Before Robert Pattinson’s The Batman introduced Colin Farrell as the Penguin, DC fans got a much more terrifying take on the character by Danny DeVito. He is the exact reason why Pattinson finds Tim Burton’s 1992 film, Batman Returns, as one of the most disturbing things even now. Michael Keaton’s second Batman film was also one to take a dark turn as a DC superhero movie.
Pattinson followed in the footsteps of George Clooney, Christian Bale, and Ben Affleck to play the latest iteration of Batman. James Gunn’s DCU is set to introduce another Batman, a casting that has yet to be announced.
The Batman Actor Robert Pattinson Finds One Movie The Most Disturbing
Danny DeVito was the primary villain in the 1992 film, Batman Returns, playing Oswald Cobbler aka Penguin. DeVito’s Penguin was a deformed man who was abandoned as a baby in the sewers. The over-the-top villain plots to take over Gotham City by running for Mayor. The character haunted the dreams of many young Batman fans at the time, including Robert Pattinson.
During an interview with BBC Radio 1, Pattinson shared his feelings about Michael Keaton‘s movie and how Danny DeVito’s character had an impact on him. While he called the film “a masterpiece”, he also shared that he was still disturbed by DeVito’s Penguin to this day. The Twilight actor shared with BBC Radio 1:
“I love Danny Devito as well. Batman Returns is a masterpiece… I remember watching as a little kid and even watching it now it’s one of the most disturbing things I’ve ever seen. It’s like a little risque as well.”
Pattinson was not wrong in calling it “risque” as the film had several violent and s*xual elements, which received criticism from various corners at the time (via The Washington Post). The film alienated family audiences and its marketing partners were met with backlash for promoting the film to young children. However, the performances of Keaton, DeVito, and Michelle Pfeiffer received critical acclaim.
The backlash for the film also forced Warner Bros. to replace Tim Burton with Joel Schumacher (via Den of Geek). Schumacher was expected to take the movies in a more family-friendly direction, which Keaton couldn’t agree with. Keaton worked alongside Burton for back-to-back projects including Beetlejuice of 1988 and had created a rapport with the director.
Interestingly, Burton was hired in 1986 to direct the first Batman film but the film was not greenlit until after the success of Beetlejuice (via Den of Geek).
Tim Burton And Michael Keaton Reunite For Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice 2 project just dropped its trailer on Thursday and fans of the original were excited to revisit the horror comedy classic. The trailer featured returning stars Winona Ryder and Michael Keaton alongside the new addition, Jenna Ortega. Keaton’s Betelgeuse looked terrifying in his ghoulish attire in the teaser trailer as well as the first look released by Warner Bros.
Schitt’s Creek actress Catherine O’Hara reprises her role as Delia Deetz, mother of Ryder’s Lydia Deetz. Monica Bellucci, Willem Dafoe, and Justin Theroux play other crucial roles in the film. Burton has had a bit of bad luck at the box office recently, while Keaton unsuccessfully reprised his Batman role in 2023’s The Flash. However, Burton found some success as the director of the Netflix series, Wednesday.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is scheduled to be released in theaters on September 6, 2024.
