Michael Keaton in Talks to Return to Batman Role

This article was written exclusively for The Film Magazine by George Taylor.


A report from The Wrap suggests that Michael Keaton (Birdman) is likely to play iconic vigilante Batman in the upcoming The Flash film. Keaton and Warner Bros. are currently in early talks regarding his involvement, so details such as how significant the role is are currently unknown. It: Chapter Two director Andy Muschietti is currently attached to direct.

Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne/Batman in Batman Returns (1992).

The film will also star Ezra Miller, who reprises his role as the titular character first seen in Justice League (2017). The film is expected to follow the ‘Flashpoint’ storyline, in which the Flash travels back in time to save his mother, but in doing so alters the timeline. This results in Bruce Wayne’s father, Thomas, donning the mask of Batman instead. It is not known if Keaton will play an alternate timeline version of Bruce or if he will play Thomas. The story has been explored already in the comics, an animated film and the ‘The Flash’ TV show.

Keaton initially played the caped crusader in Tim Burton’s Batman which proved to be a commercial and critical hit, often being considered one of the better Batman films and a turning point for the genre. He continued his comic book roles with The Vulture in Spider-Man: Homecoming and will also appear in the upcoming Morbius.

With this announcement, there will be three actors concurrently playing Batman in live-action. Robert Pattinson (Good Time) will star in Matt Reeves’ The Batman, due to release in 2021. Ben Affleck will star in the recently announced Zack Snyder cut of Justice League, a role he initially began in Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice. This will be made exclusively available on the new HBO Max streaming service, also in 2021. To see how The Film Magazine ranks each of the actors to wear the cape and cowl, click here!

Written by George Taylor


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