Batman Returns had real chemistry. Starring Michael Keaton in the Tim Burton-led Batman films of 1989 and 1992, the director opted for an unconventional character in the sequel. The depiction of Catwoman was rather rare back then. Catwoman first appeared in the 1966 Batman film, enacted by Lee Meriwether. However, in Burton’s Batman Returns, Michelle Pfeiffer’s version became the most iconic Catwoman ever.
Interestingly, Michael Keaton was completely against Pfeiffer’s casting, and actively pushed back on the producers to reject her. The reason, Keaton and Pfeiffer had been engaged in a love affair years before Batman Returns was ideated. But, their subsequent break up caused utter discomfort for Keaton to co-star alongside his ex-lover.
Michael Keaton was against Michelle Pfeiffer playing Catwoman
Owing to their past relationship, playing lovers in Batman Returns turned into a nightmare for Michael Keaton. He was simply not into the idea whereas the filmmakers and producers felt there could be no better actress to portray Selina Kyle/Catwoman than Michelle Pfeiffer. To Keaton’s astonishment, the producers’ gut feeling was precise as Pfeiffer’s portrayal hauled the spotlight on Catwoman for an eternity.
Robert Wuhl, who played Alexander Knox in 1989’s Batman made a comment on Keaton’s quandary. He recalled,
“To put a little fly in the ointment, Michael Keaton and Michelle Pfeiffer had previously dated and broken up. At the time, Michael told me he was trying to get back with his ex-wife. Keaton was firmly, and underline firmly, against that casting of Pfeiffer.”
Wuhl also added that Keaton and producer Jon Peters, who wanted to cast Michelle Pfeiffer at any cost, were involved in an altercation, unknown whether verbal or physical. Nevertheless, Pfeiffer evidently, made it into the movie, despite stiff competition from other prominent stars like Madonna and Nicole Kidman. The ex-couple reportedly dated for eight months before they split up in 1988.
Michael Keaton almost didn’t get cast for Batman
Even though Michael Keaton might have established himself in the Batman franchise, making calls on who oughta be cast, the backstory to his casting was a pretty controversial one too. After Keaton was selected to play the Caped Crusader in Tim Burton’s Batman, the fans were not pleased. According to SreenRant, 50,000 letters flew into Warner Bros’ mail, contesting Keaton’s portrayal as the savior of Gotham City.
The 72-year-old actor flaunted a resume of comedic projects like Mr. Mom, and Touch and Go, not the ideal expertise to play a gothic, dark-themed superhero. Another reason was his physique. Batman is depicted as a macho superhero, flicking through rooftops and whooping psychopaths and villains in the comics. Thus, with that standard set, the audience could not imagine Keaton doing the same. Nonetheless, it wasn’t until the movie came out, and made a huge box-office splash that fans were convinced that Keaton could ace a cowl.
Michael Keaton’s version emerged as one of the best live-action Batman ever. Therefore, 2023’s The Flash directed the film’s promotion entirely on Keaton’s return. Even though the DC film was hardly a box-office smash, fans witnessed Keaton donning the cowl after 30 years.
