Fans Go Bat-sh*t Crazy - Michael Keaton Returns As Batman With ‘Batgirl’ Leslie Grace
Fans Go Bat-sh*t Crazy – Michael Keaton Returns As Batman With ‘Batgirl’ Leslie Grace

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 […]

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:

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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?

Leslie Grace, alongside a render of Batgirl from 2015’s Batman: Arkham Knight

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.

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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)

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