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:
the bat’s out the bag 🦇😌
— Leslie Grace (@lesliegrace) December 22, 2021
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.
i grew up on the keaton movies; but i want more from batfleck and an ending to his character; not an ending where hes erased from history along with man of steel which i fear is the case; WB is dividing and losing fans every day and this news isnt helping#RestoreTheSnyderVerse pic.twitter.com/MX7Tfqtyqo
— Richard Bateman (@richbateman87) December 23, 2021
No words. What a God awful decision. The entire reply thread is spammed with @BenAffleck praise. How does @warnerbros just not get it?! No one wants to see Keaton continue further than a cameo. #RestoreBatfleck
— Michael Schipani (@OverusedNamex) December 23, 2021
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)
