Michael Keaton is finally in the awards conversation, which is ironic because the role he plays in Birdman is eerily similar to his own life. Keaton, like Riggan in the film, is a former superhero franchise star. But while Riggan is trying to run from his past, Keaton embraces the fact that he played Batman twice on the big screen.
In an interview with Variety, Keaton said that he isn’t jealous of Ben Affleck, who was recently cast as Batman for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. “Do you know why? Because I’m Batman. I’m very secure in that,” Keaton explained.
Keaton explained that he is very proud of Tim Burton’s 1989 Batman, since it set the standard for all superhero movies that have followed in the subsequent 25 years. He also played Batman in Burton’s 1992 follow-up, Batman Returns.
“Tim changed, or started, everything,” Keaton said. “And I’m proud of the choice I made, in terms of how to play Batman. It’s probably easier now because Tim paved the way, and if I did anything to pave the way, I’m proud of that, too.”
Unlike Keaton, Christian Bale said last month that he is jealous of Affleck. However, the star of Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight films said that he has since been able to get over his initial feelings.
Keaton was nominated for a SAG Award and Golden Globe for his performance in Alejandro G. Inarritu’s Birdman.
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