When Tim Burton set out to cast Batman, his pick for the caped crusader was nothing short of unconventional. Enter Michael Keaton—an actor best known for his comedic chops, not exactly the brooding, chiseled vigilante type. But that’s where Burton’s kind of crazy genius kicked in. He wasn’t looking for your typical superhero.
Burton saw something in Keaton that screamed unpredictability—something that could capture Bruce Wayne’s tortured duality in a way no one else could. Forget muscles; Keaton had the manic energy that Batman needed, and Burton was all in on it. Against all odds (and fan backlash), this oddball decision turned into one of the most iconic superhero portrayals in cinematic history.
Why Tim Burton Knew Michael Keaton Was the Perfect Crazy Choice for Batman
There’s something about Michael Keaton that’s just different. Not your typical Hollywood vibe. And that’s exactly what caught Tim Burton’s eye way back in the late ’80s when he was searching for his Batman. Forget the clean-cut superhero image—Burton wanted something wild. He explained:
When you just look at Michael in ‘Beetlejuice’ or even ‘Batman,’ he has this sort of look in his eye. That’s why I wanted him to be Batman, because you just look at him and go, ‘This is a guy who would dress up like a bat.’ You know what I mean? There’s something behind the eyes that’s just very intelligent, funny and dangerous and kind of crazy.
Keaton, with his unpredictable energy, wasn’t the obvious pick for a superhero role. But that’s what made him the choice for Burton. The director was after something fresh, something no one else saw coming. Keaton’s portrayal of Beetlejuice – chaotic, eccentric, and effortlessly weird – gave Burton exactly what he needed for Gotham’s dark knight. Batman with an edge. Not just the brooding billionaire, but a guy who, in Burton’s words, had danger behind the eyes. That crazy edge? It’s what set Keaton apart from the usual Hollywood lineup.
Fast forward a few decades, and Keaton’s career’s still bursting with that wild unpredictability. His roles in Dopesick, Birdman, and now Goodrich prove that he can bounce between dramatic and offbeat with ease. Whether he’s playing a fallen-from-grace actor (Birdman) or a hustling art dealer in a midlife crisis (Goodrich), Keaton brings the same chaotic brilliance that made him Batman in the first place.
Keaton, ever the low-key guy, doesn’t seem fazed by all the attention. At 73, he’s still sharp, still quick with a quip, and still radiating that offbeat charm. He never got desperate about his Hollywood journey and never chased the desperation in this business – it’s a trap. Spoken like a man who’s always known exactly what makes him stand out – and how to use it.
Tim Burton’s Soul Train Scene in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Misses the Mark on Diversity
Tim Burton’s attempt to throw a Soul Train scene into Beetlejuice Beetlejuice was not it. Sure, the movie had some decent moments, but that weird ghost train to the afterlife bit? Yikes. Burton, who’s faced heat for his all-white casts in the past, tossed in this funky, retro tribute to Soul Train—a ‘70s show that was all about Black culture and joy. But instead of feeling inclusive, it came off like a lazy, awkward fix.
The problem? There’s literally no other Black representation in the movie. It’s like Burton went, “Fine, here’s your diversity,” and slapped on a random scene. And this isn’t the first time he’s been criticized for it either. Back in the day, he even said adding diversity felt more offensive than leaving it out. Uh, what?
In the end, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice kind of fumbled. Plotlines were all over the place, and the whole inclusivity thing felt more like an afterthought.
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