Though Burton wasn’t asked back, Michael Keaton certainly was and now he’s revealing why he opted out of what turned into Batman Forever starring Val Kilmer as Batman instead.
Tim Burton wasn’t invited back for a shot at Batman 3 after many thought Batman Returns was too dark to sell to children and families.
Michael Keaton definitely got out at the right time, but one can’t help but wonder what would have happened had he and Burton made a third Batman movie.
Basically, Tim Burton got pushed out for not being able to properly merchandise the movie and Michael Keaton jumped ship pretty much right after when he saw the direction that the Batman franchise was heading.