Keaton Returns?

A pinch of salt may be required if Batman fans are to swallow the latest flecks to fall from the rumour mill, that being that Warner Bros. are considering a Batman Beyond film with Keaton starring as an older Bruce Wayne.

The rumour started circulating after the website We Got This Covered claimed that close sources revealed the studio was inspired by the success of the Joker to look into developing more standalone, dark and adult orientated projects.  Could Batman Beyond be one such project?

The move towards standalone, more adult orientated films would make sense for the studio, given the mess that they’ve made of the DC universe on the big screen.  Whilst their small screen and animated projects remain steadily decent and largely well received, such a move is really a no-brainer if Warner Bros. want to rejuvenate their box office standings.

That said it’s unclear how likely a Batman Beyond film really is, although fans have been clamouring for such a film for some years now.  Based on the animated show of the same name, it tells of an older Bruce Wayne who has hung up the cape and cowl becoming the mentor of high schooler Terry McGinnis, who dons a futuristic Batsuit to once again bring justice to the streets of Gotham.

Keaton has said in past interviews that he would return to the role “in a heartbeat” if director Tim Burton was at the helm, and fans would no doubt flock to cinemas if such a project ever came to pass, so the incentive is there for WB.

In the meantime Batfans will have enough to chew over with details of “The Batman”, due for release in 2021, sure to emerge in the coming months.  With that project well in development it’s hard to predict just how seriously the rumours of the return of Michael Keaton to the Batman role should be taken.  Whilst I wouldn’t rule it out I certainly wouldn’t get my hopes up.