It is already confirmed that Michael Keaton will be donning the Batman suit once again in the upcoming The Flash movie, but many fans found it surprising to hear of his comeback after three decades. The last time he appeared on-screen as the Caped Crusader was in 1992’s Batman Returns, and in several interviews he confessed to never wanting to play the character again. He has now revealed what convinced him to return.
Before Keaton’s involvement in The Flash was confirmed, rumors started swirling of his involvement in the project. He obviously denied the rumors, as any actor involved in a large-scale production would. But, once the rumors were confirmed, speculation over why Keaton decided to return as Batman became a new trend. It was even more surprising for fans to hear that Ben Affleck's version of the hero was also involved in the project. So, what made Keaton return? In simple words, “it seemed like fun.”
Three decades after he last wore the cap, Keaton was curious to see “what it would be like after this many years.” In an interview with Variety, the actor revealed that he was intrigued by the DC Extended Universe, referring to it as an “entirely own world,” and being an outsider looking in, he always thought “Holy moly.” Robin would be proud of his use of the phrase, but more importantly, it is what convinced him to step back into Batman’s shoes. He further revealed that he thought the writing on The Flash was “actually really good,” and after reading the script, he was curious to see if he could pull it off.
What’s interesting is that even though he has played the role of Batman in the past, and even appeared in Spider-Man: Homecoming as the Vulture, he hasn’t been keeping up with any of the DC or Marvel films. “I’ve never seen an entire version of any of those movies,” he revealed in the interview, and clarified that it isn’t because he’s a “highbrow,” but because he doesn’t have a lot of time. “It’s just that there’s very little things I watch,” he said. He tries to watch movies or series, and typically gets distracted by something else that he needs to do.
Ezra Miller reprises his role as the Scarlet Speedster in the upcoming The Flash movie. He first had a cameo in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, where the plot of The Flash was teased, and he later made his first full appearance in Justice League. Based on the synopsis of the upcoming film, it seems like it will be an adaptation of the 2011 comic storyline called Flashpoint. The hero tries to prevent his mother’s murder and decides to travel back in time, without realizing that his actions could have terrible consequences. It remains to be seen how the two versions of Batman fit into the plot.
The Flash is scheduled to premiere in theaters on June 23, 2023.
Source: Variety