The reports that a Batman Beyond film was in the works and potentially canceled make Michael Keaton's DCU future more uncertain than it already was. Allegedly starring Michael Keaton's Dark Knight after his confirmed role in The Flash, this troubling news follows the cancelation of HBO Max's Batgirl which would have also starred the Batman of the Tim Burton-directed films. As such, things are looking pretty bleak for Michael Keaton and his extended return to the cape and cowl.
In the midst of all the recent reports and rumors regarding canceled DC projects and films in development, the cancelation news regarding Keaton starring in a live-action Batman Beyond adaptation is arguably the most tragic. While the Caped Crusader is set to appear in 2023's The Flash along with Ben Affleck's Batman in the multiversal adventure, Keaton's return may now be limited to this single appearance rather than becoming the established Batman of the DCU as was originally believed.
Canceled Batman Beyond Movie Would Have Been Perfect For Keaton
While Batgirl's controversial cancelation was extremely disappointing, the idea that a live-action Batman Beyond movie was also in the works for Keaton before being put on ice is just as devastating. Even before Michael Keaton was revealed to have a role in The Flash, his version of Bruce Wayne had long been the frontrunner to co-star with a new Dark Knight set in the year 2040.
In the animated series, a retired Bruce Wayne encounters Terry McGinnis, a young man whom the original Dark Knight eventually agrees to train, becoming New Gotham's Batman. As such, the idea of a Batman Beyond adaptation set in Burton's Batman Universe would have been quite compelling as a more satisfying conclusion for Batman and Batman Returns. Michael Keaton is the perfect age to be a retired Bruce Wayne who still has enough fight in him to entrust his legacy to the next generation.
Why Is DC Wasting Michael Keaton's Batman Return?
As it stands, Keaton's Batman is currently only confirmed for The Flash when only a short time ago he was expected to be around for so much more. Understandably, the DCU's future is still up in the air due to the new regime change with James Gunn and Peter Safran taking the reins. However, the concept of having Michael Keaton who's as willing as ever to don the cowl is feeling like an opportunity that's actively being squandered more and more.
With the way things seem to be headed with all the tumultuous DCU news and updates, it's now a legitimate concern that Michael Keaton's Batman future post-Flash will be one of the primary causalities. The absence of a Batman Beyond adaptation would be a huge blow if the cancelation rumors prove to be true. Likewise, It would be understandable for one to wish that it had never been in development at all, rather than learning simultaneously that a Batman Beyond with Keaton was in development only for it to have already been canceled.
Why A Batman Beyond Movie Should Still Happen
Even with the new leadership and the new story direction allegedly in the works for the DCU, there's no reason why a Batman Beyond project couldn't still happen. Matt Reeve's The Batman has never looked better amidst all these problems, and Batman Beyond could similarly exist on its own without connection to the greater DCU as well. Likewise, Keaton could still be involved with the film continuing to exist in the Burton-universe. There are even reports that Michelle Pfeiffer's Catwoman would have been part of the plot as well, reuniting with Keaton's Batman to continue their unresolved romance.
It's no secret that Batman Beyond is one of the most beloved superhero cartoons of all time. It was just as groundbreaking as the original Batman: The Animated Series it spun out of. As such, it deserves to be realized in live-action with one of the most iconic Batmen of all time. Additionally, any decision to not seize that opportunity is essentially a choice to leave millions of inherent box office returns on the table. Here's hoping a Batman Beyond film starring Michael Keaton has simply been put on hold, rather than being canceled and rejected entirely for the DCU's future.
