Michael Keatonās Mistake in Preparing for Tim Burtonās āBatmanā Leads to Ridicule
Before starring in superhero movies, many actors undergo rigorous muscle-building training to show off their impressive figures on screen. Hugh Jackman as āWolverineā and Chris Hemsworth as āThorā are famous examples. Michael Keaton followed suit while preparing for Tim Burtonās āBatmanā in 1989, but his toned physique turned out to be a mistake that drew the attention of co-star Jack Nicholson.
In an interview with GQ magazine, Keaton recalled the incident when Nicholson walked by as he was training. Nicholson questioned Keatonās workout routine, leading Keaton to realize that being smaller would be better for the role. Keaton admitted that the bulky Batsuit hindered his movement and breathing, but 30 years later in āThe Flash,ā improvements were made to address these issues.
Director AndrĆ©s Muschietti explained that Keaton struggled to film with the old Batsuit, which restricted his neck movement. Despite criticism of CGI special effects in āThe Flash,ā the technology allowed Keaton to film impressive fight scenes after returning to the franchise.
While the 1989 Batman costume design remains a fan favorite, improvements made to the Batsuit for āThe Flashā address major shortcomings that hindered Keatonās performance. Keatonās experience serves as a reminder of the importance of functionality in costume design for superhero films.