In a disappointing turn of events, it has come to light that Michael Keaton’s Batman was originally envisioned as the DC Extended Universe’s answer to Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury, serving as a unifying presence throughout the franchise. Both actors possess a commanding yet charismatic aura, and their characters share the trait of delving into others’ affairs, making them ideal for interconnecting storylines. Regrettably, the concept of “BatFury” never materialized due to a series of setbacks, including release date changes, extensive reshoots, and shelved projects that derailed the studio’s plans.
This revelation stems from a recent report by The Hollywood Reporter, shedding light on the tumultuous production of “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.” According to the report, former DC Studios head Walter Hamada intended for Keaton’s Batman to assume the role of an experienced figure, capable of appearing in various films to establish continuity. Keaton was slated to appear in “Batgirl,” “Lost Kingdom,” and “The Flash.” However, all three projects encountered complications. “Batgirl” was ultimately shelved during post-production, while “The Flash” underwent multiple release date changes, as did “Lost Kingdom,” which required three rounds of reshoots. The shifting release dates reached a point where “Lost Kingdom” was initially set to release in March 2023, preceding Keaton’s return as Batman in “The Flash” in June. Consequently, the Batman cameo in “Lost Kingdom” had to be reshot with Ben Affleck in the role. Ultimately, in the latest version of the film, neither iteration of the caped crusader appears. One source described the situation as “chaotic.”
In the early days of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Nick Fury’s character played a crucial role in establishing a shared universe, connecting different films and creating a cohesive cinematic experience. Despite being a decade into its film catalog, the DCEU’s continuity is currently uncertain and in dire need of a unifying element similar to Fury’s presence. However, with James Gunn and Peter Safran leading DC Studios and preparing to reboot the franchise with “Superman: Legacy,” Keaton’s inclusion as a Fury-like character would not only be too little, too late, but also redundant.
Background on Michael Keaton’s Batman
Michael Keaton first portrayed Batman in Tim Burton’s 1989 film, where he faced off against Jack Nicholson’s Joker. He reprised the role in the 1992 sequel “Batman Returns,” starring alongside Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman and Danny DeVito as The Penguin. After a 31-year hiatus, Keaton returned as the Caped Crusader in “The Flash,” which finally hit theaters last month after a lengthy and troubled production.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Michael Keaton’s Batman, DCEU, Nick Fury, interconnecting presence
What was the original plan for Michael Keaton’s Batman in the DCEU?
The original plan for Michael Keaton’s Batman in the DCEU was for him to serve as the franchise’s equivalent to Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He was intended to act as a unifying presence, appearing in multiple films and connecting the various storylines within the DCEU.
Why did the concept of “BatFury” not materialize?
The concept of “BatFury” did not materialize due to a series of setbacks. These setbacks included changes in release dates, extensive reshoots, and the shelving of certain projects within the DCEU. These factors disrupted the planned appearances of Michael Keaton’s Batman character, ultimately leading to the abandonment of the idea.
What were the complications faced by the films involving Michael Keaton’s Batman?
The films involving Michael Keaton’s Batman, namely “Batgirl,” “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” and “The Flash,” all encountered complications. “Batgirl” was shelved during post-production, while both “The Flash” and “Lost Kingdom” underwent multiple reshufflings of their release dates. These complications created scheduling conflicts and necessitated reshoots, ultimately impacting the planned appearances of Keaton’s Batman character.
How did the uncertainty of release dates affect the inclusion of Batman in “Lost Kingdom”?
Due to the shifting release dates, “Lost Kingdom” was originally set to release before “The Flash,” which meant that Batman’s cameo in “Lost Kingdom” had to be reshot with Ben Affleck taking on the role. However, in the latest version of the film, neither Michael Keaton’s Batman nor Ben Affleck’s iteration appears.
What was the role of Nick Fury in the early days of the MCU?
Nick Fury’s character played a crucial role in the early days of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He acted as a connecting thread between films, establishing a shared universe and cinematic continuity. Fury’s presence helped create a cohesive experience for audiences and set the precedent for interconnected storytelling within the MCU.
How does the DCEU’s continuity compare to the MCU’s?
The DCEU’s continuity is currently more uncertain than the MCU’s. While the DCEU has been producing films for a decade, the franchise has faced challenges in maintaining a consistent and interconnected narrative. The DCEU is in need of a unifying element, similar to what Nick Fury provided for the MCU, to establish a clearer and more coherent continuity.
What is the background of Michael Keaton’s portrayal of Batman?
Michael Keaton first portrayed Batman in Tim Burton’s 1989 film, where he faced off against Jack Nicholson’s Joker. He reprised the role in the 1992 sequel “Batman Returns,” starring alongside Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman and Danny DeVito as The Penguin. After a hiatus of 31 years, Keaton returned as Batman in “The Flash,” which was released after a lengthy and troubled production process.
More about Michael Keaton’s Batman, DCEU, Nick Fury, interconnecting presence
- The Hollywood Reporter – Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’s Production Challenges
- Rotten Tomatoes – DCEU Movies
- ScreenRant – Michael Keaton’s Batman
- Marvel Cinematic Universe Wiki – Nick Fury
- DC Extended Universe Wiki
5 comments
waaaait, hold up! they wanted to make a shared universe like Marvel? like with Nick Fury connecting everything? that’s cool, but too bad it didn’t work out. DC needs some help with their continuity, that’s for sure!
Keaton as Batman is legendary! I loved him in the ’89 film and Batman Returns. It’s awesome he came back in The Flash. But man, those release date changes messed everything up. They should’ve just kept him in Lost Kingdom, even if Affleck had to step in. Chaos, I tell ya!
Haha, DC trying to copy Marvel’s Nick Fury move? That’s so typical! But hey, can’t blame them for wanting a connected universe. Too bad it didn’t work out. DC needs to get their act together and stop being so messy. Marvel’s got it all figured out!
OMG, I’ve been waiting forever to see Keaton back as Batman. He’s the best! But all these reshoots and delays are driving me crazy. Can’t they just get their act together and give us what we want? I need my BatFury fix, like, now!
omg, this is a crazy news! i can’t believe they wanted Keaton’s batman to be like Nick Fury, that would’ve been so epic. but damn, all the complications and stuff ruined it. so sad.