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10 Things You Might Not Know About Batman '89


In 1989, the world of superhero movies was forever changed with the release of director Tim Burton’s Batman.

For many fans, Michael Keaton’s portrayal of the character remains their definitive take on the Dark Knight. However, for as much love as this film has received in the 30 years since its release, there are a number of fascinating behind-the-scenes facts that remain largely unknown to the general public.

That being said, here are 10 things you might not know about Batman ’89:

  1. Robin ‘The Joker’ Williams?

    Although fans loved Jack Nicholson’s take on the Clown Prince of Crime, it was nearly Robin Williams who played The Joker in Batman. Initially, Nicholson balked at the idea of playing the iconic villain, at which point Warner Bros. reached out to Williams. The studio then told Nicholson that Williams was in contention, prompting him to reconsider the offer. Naturally, Williams wasn’t pleased with being used as “Nicholson bait,” which is the primary reason he refused to play The Riddler in 1995’s Batman Forever.

  2. The Two-Face That Almost Was

    In Batman, Billy Dee Williams portrayed Harvey Dent, leading many to believe he’d eventually take on the villainous alter ego of his comic book counterpart. However, in Batman Forever, Tommy Lee Jones played Two-Face, but that wasn’t always the plan. When Williams signed on for Batman, it was under the expectation (along with a clause in his contract) that he’d play Two-Face in a sequel, but Warner Bros. opted for Jones instead and bought Williams out of his contract.

  3. ‘I’m Batman’

    Perhaps the most iconic line in Batman is when Michael Keaton’s Caped Crusader says, “I’m Batman,” after a terrified mugger asks who he is. In the original script, though, the line was “I am the night,” which – while not terrible – probably wouldn’t have been nearly as memorable.

  4. #NotMyBatman

    When fans learned Michael Keaton – an actor known mainly for comedic roles – had been cast as Batman, the news was met with immense backlash. In fact, tens of thousands of fans wrote letters to Warner Bros. to voice their displeasure. Ironically, Keaton’s Batman went on to become one of the most beloved takes on the character to date, rivaled perhaps only by Christian Bale.

  5. Bat-Mel

    While Mel Gibson has only recently started being removed from Hollywood’s blacklist, he was a hot commodity in the late 1980s. In fact, at one point, he was Warner Bros.’ top choice for the role of Bruce Wayne/Batman. However, due to his commitment to Lethal Weapon 2, Gibson had to pass.

  6. Jack Who?

    In the comic book source material, The Joker’s real name remains a mystery. However, in Batman, he was given the alter ego Jack Napier, which was created specifically for the film. The name itself is derived from the word “jackanapes,” which is a medieval term used to describe a fool who resembles an ape. Furthermore, it’s also a nod to actor Alan Napier, who played Alfred Pennyworth in the 1966 Batman TV series.

  7. Batsuit Bummers

    Think not being able to turn your head is the main drawback of the 1989 Batsuit? Not for Michael Keaton. In addition to not being able to hear through the thick rubber padding that covered his ears, Keaton was also incredibly claustrophobic, and being in the suit exacerbated his condition. Fortunately, Keaton used this to his advantage, as it allowed him to channel his inner Dark Knight.

  8. The Robin That Almost Was

    Although Robin was introduced to the Burton/Schumacher franchise in Batman Forever, he nearly made his debut much earlier. Early drafts of the script for Batman included Robin, and the role was even offered to a 19-year-old Kiefer Sutherland, who turned it down. Eventually, though, the role was reduced from a full-fledged Robin appearance to a Dick Grayson cameo and finally, the character was written out altogether.

  9. Joker Chill

    Yes, Jack Nicholson’s Joker was adored by fans, but one major point of contention was that in Batman, he was the man who killed Bruce Wayne’s parents instead of Joe Chill. However, this radical change to the Batman mythos was approved by none other than Batman co-creator Bob Kane, who served as a consultant on the film. Furthermore, Kane said in hindsight, he would have made The Joker the killer of Batman’s parents from the beginning, had the character been introduced earlier in the comics.

  10. The Batmobile

    Fans certainly love the design of the Batmobile in Batman. Surprisingly, though, it’s a bit of an amalgam. The vehicle was built on the chassis of a Chevy Impala and uses its engine, as well. The tail lights come from a Ferrari and the headlights from a Honda Civic. As for the iconic sliding cockpit, it was inspired by a Harrier Jump Jet after Burton remarked that he loved the initial design but questioned how Batman would enter the vehicle, as it lacked a door.

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