Alec Baldwin: Why Tim Burton Passed on Casting Me as Batman

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Michael Keaton is well-known for playing Batman in Tim Burton’s two films, a performance that continues to be cherished by fans of the DC character. Initially, the part might have been given to Alec Baldwin, who starred alongside Keaton in “Beetlejuice,” but Burton thought he wasn’t suitable for the role.

In a recent podcast interview with his brother Stephen Baldwin, Baldwin brought up the topic of Kim Basinger’s role in the original Batman film directed by Burton. He mentioned that Basinger had shared with him her conversation with Burton about why he ultimately cast Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne. This was reportedly because Burton desired an actor who could convincingly portray Bruce Wayne, rather than Batman, and found it difficult to envision Baldwin in the role of such a troubled character.

In the past, he explained to my former wife, Kim Basinger, who was starring in Batman, and she relayed this to him. He stated, “I wasn’t selecting Batman himself, the strong-jawed hero in the suit, but rather Bruce Wayne.” He continued, “I aimed to pick an actor who seemed capable of portraying a troubled character.” Essentially, he didn’t think Alec had any issues in his life.

Baldwin commented, “It was suggested that Julia Roberts should play the role in ‘Prelude to a Kiss’. The director said, ‘I think the character of Rita requires nurturing by your character, Peter.’ However, he added, ‘There’s nothing about Julia Roberts that indicates she needs caring for. She is quite capable of taking care of herself. She’s strong and robust.’

Regarding Batman once more, Baldwin stated, “There was an idea similar to this, where Burton wanted Keaton as he embodied his concept of Bruce Wayne better. Looking at [Basinger], I thought, ‘I can portray troubled characters. I don’t need to be perfect; I can show my flaws and problems.’ However, it appears that the role has been challenging for many. For some, it seems like a persistent issue or dilemma.

In essence, Baldwin highlighted that the portrayals of Batman following Michael Keaton’s performances in “Batman” and “Batman Returns” haven’t garnered quite the same iconic status among moviegoers. He acknowledged, however, his appreciation for Christian Bale’s films, particularly “The Dark Knight Rises,” as well as Tom Hardy’s portrayal of Bane. Fortunately, despite not landing the Batman role, Baldwin ultimately prospered in other acting opportunities on both the big and small screens.

Who Will Be the Next Live-Action Batman on the Big Screen?

As a devoted fan, I’m constantly pondering: Who’ll be the new actor donning the cape and cowl in the upcoming live-action Batman film? It’s no secret that DC Studios is working on a movie called “The Brave and the Bold,” but as of now, no talented souls have been chosen for this iconic role.

There’s speculation that before he steals the limelight in “The Brave and the Bold,” Batman might make an appearance in another DC Universe project. However, no official announcements about his arrival have been made yet. At present, we can only guess who will step into the shoes of this enigmatic superhero next.

Batman and Batman Returns are currently streaming for free on Tubi.

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2025-05-05 06:50