Tim Burton's Batman films were spectacular. Burton took the Caped Crusader into a gothic metropolis that made fans forget about the colorful and funny Batman of the 70's. Both Batman and Batman Returns starred Michael Keaton in the lead role, and he will always be the Batman. At least, that what he believes.
Keaton recently gave a commencement speech at Kent State University in Ohio, and reminded the students who the real Dark Knight is. “I’ve got two words that I want you all to remember,” Keaton said to close his speech. “They’re very important, and if I leave you with anything, I’m going to leave you with these two words. And those two words are: I’m Batman.”
Keaton played another bird in last year's Spider-Man: Homecoming, the Vulture. Add that to his role in Birdman, and it seems like Keaton has a thing for birds. Currently, Ben Affleck is locked into the role of Batman, although Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice was dragged by critics and Justice League bombed (for a superhero flick) at the box office. Christian Bale did play a great Batman in the Nolan brothers' trilogy, but he was overshadowed by generation influencing villains. We don't talk about George Clooney or Val Kilmer. So, maybe Michael Keaton really is Batman.