'Birdman' actor Michael Keaton says he is the original Batman. Which not many would argue with.
Michael Keaton says he doesn't share Christian Bale's jealousy towards Ben Affleck playing Batman in the forthcoming movie Dawn of Justice. Speaking to Shortlist magazine, the actor - the bookies favourite to win best actor at the Oscars for Birdman - says he is confident of his history with the classic character.
MIchael Keaton is the current favorite to win Best Actor at the Oscars, for Birdman
"No," Keaton said firmly when asked if he was envious of Affleck's movie into the superhero world. "Do you know why? Because I'm Batman. I'm very secure in that."
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Though most would agree that either Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins or The Dark Knight is the greatest Batman movie, many would suggest Keaton's portrayal of the Caped Crusader is the finest.
"Tim [Burton] changed, or started, everything," he said of his pioneering director. "And I'm proud of the choice I made, in terms of how to play Batman. It's probably easier now because Tim paved the way, and if I did anything to pave the way, I'm proud of that, too."
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Speaking previously to Empire magazine, Bale - whose performances in the Dark Knight trilogy were surpassed by the likes of Gary Oldman and Heath Ledger - said he was jealous that Affleck got the part in Batman v Superman.
"I've got to admit initially, even though I felt that it was the right time to stop, there was always a bit of me going, 'Oh, go on ... Let's do another,'" Bale said. "So when I heard there was someone else doing it, there was a moment where I just stopped and stared into nothing for half an hour."
"The fact that I'm jealous of someone else playing Batman," Bale continued, "I think I should have gotten over it by now."
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Watch Michael Keaton in the 'All The World's A Stage' Birdman featurette:
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