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That damned virus causing Michael Keaton to reconsider Batman return

March 22nd, 2021 by Marc Comments

One of the most exciting things going on in comic book movie right now is the fact that we are on the precipice of getting Michael Keaton as Batman.

But, sadly, it seems that this may not be as certain as it was before and it seems that that damned virus is a big part of why.

Keaton, who played Bruce Wayne/Batman in Tim Burton’s 1989 Batman and again in 1992’s Batman Returns, left, is arguably the best live-action version of the character we’ve had but now the star, 69, has chatted to Deadline about his return in Andy Muschietti’s The Flash movie and, sadly, the news isn’t as exciting as we have long-hoped.

“You know what it is? I am needing a minute to think about it because I’m so fortunate and blessed, I got so much going on now,” Keaton says.

“I’m really into work right now. I don’t know why, but I am, and so, yeah, I mean, you know, to tell you the truth, somewhere on my iPad is an iteration of the whole Flash thing that I haven’t had time yet… I called them and said, I have to be honest with you. I can’t look at anything right now. I’m so deep into this thing I’m doing. Also, I’m prepping a thing I’m producing and getting ready to do down the road in the fall that I’ll be in, and I feel responsible to that. So, yeah, there is that. I’m not being cute or coy. If I talked about it, I’ll be just bullshitting you. I don’t really know. I have to look at the last draft.”

However, in a moment of total honesty, the star added: “To be honest with you, you know what worries me more than anything about all this stuff?

“It’s Covid. I’m more concerned. I keep my eye more on the Covid situation in the UK than anything. That will determine everything, and so that’s why I’m living outside the city here on 17 acres, staying away from everybody, because the Covid thing has got me really concerned. So, that’s my first thing about all projects. I look at it and go, is this thing going to kill me, literally? And you know, if it doesn’t, then we talk.”

Goddamit! I completely sympathise with Keaton’s fear given his age and we know the virus is particularly dangerous for older people, but hopefully, with the movie currently prepping in the UK and the vaccine drive being so far on here, this isn’t the end of the issue.

But, as selfish as it sounds, I have waited over 30 years to see him back as the Dark Knight and hope that DC/Warners work around Keaton on this one because it would be a dream come true for many, many fans.

Anyway, what say you all? Let me know your thoughts

The Flash is scheduled to open on November 4th, 2022.

Marc is a self-confessed nerd. Ever since seeing Star Wars for the first time around 1979 he’s been an unapologetic fan of the Wars and still believes, with Clone Wars and now Underworld, we are yet to see the best Star Wars. He’s a dad of two who now doesn’t have the time (or money) to collect the amount of toys, comics, movies and books he once did, much to the relief of his long-suffering wife. In the real world he’s a graphic designer. He started Following the Nerd because he was tired of searching a million sites every day for all the best news that he loves and decided to create one place where you can go to get the whole lot. Secretly he longs to be sitting in the cockpit of his YT-1300 Corellian Transport ship with his co-pilot Chewie, roaming the universe, waiting for his next big adventure, but feels just at home watching cartoons with his kids….