How Did 4 Times Oscar Winning Movie Saved Batman Actor Michael Keaton’s Acting Career From Downward Spiral?
Regarded as one of the exceptionally talented actors in the industry, Michael Keaton shot to fame after he starred as Bruce Wayne/ Batman in Tim Burton’s 1989 Batman. He reprised the role for 1992’ Batman Returns and recently for The Flash. Warner Bros. at the time received numerous letters from the fans of the comic book asking them to recast the role as they believed that Keaton was not the apt choice to play Batman.
However, after the release of the movie, the audience saw what the makers saw when they hired Keaton for Batman. He received critical acclaim and became one of the favorite Batman actors. When Tim Burton decided to depart from the third part, Keaton followed and it was said that he was not satisfied with the screenplay that was approved by Joel Schumacher. Did you know he struggled to gain success and visibility after Batman movies until he took up Birdman? Let’s find out more.
Also read: DC Still Has Regrets Over 1 Major Problem in Michael Keaton’s Batman Suit
Alejandro G. Iñárritu says Michael Keaton was the ‘right man for Birdman’
Michael Keaton appeared in 2014’s American black comedy-drama movie, Birdman, directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu. He starred as the title character, a faded superhero who struggles to mount a Broadway adaptation of What We Talk About When We Talk About Love. The movie was highly appreciated by the audience and the critics, especially Keaton’s performance.
During a cover story with Variety, Keaton mentioned that he likes the movie so much that he cannot get enough of it. Birdman was his chance to step out from his dismal career comfort zone and take upon a challenging character and give his career the boost it needed.
The director shared during the cover story,
“Michael is the most confident person I have known in my life. It’s the only way you can play this character like he did. The braveness and boldness that he has from that incredible self-assurance. “
He continued to share why he decided to offer Keaton the role of Birdman because he was the right man for all the reasons. He added that Keaton can do comedy, and drama and has worn a cape. After the movie’s release and garnering the attention of the critics and the audience yet again, Keaton didn’t slow down as his career took off.
He shared,
“Birdman was exhausting work. But this is how you want to be exhausted. Leaving a lot of movie sets, I’ve gone home and said, ‘How come my hands are clean?’ I should finish something and go home with dirt on my fingernails because then you feel that you’ve done something.”
The success of the movie and the trust Alejandro had in him saved his career as his performance was praised, a reviewer mentioned that ‘Keaton can still be amusing and lacerating in his delivery but there’s a wry wistfulness and even desperation in the mix that’s achingly poignant.’ The actor came back stronger and managed to score some major roles after Birdman’s release.
Tim Burton says the secret is in Michael Keaton’s eyes
Filmmaker who kickstarted Keaton’s superhero journey shared his views on the Variety cover story of the actor, He said,
“That’s the thing I thought made him perfect for Batman. They’re piercing, they’re penetrating, and they’re crazy. He’s got a lot of things going on in his eyes at once.”
In his cover story, Keaton says after the character is over, he moves on to the next thing but did not forget to mention that over the last two years, he has started to enjoy acting again. In an interview with NPR, he said,
“I could’ve have failed miserably, people could’ve laughed at me and made fun of me for the rest of my life , and honestly it probably would’ve hurt my feelings as lot and then I would’ve gotten it. “
The actor was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor in 2015 as the movie was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Cinematographer.
