Bruce Wayne (1989 film series character)

Casting[edit]

Multiple actors were considered for the role of Batman during production. In Tom Mankiewicz's original script which Ghostbusters director Ivan Reitman was attached to, actor Bill Murray was considered for the role in a script that featured Eddie Murphy as Dick Grayson / Robin. Gremlins director Joe Dante was attached to the project as well at one point. The script was intended as a comedy, but was altered significantly after Tim Burton's involvement. Mel Gibson, Kevin Costner, Charlie Sheen, Tom Selleck, Harrison Ford, Pierce Brosnan, Ray Liotta, Willem Dafoe, Alec Baldwin, Kurt Russell, Patrick Swayze, John Travolta, Richard Gere, Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Biehn, Dennis Quaid, Bruce Willis, Steven Seagal, and Jean-Claude Van Damme were all considered for the role.^{[4][5][6][7][8]} Eventually, producer Jon Peters suggested Michael Keaton, claiming he had the right "edgy, tormented quality" for the role, and based his argument on Keaton's dramatic performance in the film Clean and Sober. At the time, Keaton was primarily known for comedic parts in Mr. Mom and Beetlejuice, the latter also being directed by Burton.^[9][10][11] Keaton's casting as the character caused an uproar from fans of the character, who claimed Keaton was too comedic and too short for the role.^[12] Over 50,000 recorded protest letters were sent to Warner Bros. offices, and the casting was questioned by screenwriter Sam Hamm, producer Michael Uslan and even Batman co-creator Bob Kane.^{[13][14][15][16]}