Michael Keaton Really Is Back As Batman, But There’s Bad News Too
Now that Michael Keaton has once again been confirmed 100% that he will be returning to his Dark Kn
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Now that Michael Keaton has once again been confirmed 100% that he will be returning to his Dark Knight persona, we are finally beginning to get a hint of what that will entail.
Michael Keaton’s surprising return as Batman/Bruce Wayne comes in the Andy Muschietti-directed The Flash movie, which will also see Ben Affleck return as the Caped Crusader from a separate timeline. While Keaton recently cast some doubt as to his involvement, we have now learned that his Batman may be more of a mentor than anything, and seeing him in costume much may not be in the cards.
According to WGTC Michael Keaton will take on a Nick Fury-like role within the DCEU and his version of Batman will have him take Barbara Gordon and possibly Terry McGinnis under his wing. As you know, Barbara Gordon takes on the moniker of Batgirl while Terry McGinnis is an Amanda Waller creation stemming from her desire to have a new Batman ready when Bruce Wayne is either too old to handle Batman duties or dies while fighting crime.
It makes sense if you think about it. Michael Keaton will be turning 70 this year and his Batman might be a little long in the tooth, thus leaving him in the mentor role. But never say never when it comes to Keaton and wearing his iconic Batman suit. Muschietti wouldn’t do us dirty that way, would he?
Whether Michael Keaton was being coy or not, he appeared to not have fully committed to his return as Bruce Wayne. In an interview with Comicbook, Keaton seemed to be back-peddling, though for a specific reason. “I am needing a minute to think about it because I’m so fortunate and blessed, I got so much going on now. I’m really into work right now. I don’t know why, but I am, and so, yeah, I mean, you know, to tell you the truth, somewhere on my iPad is an iteration of the whole Flash thing that I haven’t had time yet.”
Michael Keaton went on to explain that with as busy as his schedule had become (he’s been working on the Hulu series Dopesick) that he hasn’t had time to even look at the latest draft of The Flash script that had been sent to him. He then said, “So, yeah, there is that. I’m not being cute or coy. If I talked about [Batman], I’ll be just bullshitting you. I don’t really know. I have to look at the last draft.”
He did finally get to the truth of the matter as it affects him. His biggest worry, as with many, was COVID. “I’m more concerned. I keep my eye more on the Covid situation in the UK than anything.” Michael Keaton is talking about where The Flash will be filming at the Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden.
“That will determine everything, and so that’s why I’m living outside the city here on 17 acres, staying away from everybody, because the Covid thing has got me really concerned. So, that’s my first thing about all projects. I look at it and go, is this thing going to kill me, literally? And you know, if it doesn’t, then we talk.” Apparently, Michael Keaton’s fears have been put to rest because he is now 100% in as filming is now underway in England.
This brings us to both Michael Keaton and Affleck’s future as the Caped Crusader. Affleck has turned into a fan favorite in the role when he appeared as Batman first in 2016s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, then followed that up the same year with a cameo in The Suicide Squad. Affleck then reprised his role for the 2017 Justice League and its 2021 recut. But his involvement in any future Batman projects after The Flash is an unknown, especially given the fact that Warner Bros. Walter Hamada claims that Keaton will be leading the way as Batman in the future.
As for Michael Keaton, it will be nearly 30 years since he famously last wore the cape and cowl. He first wore it in Tim Burton’s 1989 classic Batman, then again for the last time in Burton’s sequel, Batman Returns. While there still remains a big question mark if Keaton will once again don the Batsuit just knowing he is involved playing a character he made famous 30 years ago is exciting in its own right.
We will get our answers come November 4, 2022, when The Flash is scheduled to hit movie theaters.
