Michael Keaton’s perspective on ‘Batgirl’ and his Hollywood journey
A surprising reaction to ‘Batgirl’ cancellation
Michael Keaton, the iconic actor known for his portrayal of Batman, recently shared his thoughts on the unexpected shelving of the film Batgirl. The movie, which had a budget of $90 million, was already completed and in post-production when Warner Bros. decided to scrap its release in August 2022. This decision, driven by cost-cutting measures, sent shockwaves through the industry.
When asked about his feelings regarding the film’s cancellation, Keaton’s response was surprisingly nonchalant. “No, I didn’t care one way or another. Big, fun, nice check,” he said, while making the universal gesture for money. This reaction might seem unexpected to some, but it aligns with Keaton’s pragmatic approach to his career.
A nod to the directors
Despite his indifference to the film’s fate, Keaton expressed genuine affection for Batgirl directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah. “I like those boys. They’re nice guys,” he said. “I pull for them. I want them to succeed, and I think they felt very badly, and that made me feel bad. Me? I’m good.”
This sentiment highlights Keaton’s supportive nature and his desire to see his colleagues succeed, even if the project they worked on together never sees the light of day.
The return of Bruce Wayne
Batgirl was one of two major comic book films that were set to mark Keaton’s return as Bruce Wayne/Batman, a role he first played in Tim Burton’s 1989 Batman and reprised in 1992’s Batman Returns. The other film, The Flash, did make it to theaters in July 2023 but unfortunately underperformed at the box office, grossing $271 million worldwide.
Reflecting on his initial casting as Batman in the late 1980s, Keaton recalled the backlash from comic book fans, who sent around 50,000 letters to Warner Bros. complaining about the choice. “The fact that Tim said ‘That guy, I want that guy’ … The fact that people cared one way or another so much is still baffling. But that was a ballsy move on his part,” Keaton said.
A tribute to Tim Burton
In his recent interview, Keaton once again praised Tim Burton, with whom he recently collaborated on the long-awaited sequel to 1988’s Beetlejuice, titled Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. “Tim deserves enormous credit. He changed everything,” Keaton said. “I can’t necessarily say this, but there’s a strong possibility there is no Marvel Universe, there is no DC Universe, without Tim Burton. He was doubted and questioned.”
This acknowledgment underscores Burton’s significant impact on the superhero genre and the broader film industry.
Keaton’s pragmatic approach to Hollywood
Keaton’s decision to reprise his role as Batman in Batgirl partly for the paycheck might surprise some fans, but it aligns with his long-standing philosophy that Hollywood is, first and foremost, a business. This perspective also explains his reaction to the narrative surrounding his Oscar-nominated performance in 2014’s Birdman, which was often framed as a comeback.
“A really, really, really smart guy, a guy I liked a lot, said, ‘Comeback—that’s the story,’” Keaton recalled. “I went, ‘Honestly, it’s kind of bullshit.’” He pointed out that he never stopped acting and had several consecutive releases leading up to Birdman, including films like RoboCop and Need for Speed.
A steady career strategy
Keaton’s career strategy has always been about staying active and avoiding desperation. “I never panic,” he said. “If you get desperate, you’re fucked. Don’t ever get desperate. You can get insecure and nervous, and go, ‘Wow, boy, I’m not doing so great right now.’ But when you get desperate, you’re dead.”
This pragmatic approach has allowed Keaton to navigate the ups and downs of Hollywood with resilience and confidence.
For more insights into Michael Keaton’s career and his thoughts on the industry, you can read his latest profile on GQ’s website.