Michael Keaton didn’t mind the ‘Big, fun, nice check’ he got from Batgirl, talks Birdman 'comeback'

Keaton wasn't disappointed by the shelving of Batgirl and shut down the conception that Birdman was his "comeback."

Michael Keaton has revealed he wasn’t too bothered by Warner Bros.' decision to cancel the release of “Batgirl,” in which he reprised his iconic role as Batman. 

Speaking to GQ magazine, Keaton said, “No, I didn’t care one way or another. Big, fun, nice check,” referring to his reaction when the $90 million-budgeted film was axed in August 2022 as part of a cost-cutting measure. 

The film, which had already completed shooting and post-production, was unexpectedly shelved, a move that shocked the industry. According to Variety, a tax incentive played a significant role in the studio's decision to scrap the project.

Keaton added that while he was fine with the situation, he felt for the film’s directors, Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah. “I like those boys. They’re nice guys. I pull for them. I want them to succeed, and I think they felt very badly, and that made me feel bad. Me? I’m good,” he commented.

“Batgirl” was one of two films in which Keaton was set to return as Bruce Wayne/Batman, a role he initially played in Tim Burton’s 1989 “Batman” and its sequel, “Batman Returns” (1992). The other film, “The Flash,” was released in July 2023 but underperformed at the box office, grossing $271 million globally.

Keaton's latest comments come as he reflects on his career and his philosophy towards acting, emphasizing that he views Hollywood as a business. He also discussed his thoughts on being labeled as making a “comeback” with his Oscar-nominated role in 2014’s “Birdman,” a narrative he found to be misleading. 

“A really, really, really smart guy, a guy I liked a lot, said, ‘Comeback—that’s the story,’” Keaton recalled, dismissing the label as “kind of bullshit.”

The actor continues to value the financial aspect of his roles, maintaining that desperation is a career killer. “If you get desperate, you’re fucked,” he stated bluntly. Keaton’s pragmatic approach has kept him steady in the industry, taking on roles that keep the paychecks coming.

For a more detailed account of Keaton's thoughts and career reflections, the full interview can be read on GQ’s website.