10 Best Michael Keaton Performances
3. Batman/Bruce Wayne
The reason that Keaton is back in the headlines recently is the news that he will be returning to the role of the Caped Crusader. In Batman '89 and Batman Returns, Keaton brought a quiet intensity to the role that, initially, no one expected.
Now, Keaton's Batman is easily one of the best portrayals of the character on the big screen. At the time, people cried foul when this comedic actor was given the role. Really? they asked. The guy from Beetlejuice as Bruce Wayne?
One can only imagine, if there were a 'comments section' at the time, the furor it would have caused.
When the first film was released, Keaton faced off against Jack Nicholson and absolutely blew the role out of the water. He was instantly iconic, catapulting Batman into the gritty noir style that the comics had been edging into thanks to Neal Adams and Frank Miller. The first film was a smash hit and the creative team were invited back to make a sequel.
Batman Returns not only expands on the lore of the first film, but also delivers iconic characters in the form of Michelle Pfieffer's Catwoman and Danny deVito's Penguin. It was dark - much darker than the studio had been prepared for, which resulted in Burton not being asked to make a third film.
For many years, Keaton's Bruce Wayne WAS Batman. Christian Bale is on par in terms of what he brings to the role, though for this author - Michael Keaton will always be the Dark Knight.
Bring on the Flash movie!