Michael Keaton recently honored his longtime collaborator, Tim Burton, by presenting him with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
During the ceremony, Keaton credited Burton for revolutionizing the superhero movie genre, leading to the massive success and profitability of today’s superhero films.
Reflecting on their work together, Keaton shared a personal story about how Burton took a significant risk in casting him as the lead in the 1989 blockbuster Batman. Following their successful collaboration on Beetlejuice, Burton handed Keaton the script for Batman and asked for his thoughts.
Keaton recalled being surprised by Burton’s decision to choose him for the iconic role, especially considering the stark contrast between the two films. “This is after Beetlejuice. After that performance. After that type of movie. He says to the studio, ‘I want that guy.’ I’ll never understand this why anyone cared,” Keaton said.
Michael Keaton also addressed the intense backlash that followed the casting announcement. At the time, the media and fans were outraged by the decision to cast Keaton, known primarily for his comedic roles, as the Dark Knight.
“The uproar…you would’ve thought we were being invaded. It was unbelievable. Despite the controversy, Burton remained steadfast in his choice. “The guts it took to stand by that decision will always be appreciated by me,” Michael Keaton added.
Earlier this year, in an interview with GQ, Keaton discussed the lasting impact of Burton’s decision. He credited Burton’s vision for redefining what superhero movies could be, setting the stage for the genre’s current dominance in Hollywood.
“What that [movie] spawned…there are a lot of people making a lot of money out there with their superhero movies because of his choice and his vision of what those movies could be, because he changed everything,” Keaton said.
As superhero movies continue to dominate the box office, Keaton’s words underscore the importance of Burton’s influence on the genre’s evolution.
