In a surprise announcement that shocked loads of Batman fans, veteran actor Michael Keaton will be reprising his iconic 1989 role in Lesie Grace-starrer Batgirl.

Grace herself confirmed the rumor this morning, via tweet:

Last donning the Batsuit 30 years ago, Keaton has expressed some mild interest across the years in revisiting the character.

“Just because I was curious didn`t mean I wanted to do it,” he clarified on the latest episode of Variety`s Award Circuit podcast.

“So it took a long time, frankly… I`m not just gonna say I`ll do it. It has to be good. And there has to be a reason.”

What is Batgirl About?

While the 2022 film’s plot remains unclear, the film is largely centered around Barbara Gordon – daughter of J.K. Simmons’ Commissioner Jim Gordon.

Across much of DC’s comic and cinematic/TV universe, the character becomes one of Batman’s closest allies and friends – and in several story arcs, his lover.

In several storylines, she ends up paralyzed after a brutal and sadistic attack from The Joker – becoming a tech and information expert for several superheroes, calling herself ‘Oracle’.

Directed by Belgian-Moroccan director duo Adil & Bilall, the film also stars Brendan Fraser. He will play classic Batman villain Garfield Lynns AKA ‘The Firefly’ – a pyromaniac with a penchant for jetpacks, flamethrowers, and all things incendiary.

Too Much Batman For 2022?

As a megafan of Nolan’s legendary Dark Knight trilogy as well as the classic Warner Bros. Animated Series, I never thought I’d suggest that too much Batman was a problem.

That said, 2022 has a whopping 3 different actors appearing as Batman in the same year – Robert Pattinson in The Batman, Ben Affleck in The Flash, and now Michael Keaton in Batgirl. Naturally, this has divided an already exhausted DCEU fanbase.

There’s also the matter of casting – with Batman likely to be romantically paired with Batgirl, fans are also up in arms regarding Keaton’s age. The actor is currently 70 years old – four years older than J.K. Simmons, who plays Batgirl’s father.

Perhaps this film will tease a much older, wiser Bruce Wayne – think Batman Beyond’s animated universe version of the character.

Gruff, grim, and even more intimidating, this grizzled ex-superhero is an old fan favorite that definitely deserves some live-action screen time. Look above for a comparison alongside a fan-made render of Keaton as a retired Dark Knight.

Batgirl is currently in production in London, and is due for an HBO Max exclusive release.

(Image Sources: DC Comics, Warner Bros. Entertainment)