Fans have been vying for Michael Keaton to play an aged Bruce Wayne in a live-action Batman Beyond film and Bruce Timm, a creator of the animated series, endorsed this casting choice.
While discussing the upcoming Batman: Soul of the Dragon film, Timm said he would love to see Keaton in a Batman Beyond film. "Honestly, I think the idea of [Keaton] doing it is cool. Honestly, he looks a little too good," Timm told SYFY Wire. "I know he's probably in his mid-60s now, but he looks pretty damn good for being over 60. I like my old Bruce Wayne to be, like, really old. But, who knows? It could certainly still work. He looks like he could kick most guys' asses."
Timm also said that it was "super gratifying" that fan support for the show has continued nearly 20 years after its release, and that he felt a live-action film adaptation could work. "Could it work in live-action? Sure. Of course, it could," he said. "I think it's ready-made for it. I do think it would be a little on the higher end production-value-wise because it would not be a cheap movie to make because it's set in the future. But there's definitely some cinematic possibilities there, for sure."
When it was announced that Keaton would be reprising his role as Batman in The Flash feature film, the actor started trending on Twitter as fans expressed their desire for him to play an aged Bruce Wayne in a live-action Batman Beyond film. Keaton will be returning as The Dark Knight in 2022's The Flash alongside Ben Affleck. The film is meant to link the two universes, with Affleck returning as one Batman and Keaton returning as the other.
Created by Timm alongside Paul Dini and Glen Murakami, Batman Beyond takes place in a cyberpunk version of Gotham City. Teenager Terry McGinnis takes up the mantle of Batman from Bruce Wayne and defends Gotham City from all manner of threats. Teen Wolf alum Tyler Posey has expressed his desire to portray McGinnis in live-action, while Zelda Williams recently said she would love to play McGinnis' shapeshifting nemesis Inque in live-action.
Directed by Andy Muschietti from a script by Christina Hodson, The Flash stars Ezra Miller, Michael Keaton, Ben Affleck and Billy Crudup. The film arrives in theaters June 2, 2022.
Source: SYFY Wire