Michael Keaton Didn’t Like Cheeky Digs at Tim Burton’s Batman Movie in the Original Script of Batman Returns

Directed by Tim Burton and written by Daniel Waters, Batman Returns is a rather unconventional yet iconic 1992 DC movie. It was the sequel to Batman (1989) and the second installment in the 1989–1997 Batman series. Interestingly enough, Burton had no interest in returning for a second Batman movie as he felt the studio, Warner Bros., did not provide him with adequate creative control. He agreed to return on his own terms, which included much more creative autonomy over his own project, replacing original writer Sam Hamm with Daniel Waters, and hiring many previous collaborators.

Recently, Daniel Waters opened up about how he originally wanted Batman: Returns to be a much cheekier version. It apparently included certain digs at Tim Burton’s original Batman movie because Waters thought “it sucked.” However, Michael Keaton did not like it and convinced him to change it.

Michael Keaton changed Daniel Waters’ mind about Batman Returns

While speaking with IndieWire, Daniel Waters opened up about how he thought Tim Burton’s original Batman movie “sucked.” In fact, the movie was supposed to include many digs at the Tim Burton original. Batman Returns was supposed to open on the Batman logo, which would then pan out to reveal an in-universe merchandise store. Batman was also supposed to make several references to exploitative merchandising throughout the film.

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However, it did not materialize due to one man who did not quite like the idea. Michael Keaton, who played Batman in the Tim Burton series of movies, did not approve of such a mockery and advised him against it. Walter recalls that “[Michael] Keaton said, ‘This is very clever. Cut it.’”

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Batman Returns broke several box-office records in its time. Made on a budget of a mere $50-$60 million, it went on to make $268 million worldwide. It actually developed a legacy in the years after it was released. Comic Book Resources even dubbed it the most iconic comic book movie ever made. Later on, Batman (2022) director Matt Reeves and Batman actor Robert Pattinson called the movie their favorite Batman film, with Reeves ranking it alongside The Dark Knight (2008).

“We didn’t really understand the whole comic book thing”- Batman Returns writer reveals the real reason for changing the villains’ back stories

Although Batman Returns is one of the most iconic Batman movies of all time now, during the time of its release, many fans were riled up as the creatives did not follow any comic book story arc for Penguin and Catwoman, played by Danny DeVito and Michelle Pfeiffer. In an interview with IndieWire, Daniel Waters finally opens up about the real reason behind it, which is the complete unfamiliarity of the available material. Check out his full quote below:

“It was a weird assignment in that I didn’t need to please anyone but Tim Burton. Before the internet, you didn’t have to go before a tribunal and say what you were doing—it was just two guys in a room riffing. We didn’t know shit about Batman villains. We didn’t really understand the whole comic book thing. I just found out DC Comics stands for Detective Comics.”

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He also added that, despite many people being against the innovative take, the movie has come a long way. Especially after watching so many Batman movies out of DC, he thinks the audience appreciates the “going off the road” and finds the movie “interesting” now.

Batman Returns can be streamed on Prime Videos.