Michael Keaton: From Batman to Birdman

One of the most surprising and versatile actors of his generation, the former Batman is getting rave reviews for his new film, "Birdman," as an actor seeking to get out of a superhero role's shadow. Lee Cowan heads to Michael Keaton's 1,000-acre Montana ranch for an up-close-and-personal visit with this unique and inventive actor.

[@TheSneezingMonkey]

Haha...love his honesty about Batman 3...'I wouldn't take 15 million because the movie just sucked'. I wish more actors would make a call like that.

[@jellosquishier]

6:57 "What was it about Batman 3 that you just didn't like?" "It sucked." hahahahhahaha. Truer words have never been spoken.

[@LordHannigan]

It sucked cause he wasn't there.

[@TheJayRizzelProject]

Tir Na Nog no. Joel Schumacher's vision is what sucked. He didn't want it to resemble the old films at all. He also cut out all of the dark elements that he originally filmed in batman forever

[@JokerXDHaHaHa]

& that Burton was kicked off the project. McDonald's had a whole Happy Meal promotion ready, I mean toys were made and the bags were printed. Then, the exec's of Mickey D's saw the film, and said ,"This is NO kids film."

[@kingkazma3246]

TheJayRizzelProject Yeah he read the script, saw 'Bat Nipples' and said...IM DONE! XD

[@kingkazma3246]

JokerXDHaHaHa The toys made it to MCDonalds, I had the Batman and Catwoman ones, they were lil figure torsos driving cars.

[@theoscingtons]

I always liked Keaton but after hearing why he turned down batman 3 I have an even higher level pf respect for him now.

[@ekop1778]

NIGHTSHIFT

[@Thespeedrap]

Sometimes sequels are just money grubber.Look what happened to Val Kilmer career.😵what does that tell you.

[@43jaygee]

Terrific actor and down to earth guy.

[@Disney65Fan]

Yeah I like Micheal Keaton. MAN I remember that underrated flick Jack Frost. I bawled.

[@thefurrybastard1964]

+Disney65Fan I remember Johnny Dangerously.

[@allengreene9954]

+Disney65Fan That was VERY much underrated .

[@Disney65Fan]

Allen Greene I agree with ya a very underrated Xmas movie.

[@43jaygee]

Keaton & Inarritu did it two years in a row with Birdman and then Michael in Spotlight & I. with The Revenant. Keaton, a terrific actor and the other guy, a freakin genius.

[@shadowman2192]

Beetlejuice is the greatest Tim Burton movie because of Micheal Keaton.

[@justingarrison3605]

I couldn't be more right!

[@20oztsunami]

***** looooool no.

[@NGScoob]

It's show time!

[@BIGBLOCK5022006]

+Marioman303 Let's turn up the juice and see what shakes loose.

[@rich1051414]

+Clete Kass You can't compare a cgi movie with a live action movie. They are different things entirely. Michael Keaton and Johnny Depp are the two best things that ever happened for Tim Burton. Did you forget about Edward Scissorhands? I rank it nearly up with beetlejuice myself. :)

[@tommydude969]

if you havent seen birdman you dont know what youre missing

[@sergio97boss]

Watched it yesterday and it absolutely blew my mind. It was dark and funny and entertaining and arresting, I loved it

[@sergio97boss]

***** what are you on about? I am just telling the guy that I concur with his statement and that I absolutely loved the film. Not once did I mention marvel or DC so go take you fanboy bullshit somewhere else.

[@josemiguelq]

***** Birdman is NOT a superhero movie.

[@EthanS1481]

***** Please watch the movie before expressing your thoughts on what the movie is and what it isnt. Its not a superhero movie. It hasnt got a superhero vibe at all. Its a dark comedy drama, and leans more towards being a plain drama.

[@orlandocruz1036]

+Music Video Birdman is a lot of things but it's far from a superhero film

[@schuriken]

So the batcave is in Montana ?

[@Mardukmax]

Keaton is a living legend. I hope he gets the oscar.

[@SweetTusk]

Edward Keaton is nαt any sort of æctor-he/s æ celêbrity He ænd Michael Reeve šhould go fʌck dhemsεlves

[@thedefinitive6296]

Still the best big screen Batman to date.

[@TheJayRizzelProject]

Here is one reason why he wasn't. He killed people.

[@thedefinitive6296]

Exactly why he was the best one to me. He actually fixed shit. He did locked these jerks up in Arkham to escape lol

[@TheJayRizzelProject]

thedefinitive the Batman of this generation doesn't kill. And Keaton didn't differentiate Bruce and batman enough.

[@thedefinitive6296]

I thought he did a great job of making them different without overdoing it. I'd much prefer this more subtle approach to Bale's throat cancer Bat-rasp. Wanted to toss him a freakin' Ricola.

[@TheJayRizzelProject]

thedefinitive well the voice was really his main flaw. But his voice was subtle in batman begins but Nolan insisted that he make the voice even more hoarse sounding

[@DjJokerr]

Michael Keaton will always be BATMAN to me.

[@anael55]

He gave a powerful performance in Birdman! I was blown away!

[@GetToDaChoppa-k5r]

Fun fact: Jack Nicholson loved Beetlejuice and that's what got him interested in working with Tim for the Batman movie.

[@Thespeedrap]

I'm excited to see Michael Keaton Batman again.

[@Cedrclovesutube]

lol He needs to play the old BRUCE WAYNE In BatMan Beyond. Now that would work.

[@FastHunter_]

He said if Tim Burton directs it then he'll accept the role.

[@thefurrybastard1964]

+FastHunter4 Fingers crossed

[@FastHunter_]

The Batman yea

[@SweetTusk]

Dhis is why Michael Norton hæs said no to “Birdman 2”

[@LordHannigan]

Michael Keaton is like a Washington. Both loved and had anything they wanted at their finger tips. I mean how do you turn down 15 million dollars. I guess being something special. To me he will always be Batman.

[@josemiguelq]

Bale and Keaton. The best batman's ever

[@DarkBath]

I dunno, i liked Bale's Bruce Wayne, but i think his batman is just silly.

[@SweetTusk]

Adam Шest

[@dirkbogarde44]

Hope he gets that oscar. Liked him ever since Nightshift.

[@claytonkirby878]

nightshift ..great comedy

[@marcgalvan9360]

Keaton has gone all Bruce Wayne on us living away from people.

[@mattheston9132]

You know how fuckin' funny it would be if he not only isolated himself - so to speak - but also became all bitter and resentful like Bruce Wayne from Batman Beyond? Haha

[@Cedrclovesutube]

Matt Heston I was thinking the same thing lol

[@Luvie1980]

This is how I want to live. Nice scenic place in Montana. Very grounding.

[@Luvie1980]

***** Michael Keaton is an actor, not a celebrity like most of these so-called actors of today. He is old-school, he worked his way to the top. As one should.

[@Luvie1980]

***** Very true.

[@Luvie1980]

Allen Greene ok so what.

[@kenjiharimaCU]

Only Batman '89 and '92 are the real Batman movies the other films are just a director's fanfiction.

[@JosephDutra]

Are you including Christopher Nolan's films or just Schumacher's?

[@kenjiharimaCU]

Only Schumacher's that's why I refer to him as "Just a director's fanfiction"

[@makdavian3567]

maybe for old folks....nolan's batman surpasses any attempt to get batman on a 3d role by a big shot

[@kenjiharimaCU]

Nolan's Batman was perfect. Nitpicking though the voice and fight scenes are not that good in later films though the death metal voice grew on me. In Tim Burton Batman, he only had a hard time fighting two guys in both movies. The big man in the tower '89 and Catwoman first fight where Batman was holding back. Like I always say Tim Burton's Batman was the established Batman where he was technically 100% badass the only problem this was the old vision of Bob Kane a very brooding Batman that would kill. Unlike the Batman today that will never kill.

[@Ryda124]

Batman Returns is certainly fan fiction

[@cgh7337]

Michael Keaton is amazing. I've liked him ever since Mr. Mom came in 1983. "Why didn't you do Batman 3 (Batman Forever)?" "It sucked, it was awful!" No kidding, Forever was just as bad as Batman & Robin, yet no one hates it as much.

[@astrobearable]

pfft everyone hates batman and robin...everyone. shit that review made an internet reviewer famous. just google bat credit card.

[@cgh7337]

astrobearable I realize that, however was talking about Batman Forever aka Batman 3 . It was just as bad as Batman and Robin aka Batman 4.

[@BolshevikCarpetbagger1917]

Chris Hegedus Jim Carrey playing the Riddler was the only thing enjoyable from that monstrosity. But there was also a few serious conflicting moments in Batman Forever, as bad as they were. But you didn't see that in Batman and Robin, it was just a two hour slap stick cartoonish toy commercial.

[@TheCPComedykids]

Batman Forever sucks on paper, but Jim Carrey sold the hell out of his role, so parts of the movie worked

[@johnnyd.5466]

The more I hear about this film, the more excited I get. Keaton's coming back to the mainstream under just the right conditions, while Harrison Ford is stuck in Expendables 3. There's going to be a real legacy here when all is said and done.

[@SweetTusk]

BİRDMAN İV

[@natechenry]

Who's here after seeing that hes coming back as batman possibly?

[@Dome31337]

He was also great in Jackie Brown.

[@MateoKupstysChica]

I really love this guy's acting... I never thought of Birdman of beeing biographic. I mean, he did an xlnt job in the movies after Batman. Whitenoise was great and not to mention Robocop. Great guy, great actor! he deserves to live the great life he has... easy and simple.

[@tylerchatman67]

Who would guess 6 years later, he be suiting up as Batman again at 70, unbelievable

[@cj7girl280]

There was only ONE real Batman and Bruce Wayne... And they were played by... Michael Keaton... Wish he was the only one for all Batman movies... :P

[@Unqualifiedmedicalperson]

He was also in "The Other Guys", remember that?

[@exodusexodus7608]

yes. i like that role. kept quoting TLC songs!! LOL!

[@NOTWS]

And Robocop (2014)

[@SuperFastEddies]

dude i loved him in the other guys! those tlc references were funny af!

[@JammersReUnite]

Eddie And Need for Speed

[@SuperFastEddies]

JammersUnite are you kidding me? that movie what shit compared to his other work!

[@ojar91]

he will always be my favourite batman

[@RybacksOnlyFan]

He got the script for Batman Forever. "Fu** this!" LOL

[@richardgillette5759]

the man is a legend

[@andrewz732]

Micheal will always be batman to me

[@SweetTusk]

İ'M BİRDMAN

[@BatmanKnightfan]

Keaton should play Batman in "The Dark Knight Returns" live-action but I doin't think it will happen. Oh I love Burton & Nolan Batman films.

[@Thedesertguy75]

I agree, the guy is a class act. Best batman imo

[@DebzLife]

Batman to Birdman to-- Vulture!!

[@TomEbbsjamasteroids]

The one and only thing that pissed me off with the card Keaton was dealt with on his batman with Tim burton... The suit...the man could hardly fucking move his head...the goddamn suit! Should've had a hell of a lot more effort put into it by design team. Apart from that keatons persona of Bruce was too solid. Perfect without the killing

[@vintagesoul73911]

3:31 they all have his signatured devils eyebrows. Ha.

[@bigearedmouse17]

keatons batman was superb

[@heartlandranchtv4943]

Keaton was hands down the best for 16 years until Nolan and Bale came along.

[@warnutztheloser]

Michael Keaton wuz The Best Batman

[@jforozco12]

Birdman made me value cinema once again. Michael Keaton is just awesome

[@atruebluestory]

TAKE THE RIDE - GO SEE HIM IN BIRDMAN - Michael Keaton such a treasure + rare talent Xx

[@doctorfeelucky]

Why is that on every video relating to the Tim Burton Batman series or Keaton, there is always someone debating that "Batman doesn't kill people"? Actually, he did, in the original comics.

[@Some1Any1No1]

Actually, the fact that the Keaton batmans show him killing thugs is one of the reasons why I like them so much!

[@zebarz]

Michael Keaton is one of my all time favorite actors.

[@h-e-acc]

The one and only and the best Batman in the franchise.

[@UziNineMillomeetah]

keaton is the man. seems like a really down to earth guy. totally underrated actor.

[@craidoff]

He's a really good guy!

[@markmccreary9605]

I remember him on Mr. Rogers. I also saw him do stand-up and he had one of the best comedy minds. It's a shame he quit.

[@exodusexodus7608]

Michael Keaton IS the only Batman i know. the first and the last one! Good luck for your "birdman" movie, Mike!

[@AnimeIntroStyles4]

His house is beautiful and in an amazing looking area. I'd love to have a house in an area like that. Maybe not too too far from the city and without any type of farm or ranch, but in that area is beautiful.

[@donniedarko1345]

There are only 2 Batmans. Batman 1 in 1989 and Batman Returns in 1992. All the other "Batmans" were mediocre. Not good, just mediocre.

[@thereefshark]

Damn, Michael Keaton's estate is friggin beautiful.

[@Shadowace724]

Always the best Batman! He is to Batman that Sean Connery is to Bond, James Bond.

[@shinjinobrave]

People keep asking him about Birdman in relation to Batman, proving that they either didn't watch the movie or want to be ironic douchebags...

[@alexanderforslund9880]

What is so strange about that? I'm sure Keaton got casted for this movie just because the on surface resemblance between his career and Riggan. There's nothing negative about it, he laughs about it himself but shuts the real resemblence down by saying he doesn't relate to Riggan at all. Keaton is not being asked about the resemblences between Birdman and Batman, he is being asked about HIS career and RIGGAN's career, which makes a whole lotta sense.

[@shinjinobrave]

Alexander Forslund I know it makes sense. But even though Keaton is nothing like Riggan, it's like they're trying to impersonate the annoying journalists in the movie.

[@jmuduke99]

One of my favorite actors - talked to him yesterday at work!

[@Aldiggy2000]

where he lives is paradise!

[@007josiah]

I still can't believe this man hasn't won an oscar. He should have gotten one for Multiplicity. People give Eddie Murphy so many props for nutty professor but Keaton was doing all the characters in a movie years before Eddie ever dreamt of doing it.

[@classic1971]

Multiplicity and Nutty Professor were both out in summer of 96.

[@JavaScriptJolt]

I never liked Eddie Murphy. Michael Keaton, on the other hand, is a great actor. If you haven’t seen him in “Pacific Heights”, you need to; he does an excellent job playing a psychopath!!!

[@angelodaviani3817]

fucking batman THERE WILL BE NOOOO OTHEEERR BATMAN EVER

[@spi2derman]

He was working with mister Rogers neighborhood?

[@jmcdowell1972]

It's too bad Keaton is such a left-winger...I wish I had never followed him on Twitter, totally ruined him as an actor to me...

[@beatlecost]

The Best Batman. Call it nostalgia or whatever, but Michael is just fuckin' likeable, whether he plays Beetlejuice, Batman, Birdman, comedy or drama.

[@nileriver922]

I'm still wondering if this birdman is from the HB like Harvey birdman attorney at law

[@seattlegirl33]

What a stellar guy. It was nice seeing this and his Golden Globes speech. Seems so "normal" as far as Hollywood standards anyway.

[@HalfEatenMedia]

Batman 3 would be an awesome film if it was made now.

[@song4mozart]

I still have a crush on him :)

[@cwb0051]

I met Mike in Mexico Way back in 1972, when he was just Michael Douglas, he attended Kent State..He was a super cool guy then too..

[@carinrobinson]

He looks good too

[@carinrobinson]

@Michael Keaton I gave a script for you to Arthur Sarkissian

[@chrisleeyung69]

'That's why 20 years ago I said no to Birdman 4'

[@alffuergregor]

He is 60what? daaaaaaaaaaaamn.

[@Bertiesghost]

His family all have the same pointy eyebrows lol

[@neil2905]

jesus christ. it's magnificent where he lives.

[@VHMV1977]

Michael Keaton is the best full-blown Batman after it all went downhill.

[@ianm6390]

Keaton should get an Oscar.

[@dr.aniasara7038]

People forget that Batman is a man underneath that lost his parents as a child.

[@martinroche1026]

Love Michael Keaton. Solid Actor

[@ryancrawford3413]

4:00 why does Michael look like Anthony Fantano lol

[@MrDizzie123]

You can tell Michael is a down to earth guy who cares about his acting after turning down all that money because he knew batman forever was gonna be awful, which to be honest it was

[@FEARisCOLD]

Multiplicity one of the most underrated movies ever.

[@ianm6390]

Michael Keaton's the best Batman .... .

[@Rsoj01]

Still my favorite Batman.

[@danie3ashbshm]

He sounds like he has a beautiful mind

[@jeastwood2737]

He should have won an Oscar for BIRDMAN... It's one of the best movies I've ever seen... over and over again... It's so real, and multi-dimensional

[@abimisi9426]

For me Mr. Keaton forever will be batman.

[@seattlegirl33]

What a stellar guy. It was nice seeing this and his Golden Globes speech. Seems so "normal" as far as Hollywood standards anyway.

[@cleofaspingarron]

Loved him in Jackie Brown

[@wrldchamps04]

Pacific Heights was great....

[@76shian]

He should play Joe exotic

[@Joldrath]

I knew he was an awesome actor. Didn't know he was such a good person as well :)

[@vangrandvangrand928]

He was a snowman also.aaaa... he was ok

[@cityofchamps66]

I can relate Michael, a fellow Pgh native who spent 2 winters working in Big Sky, it is truly God's country

[@RandomPlayIist]

I heard it's quite beautiful there and would love to see it for myself someday. What's nice is he still comes back home though, he never forgot his roots.

[@timopolychros1780]

The best batman ever . Ever

[@ManJunk427]

Great interview Greatly informative and MK comes across as a Great Guy..............Bravo on the Awards...their much deserved!!!

[@Donscottmusic]

I'm so happy that me and Keaton both agree on "Batman Forever" lol Michael Keaton has always been such a great actor,who is also very diverse in all of his roles. Plus,he also seems like a really nice,down to earth guy,with a great personality as well. A very uncommon thing,with these popular stuck up actors and actresses nowadays.

[@ApoorvPadhye]

6:09 Take note, Ben Affleck haters.

[@fpberserk4690]

Apoorv Padhye Take notes? Keaton ended up being a good Batman,Afflect didn't.

[@garysmith1945]

Birdman was fantastic

[@viniciussiqueira7997]

Is just impossible to imagine (after his comeback to Hollywood) Michael Keaton playing Batman in Batman Forever. Imagine the guy being forced to interact with Chase Meridan or Robin (both were included in the screenplay offered to Keaton).

[@defyingtheodds1987]

Looks gorgeous out there

[@paralentor]

Everyone needs to watch Night Shift. Seriously, it's great.

[@Chayaen]

I love this guy

[@wilsonwijaya.design]

I'm batman. EPICCCC

[@tonyanastasio6959]

what a career. Keaton has played a beetle, bat and a bird lol. what other actor can say that he's played three animals lol lol. Keaton has always been great. shame he turned down so many other big roles. sure he would have had an Oscar or two by now

[@staxmantim]

People should only "lol" at other peoples' comments, not at their owns.