Michael Keaton Credits Tim Burton for Modern Superhero Movies

according to Michael KeatonThe modern superhero genre would not be what it is today without the early contributions of legendary director Tim Burton. Long before Robert Pattinson played a young Batman, before Robert Downey Jr. played Tony Stark in the first Marvel Cinematic Universe film, and before Wesley Snipes questioned the logic and physics of rollerblading in Batman. codeTim Burton completely redefined Bruce Wayne and comic book movies in 1989. BatmanWith so many superhero movies out there, Michael Keaton believes Burton's contributions to the genre are underappreciated by fans.

Speaking to GQ about reprising the lead role in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice After 36 years away from the character, Keaton looked back on his career and his partnership with Tim Burton. After his breakout role in BeetlejuiceBurton cast Keaton to play the eponymous guard in Batmangiving the character a darker touch than the previous television version starring Adam West. While Burton Batman The film was groundbreaking at the time, but it has been overshadowed by the endless wave of modern superhero films. Keaton said:

“Tim deserves a tremendous amount of credit. He changed everything. I can't necessarily say this, but there's a strong possibility that there would be no Marvel Universe, there would be no DC Universe, without Tim Burton. He was questioned and questioned.”

Michael Keaton Praises Tim Burton For Casting Him In Batman Movie

Before Keaton was cast in BatmanHe was known for his comedic performances – most famously in Tim Burton's film BeetlejuiceWhen Keaton was announced as Bruce Wayne in BatmanFans lost their minds, and not in a good way. Decades before social media allowed anyone to share their negative opinions with the push of a button, more than 50,000 comic book fans protested Keaton’s casting as Gotham City’s beloved vigilante. Once the film was released in 1989, the naysayers quieted down, and Burton’s gothic version of Batman became the gold standard, until Christopher Nolan took over the reinvention of the character 16 years later.

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Looking back on his casting, Michael Keaton feels that fans haven’t given Tim Burton enough credit for believing in what the actor could bring to the role. After the film’s release, fans praised Keaton’s performance, with some claiming they always knew Keaton could do it. But the actor says fans should direct that praise to the beloved director:

“He didn’t get enough credit for saying, ‘Yeah – this guy.’ And everyone said, ‘Wait, Michael? You worked with him on Beetlejuice, right?’ But I think what happened was Tim saw Clean and Sober. I got credit. I don’t know if he got enough credit for taking that step. It was a bold move.”

GQ spoke to Burton for this article, asking him why he chose Keaton for the lead role. The director did not say Clean and sober In his response, however, he said he knew immediately that Keaton had what it took to be Batman:

“I love Michael because he has a certain energy. That's why I wanted him in Batman, because when you look into his eyes, he's smart, scary, crazy, all at once.”