The Bat, The Cat & The Director: Tim Burton Directs Michael Keaton & Michelle Pfeiffer On The Set Of BATMAN RETURNS

Movies In Focus would argue that 1992’s Batman Returns is the best Batman movie. It may or may not be the case, but it’s a film with strong visuals and sense of tone. 

Michael Keaton returned as Batman, Danny DeVito and Michelle Pfeiffer portrayed The Penguin and Catwoman with Christopher Walken was cast as megalomaniac Max Shreck (who takes his name from the German star of silent classic Nosferatu).

The combination of The Bat, The Cat and The Penguin will be seen again in Matt Reeves’ upcoming The Batman. That film will have Robert Pattinson, Zoe Kravitz and Colin Farrell in the roles. 

For Batman Returns Tim Burton ditched the outdoor sets at Pinewood Studios, setting up camp on soundstages in Burbank, a move which helps to give Batman Returns a claustrophobic quality, a sense of oppression. The steely palette and angular sets along with the wintery setting give the film a unique look and style. Sure, Burton’s ’89 film may be set in a netherworld between the ‘30s and ‘80s, but the Gotham City of Batman Returns appears to be set in a parallel universe.

This image shows Burton directing Keaton and Pfeiffer on the epic rooftop set of the 1992 release. 

Batman Returns grossed $162 million at the US box office and $266.9 million globally.