Michael Keaton is returning as Batman – in more than one movie! It had previously been revealed that Keaton would be reprising his iconic role in next year’s The Flash movie. However, not it has been revealed that the actor will also return in the upcoming Batgirl movie, which is in the works for HBO Max. After nearly three decades away, we’re about to see a whole lot more from Keaton’s Bruce Wayne.
As reported by The Wrap, Keaton has been confirmed to join the cast of Batgirl. Details on just how large (or small) his role is going to be remain under wraps at this time. As far as other confirmed cast members go, Leslie Grace (In the Heights) is set to star in the lead role as Barbara Gordon/Batgirl. Playing the main villain will be Brendan Fraser (Doom Patrol), who is suiting up as Firefly.
Keaton originally played the role in 1989’s Batman, directed by Tim Burton. It was, at the time, the most successful superhero movie ever made. Burton and Keaton reunited for 1992’s Batman Retuns. However, both departed the franchise ahead of 1995’s Batman Forever, which featured Val Kilmer in the role. Keaton will first be seen in The Flash alongside Ezra Miller’s Barry Allen. Additionally, Ben Affleck will return as his version of Batman in that movie as well. It will be exploring the DC multiverse, much in the same way that Spider-Man: No Way Home opened up the Marvel multiverse.
Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah (Bad Boys for Life) are directing the movie. Christina Hodson (Birds of Prey) is penning the screenplay. There is no word yet on how soon production will get underway. But the movie is currently set to arrive on HBO Max and will not be a theatrical release. That could change though. Recently, Blue Beetle was given a release date in theaters. Similarly, that movie started life as an HBO Max film.
Hodson had this to say about the story during this year’s DC FanDome event.
“What’s kind of funny about Barbara [Gordon] and Batgirl is that in this story, she’s discovering Batgirl for the first time. So she’s getting to explore a duality she’s always had in her personality, but it’s this whole new side of her personality, a side that’s more daring and slightly less normal side of her that we just get to have fun and play with.”
Batgirl does not yet have a release date set.
What do you think? Are you excited about Barbara Gordon finally getting a movie? Are you looking forward to seeing more of Keaton as Batman? Join in on the conversation over on Facebook or Twitter!
