Superhero Movies Owe Their Success to Tim Burton’s Vision, Says Michael Keaton

Michael Keaton recently honored Tim Burton with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, praising the filmmaker for his game-changing vision with the 1989 “Batman” movie. Keaton, who starred as the iconic superhero, shared how Burton’s bold choices transformed the superhero genre and paved the way for the multi-billion-dollar industry that exists today.

Reflecting on their early collaboration, Keaton recounted the moment Burton handed him the script for “Batman” following their successful partnership in “Beetlejuice.” Despite the uproar from fans and media over his casting as Batman, Keaton admired Burton’s courage to stand by his decision. He shared, “The guts it took to stand by that decision will always be appreciated by me.”

The 1989 “Batman” film not only cemented Michael Keaton’s place in Hollywood but also set a new standard for superhero movies. Keaton noted that the success of the movie helped launch the superhero genre into the mainstream, saying, “There are a lot of people making a lot of money out there with their superhero movies because of his [Burton’s] choice and his vision of what those movies could be, because he changed everything.”

Keaton also reflected on the intense backlash that followed his casting in the late 1980s. Comic book fans sent over 50,000 letters to Warner Bros., expressing their disapproval. However, Keaton said he’s still baffled by how much people cared. “The fact that people cared one way or another so much is still baffling. But that was a ballsy move on his [Burton’s] part.”

In recent interviews, Keaton has credited Burton with revolutionizing Hollywood blockbusters, stating that without Burton’s “Batman,” there might not be a Marvel or DC cinematic universe today. He added, “He was doubted and questioned, but he deserves enormous credit for what he accomplished.”

The actor and director are reuniting for “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” a sequel set to hit theaters on September 6. While their collaboration also includes Disney’s 2019 live-action “Dumbo,” Keaton admitted that he wasn’t happy with his performance in the film. “I think I let him down on one movie, and it bugs me to this day. I sucked in ‘Dumbo,’” he shared in a recent interview with The New York Times. Despite this, Keaton and Burton’s legacy in shaping modern superhero films remains undeniable.

Watch Keaton’s full speech at Burton’s Walk of Fame ceremony in the video below.