will be another day in paradise!
Hell yeah that would be awesome I figured some day micheal Keaton would return as Batman n a BATMAN BEYOND MOVIE
Both an animated film and comic would be awesome!
Joscar Jong
Bring it!!! That would be awesomeness
I would like BOTH please
Please please please! I would love for this to happen! Michael Keaton is my favorite Batman! Please make this happen!!!
YES!! But only if Michael Keaton himself voices Batman/Bruce Wayne and they get as many of the original actors as they can to voice the characters they played at that time! Pleeease! :)
DC: DO IT!!!
Sign me up :)
Still the best on screen Batman and Joker.
Would love this.
I would actually love it if they did make a movie or comic series cause I’m a big fan of the movies
Absolutely! I was in college at that time and live that era. Batman was the biggest thing to look forward to in the biggest blockbuster at that time next to Star Wars! Bring it back as a cartoon absolutely! If you get Michael Keaton on board it would be a massive hit :-)
Any excuse to see the Anton Furst designed Batmobile and Keaton do e the cowl agai and I’m in.
Rae Lakey what choo think!
Russ Shanks Hey Do You Remember
Good job…
I wait for superman too
Heck yes I would.
Anything will be better than Batfleck
Big 89 fan so an animated movie is a must.
Yes animate that thing!
Only if Kevin Conroy is involved.
Not gonna lie, I would have bought that comic.
I think I’m one of the 8 people on earth who wasn’t a fan of Keaton’s Batman. The 89 film was good, but then they killed the Joker. And then the sequel killed the Penguin who looked more like a circus freak than a super-villain. (What was with the black crap coming out of his mouth all the time?) Burton had a good vision but I would have preferred different actors. He passed over Willem Dafoe and that was a mistake for Joker. But again – I’m in the very small minority here.
Willem HAS to play Joker at some point. He’s still the most obvious and perfect choice that I cant fathom how it hasn’t happened yet.
Guess Sony had him sign a deal where he wouldn’t work for a competitor after he played Norman Osborn- but that had to expire by now
The movies did, I’m sure the contract has as well. Although I’m thinking he has an undisclosed role in Aquaman does he not?
Yes and maybe keaton can do the voice.
Not for me, thanks.
Jessica
Yes, Keaton was the best on screen Batman. Loved the first 2 Burton flicks.
Needs to happen right now!
I liked the movies for their dark and gritty tone (even as a kid I felt they brought the realism of the comics to life). I never did understand the killing of the Joker and Penguin though. Bob Kane loved what Burton had done, and when he visited the set during filming, he said to the extent of, “Finally, my vision of Batman has come to life.” (He hated Robin, but DC made him turn Batman into a father figure when they learned how many young boys were reading the comics, and he hated the cartoony 1966 series too).
CARROT-TOP AS BATMAN!!!!!!
let’s see, there’s a Batman `66 comic series, a Wonder Woman `77 comic series, so why not a Batman `89 comic series or a stand alone movie like so many Batman stand alone animated movies that weren’t part of a series either.
If Tim Burton writes it and they do it in stop motion puppets.
Yes, I would absolutely love to see a Michael Keaton Batman Dark Knight Animated Series. I am a Batman toy collector and I definitely want a much better toy line for the Michael Keaton Batman saga, better than the junk that Kenner and Toy Biz released in 1989-1992. I want a Michael Keaton Batmobile for action figures that is a 2-seater. I want an extended line of action figures released with the characters that we have never had before.
No
Damien McDevitt animated or live action?
And mark hamel voicing joker
I’d be happy with either.
True! I also wish they did a Batman 89 like the Batman tv show continued in comic book form
That’d be pretty sweet. Maybe even a 4 issue miniseries to test the waters.
Apparently there’s a pitch about it that 2 writers took to DC
Not a bad idea
With Jack Nicholson as Joker that would be cool
Nice!
let’sget nuts !!
Joly Norgate I’d watch the shit out of this.
This and an animated version of ‘Superman Lives’ both need to happen.
Come on, do it! DO IT NOW, COME ON!!!
Ooooo fuck yeah
That would be awesome
that would be awesome but would he do it
Keaton is the most overrated Batman
Oh now that would be awesome! But let keaton voice it, I’m sure he’d do it!
Yes and in the suit he intended for it.
As long as he is in the suit that was made for it.
maybe
I’d see that
Joker’s dead in the Burton movies, but if he was to return it’d be Jack Nicholson.
would be far better than batman and Harley Quinn that just came out and the other one that’s going to be coming out next. I hate “campy” batman
Could they get Keaton to voice animation? That would be the hardest challenge!
We really do! Still my fav Batman movie!
Cool idea
Brandon do you got this video?
I got the movie
And billy Dee Williams as two face ?
That would be great
Make a 3rd season of justice league unlimited instead
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES… Did I make my point clear ?
This is a fantastic idea.
That would be awesome
I support it and have a story idea. Billy dee williams and Tommy lee jones. Two face vs two face!
Burtons Batman was to good to just leave it alone. I’ve been saying for years they should make an animated movie or comicbook continuing the keaton / Burton inspired Batman.
Hell YES!
Keaton was, is, and always will be the definitive Bruce Wayne / Batman. He started it all, the posers after him are just riding his cape scallops. There hasn’t been an actor yet who can pull off both Bruce & Batman, as Keaton has done twice…NO ONE!
If D.C. and Warner Bros. Were smart, they would green light this asap! It’s a fucking no brainer! It without a doubt, will be a huge money maker. So, if nothing else, they should look at it from a financial point of view.
just maybe
As much as I would love this (comics or movie), I have to disagree with you about BR. That movie was just as awful as the two that followed. I look at 89 as a standalone.
Also, as much as I love the first one, plenty of people say bad things about it. I’m not in that boat; even though it has its flaws, I love it for what it is. And it was my proper introduction to the character.
hell yeah
He’s done Jack Frost & Cars , Toy Story so him doing it isn’t the hard part . But what’s it going to take to get him to do it . There lies the challenge.
Brandon good?