“Batman’s Return” is considered one of the very best films about the black knight, which is as much due to Tim Burton’s brilliant direction as it is to Michelle Pfeiffer’s portrayal of Catwoman. But Michael Keaton didn’t actually want her at his side.
After Tim Burton’s first “Batman” film became a huge success in the summer of 1989, it quickly became clear that there would be a sequel – and as soon as possible. Michael Keaton agreed to play the Dark Knight in the next film as well, and Burton took a seat in the director’s chair for the second time. But there were also to be some new additions. One of the most important open questions was who could play Selina Kyle aka Catwoman – Batman’s adversary, comrade-in-arms and love interest all in one.
While Danny DeVito was quickly cast as the ideal main villain, Oswald Cobblepot (better known as the Penguin), Catwoman seemed to be the bigger casting challenge. But at some point, signs solidified that Michelle Pfeiffer might be the best choice. The now 65-year-old was one of the biggest female Hollywood stars of her time through films like “The Day of the Falcon” and “The Fabulous Baker Boys” and seemed to bring all the qualities needed to make Catwoman an equal opposite Bruce Wayne. Although the studio was convinced by Pfeiffer, one quickly vetoed the idea: Batman actor Michael Keaton.
THAT’S WHY MICHAEL KEATON DIDN’T WANT CATWOMAN TO BE PLAYED BY MICHELLE PFEIFFER
The reason: Keaton and Pfeiffer were already very familiar with each other in real life. Both of them had a relationship a long time ago, but it went to pieces. Although they separated amicably, it was still an unpleasant thought for Keaton to meet his former partner again in front of the camera – and then also to have to play romantic scenes with her.
Nicole Kidman and Madonna were also on the list of desired candidates for Catwoman, but Michelle Pfeiffer remained the studio’s No. 1 choice until the very end. According to actor Robert Wuhl, who starred as a journalist in the first “Batman” film, Keaton even took it upon himself to argue with producer Jon Peters to prevent Pfeiffer from getting the role. In the end, however, he had to come to terms with the idea that he would not be able to avoid a big-screen reunion with the later Marvel star (“Ant-Man”), provided he wanted to play the Bat-Man a second time.
Pfeiffer got the part, and despite the initial misgivings of the leading man, later nominated for an Oscar for “Birdman,” the two harmonized perfectly. Like its predecessor, “Batman Returns” became a huge box-office success, even though Tim Burton was able to implement his visions far more radically this time than in the first film, with which he said he was never entirely satisfied.
Later, many more actresses slipped into the cat costume, including Halle Berry (in the 2004 mega-flop “Catwoman”), Anne Hathaway (“The Dark Knight Rises”) and, most recently, Zoë Kravitz (alongside Robert Pattinson in the dark remake “The Batman”).
