Michael Keaton is one of the best actors working today. Hell, you could argue that he’s been one of the best actors working for the better part of four decades. But still, for comic book fans, they’re always talking about his two-film portrayal of Bruce Wayne, aka Batman, in Tim Burton’s films. And it’s that excitement that got people super jazzed to find out that Keaton was in talks to reprise his Batman role for the upcoming ‘Flash’ film. But it sure doesn’t sound like Keaton appearing in the film is a done deal. As a matter of fact, if you believe the actor, he hasn’t even really given it much thought.
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Speaking to Deadline, Keaton was asked about the possibility of returning as Batman in the upcoming DC superhero film, “The Flash,” starring Ezra Miller. That film is expected to venture through the multiverse a bit and would see Keaton’s version of Batman appearing opposite Ben Affleck’s Batman in a very nostalgic feature. But Keaton isn’t so sure that it’s going to happen.
“No, you know what it is? I am needing a minute to think about it because I’m so fortunate and blessed, I got so much going on now,” explained Keaton. “I’m really into work right now. I don’t know why, but I am, and so, yeah, I mean, you know, to tell you the truth, somewhere on my iPad is an iteration of the whole ‘Flash’ thing that I haven’t had time yet.”
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He continued, “I called them and said, ‘I have to be honest with you. I can’t look at anything right now. I’m so deep into this thing I’m doing. Also, I’m prepping a thing I’m producing and getting ready to do down the road in the fall that I’ll be in, and I feel responsible to that.’ So, yeah, there is that. I’m not being cute or coy. If I talked about it, I’ll be just bullshitting you. I don’t really know. I have to look at the last draft. To be honest with you, you know what worries me more than anything about all this stuff?…It’s Covid. I’m more concerned. I keep my eye more on the Covid situation in the UK than anything. That will determine everything, and so that’s why I’m living outside the city here on 17 acres, staying away from everybody, because the Covid thing has got me really concerned. So, that’s my first thing about all projects. I look at it and go, is this thing going to kill me, literally? And you know, if it doesn’t, then we talk.”
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All that to say, it doesn’t appear that the Michael Keaton thing is 100% a done deal, huh? Of course, he’s not opposed to it, but it sure does sound like he doesn’t feel the overwhelming desire to put on the Batman cowl one more time.
So, for the time being, you can seemingly pencil Keaton in for an appearance in “The Flash,” in some sort of multiversal role that shows how the Tim Burton universe connects to the DCEU. However, for now, let’s not put it in pen because it sure doesn’t sound like we can bet the house on it.
“The Flash” currently has a release date set for November 4, 2022.
