From Batman to Dumbo: What’s Going on with Michael Keaton?
By Buckie Wells
It looks like Tim Burton and Michael Keaton may team up again if Disney can snag the actor for their live-action adaptation of Dumbo.
Michael Keaton solidified his status as a cool dude in Hollywood the moment he followed up his role in Beetlejuice with Batman and Batman Returns. But he’s been off the radar lately. Sure, he starred in Birdman and The Founder, but only one of those films really connected with mainstream audiences.
And maybe it was just me, but when I heard he joined Spider-Man: Homecoming, I was pretty shocked. It didn’t really seem his speed — especially to play the Vulture. If you’re familiar with the comics, the Vulture is often depicted as a bald-headed geriatric in a green suit with wings. It’s not exactly a glamorous role or anything as cool as Doctor Octopus. Clearly, Marvel thought their idea through and hatched the perfect plan, because let’s be real: the Vulture looks really cool in the new trailers.
Obviously, Keaton wants to add more depth to the character. But does that signal a comeback for the actor? Will he make the perfect villain?
Apparently, Disney thinks so. News broke this week that the megastudio is eying him to be a villain in another upcoming film: Dumbo.
According to Variety:
"The original story followed an ostracized baby circus elephant who strives to achieve his full potential. If a deal closes, Keaton would play the man who acquirers [sic] the circus from DeVito’s character in order to exploit the lovable elephant and his mother."
Yeah, this movie is about elephants. And it’s also the film that Will Smith dropped out of because they wouldn’t pay what he wanted. The report also details that Colin Farrell is in talks to join the project. If you saw Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Farrell made it pretty clear that he can play a glorious villain as well.
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Spider-Man: Homecoming hits theaters this summer as Dumbo prepares to go into production sometime this year.