Why Did Michael Keaton Turn, Down A Third Batman Movie?

Michael Keaton was the first Batman of the modern era, but then he walked away. Why did he turn down a third chance to be Bruce Wayne?

Michael Keaton was Batman. He was the first man to become The Dark Knight in the modern era. The formerly comedic actor led Tim Burton’s two forays into the DC universe. However, the next two films featured other actors playing the caped crusader. Why didn’t Keaton want to return? Clashing visions with director Joel Schumacher.

"And one of the reasons I couldn’t do it was—and you know, he’s a nice enough man, he’s passed away, so I wouldn’t speak ill of him even if he were alive—he, at one point, after more than a couple of meetings where I kept trying to rationalize doing it and hopefully talking him into saying I think we don’t want to go in this direction, I think we should go in this direction"

While Burton himself admitted to never reading the comics, Schumacher was steeped in the lore of the Detective comics.

And the difference shows. While the first two movies focused more on Bruce Wayne’s brooding and emotional grappling with the role of being Batman, Schumacher’s over-the-top camp fests harkened back to the comics and the classic TV series.

Schumacher’s focus on the Rogue’s Gallery certainly took the focus off Bruce Wayne.

One wonders what had happened if Keaton stuck around. His career sort of stalled after the Batman films. I think he made the right decision for himself and the character though.