Batman Returns contained quite a few references to past DC lore, but one particular cameo involving a 1966 supervillain sadly fell through. For a generation of fans, Tim Burton's Batman movies defined the Caped Crusader and Gotham City. They're still widely beloved to this day, even despite the massive success of the later Dark Knight trilogy directed by Christopher Nolan. Part of that is due to Burton's unique visual style and darkly funny sensibilities, while some of it came about because it was the first time Batman had been presented on such a grand scale in a movie.
However, it's worth remembering that Batman 1989 actually wasn't the first Batman feature made, or even the first to play theatrically. That honor goes to 1966's Batman: The Movie, which served as an expansion to the successful 1960s Batman TV series starring Adam West as Gotham's protector, and Burt Ward as his faithful sidekick Robin. The 1966 film featured a dream team of villains, as Batman went head-to-head with an alliance of Joker, Catwoman, Riddler, and Penguin.
While Batman 1966 is a hilariously absurd movie, meant to accompany a show of the same nature, it still succeeded in being the defining Batman prior to Burton's. It makes perfect sense that Burton would want to pay respect in Batman Returns, and that almost happened in a major way.
Batman Returns Almost Cast An Iconic 1966 TV Villain
Hollywood legend Burgess Meredith played The Penguin in the 1966 Batman movie and Adam West TV show, and aspects of his portrayal and look have influenced almost every screen version since. Meredith was by no means only famous for playing Penguin, also starring in iconic episodes of The Twilight Zone, playing trainer Mickey in Rocky, and many more celebrated projects. A prologue scene in Batman Returns sees the parents of Oswald Cobblepot, the future Penguin, abandon him in the river. He's eventually found and cared for by a family of penguins left behind from an abandoned zoo.
In the final film, Tucker Cobblepot is played by Paul Reubens, who Burton worked with on Pee-Wee's Big Adventure, and who would also later play Penguin's father on FOX's Gotham. However, Meredith was originally offered the role by Burton, as a tribute to his classic portrayal of the Penguin character. Sadly, an illness forced Meredith to decline the part, although every indication is that he would've been onboard otherwise. In his 80s, Meredith had been having health problems for a few years by that point, and by 1997, five years after Batman Returns' release, Meredith had passed away at 89.
Meredith appearing in Batman Returns to symbolically pass the Penguin torch was an excellent and appropriate idea by Burton, and it's a pity Meredith wasn't able to participate. Thankfully, Danny DeVito's Penguin still did Meredith proud, even if the two versions of the character have some striking differences. Colin Farrell is set to next take up the Penguin mantle in 2022's The Batman and promises to introduce yet another new take on the classic Batman villain.