Michael Keaton vs. Robert Pattinson: Which Upcoming Batman Is More Exciting?

Michael Keaton and Robert Pattinson will both appear as Batman in 2022, but which version is more exciting? The former is venturing into the DCEU via a supporting role in Andy Muschietti’s The Flash, while expectations are exceedingly high for Pattinson’s debut as an entirely separate iteration of the character. Technically, there will be a third Caped Crusader, with Ben Affleck also joining The Flash, although this is expected to end his tenure.

Keaton’s Batman, last seen in Tim Burton’s Batman Returns (1992), will return when Barry Allen (Ezra Miller) delves into the Multiverse. Meanwhile, Pattinson stars in director Matt Reeves’ The Batman, set during the Dark Knight’s second year of crimefighting. It’s currently unknown which if any popular villains Keaton may face, but Pattinson will confront Riddler (Paul Dano), Catwoman (Zoë Kravitz), Penguin (Colin Farrell), and Carmine Falcone (John Turturro).

Both Keaton and Pattinson’s Batman are enticing prospects, but the latter currently has more to offer by way of a brand-new solo film, lacking any commitments to wider franchise continuity. The Batman provides a fresh world to explore, whereas it’s unclear how much time The Flash will even spend in Gotham or how significant a part Keaton plays. These versions of Batman are at opposite ends of their respective careers, but Pattinson’s comparatively untested Dark Knight can propel the character in a bold new direction.

Keaton gave one of the best Batman portrayals with his intimidating yet humorous persona, playing Bruce Wayne as an off-kilter loner. Bruce’s scatterbrain quality effectively downplayed suspicion of his alternate life as a crimefighter. It would be enthralling to witness how his Batman has changed over 30 years, but Keaton only lends support to Miller’s Flash. There’s a risk of Keaton’s return devolving into empty nostalgia and not organic development of the character. Furthermore, Affleck’s story must be satisfactorily resolved before incorporating Keaton, whose involvement feels somewhat of a necessity with the former’s departure. In contrast, Pattinson has free reign to introduce his much younger Batman. He’s an actor known for undertaking intense, transformative roles and wouldn’t have signed on unless he could provide something unique. The Batman promises a deeper exploration of the hero’s psychology, and Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne seems yet to adopt his playboy persona.

Being only his second year as Batman, it would be thrilling to experience him make costly errors. No live-action film has examined his transition from novice vigilante to seasoned superhero, but Pattinson can rectify this as he learns how to become a detective. Pattinson’s moral compass may be a work-in-progress, evidenced by his merciless, visceral beating of a gang member in the film’s trailer. His grunge aesthetic of unkempt hair and messy eye makeup accompany a return to Gothic surroundings, hopefully striking the right balance between Burton’s macabre darkness and the grounded approach of Christopher Nolan. Burton’s nightmarish, hyper-stylized Gotham City would be fantastic to revisit but, with Barry Allen exploring the Multiverse, Keaton’s Gotham could be reduced to a brief, sentimental backdrop and not expanded upon. Similarly, Keaton’s rogues’ gallery will be difficult to navigate. His previous enemies are dead, and other villains he undoubtedly fought might receive but a fleeting reference, whereas The Batman boasts several antagonists.

Covering a period when his enemies have just begun to creep from the shadows, Reeves’ film can explore Gotham’s reaction to Batman inspiring a new breed of psychotic criminals. Batman Returns’ Selina Kyle storyline is yet to be topped, but a fresh take with Pattinson and Zoë Kravitz’s Catwoman appeals more than recycling the past. Keaton’s portrayal was great for Burton’s world, but his impact could be diluted when uprooted to the DCEU. Pattinson’s separate continuity allows greater freedom to embrace its new, provocative Batman.