Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Ben Affleck donned the grumpy face of Batman inBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justicealongside Henry Cavill back in 2016. His version was inspired by Christian Bale in Christopher Nolan’sThe Dark Knighttrilogy.
Nolan’s version of The Dark Knight was based on the comic books created by veteran comic book artist Frank Miller. To top it all off, Frank Miller’s inspiration for a dark Batman was the goofy TV showBatmanfrom 1966. Yeah… it’s likeInception.Batception, if you will.
How Frank Miller Was Inspired By Adam West ForThe Dark Knight Returns
Back in 1966, veteran actor Adam West starred in a show titledBatman.The show depicted a goofy Batman and Robin (played by Burt Ward) and received great ratings. However, back then, comedy was selling and fans actually liked it.
In 1986, comic book artistFrank Millerdecided to change the genre and create a grimacing and terrifying Batman that criminals would be terrified of. The 1986 comic bookThe Dark Knight Returnswas the result.
Val Kilmer’s Infamous Batman Suit Had a Real Life Inspiration That Became George Clooney’s Nightmare: ‘It was all about anatomy’
Christopher Nolan based his trilogy on Frank Miller’s inspiration for a grim Bruce Wayne. In an interview withInverse, Frank Miller and DCEU directorZack Snydersat down for a lengthy chat. During their talks, Miller mentioned his inspiration for the 1986 comic book.
The notorious old TV show, the one with Adam West and Burt Ward. I mean, that was a goof. It was basically a snide take on stuff that I remember that I absolutely loved.
He continued,
I loved the comic book characters and the TV show was constantly telling you how stupid the comic book was. So, without question, I was rejecting that damn show more than anything when I did Dark Knight Returns.
It’s funny how vengeance can be a source of inspiration to create something great and iconic. That’s exactly what Frank Miller did and after some time, the world came to recognize Batman as this serious detective who criminals fear.
Before Sofia Falcone, Cristin Milioti Was Absolutely Smitten With Another Batman Villain
While Miller was telling the tale, Zack Snyder was right beside him agreeing with the comic book artist. During their talks, Snyder also mentioned his side of the story and how he preferred Miller’s Batman over everything.
Zack Snyder Does Not Want To See“The Bullsh*t Batman”
Snyder directed Ben Affleck as Batman during his reign in the DCEU. Together, the duo worked inBatman v Superman: Dawn of JusticeandZack Snyder’s Justice League,and the world accepted him as the new Batman.
AlthoughBen Affleckbased his Batman on Christian Bale’s role in Christopher Nolan’sThe Dark Knight Trilogy,Snyder had some other ideas. During his talk with Miller, Snyder also commented on the infamous 1966 TV show.
The Dark Knight Returns is often credited with revolutionizing how Batman is perceived. But also my takeaway from Dark Knight Returns is exactly the same as you just stated it. Some people would say it’s deconstruction, and I understand that you might say that, but for me it was restorative.
I’m like: That’s my Batman. The Batman I want to see is that Batman, not the bullsh*t Batman who’s a joke.
Well, as it happens to be so, this comic version of Batman was also brought back by Tim Burton in 1989. Michael Keaton portrayed a goofy Batman and Joel Schumacher paid the price for the failure ofBatman ForeverandBatman and Robin.
James Gunn Needs This in DCU: Batman Has Trouble Asking for Help So DC Gave Him the Funniest SOS Codeword in Case He Needs Superman
The last iteration of the iconic character was done by Robert Pattinson and Matt Reeves in his iconic 2022 filmThe Batman.The dark and mystery movie received a high rating of 7.8/10 on IMDB and 85% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The iconic film is available to stream on Max in the U.S.
Visarg Acharya
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3262
Visarg Acharya is a Senior Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on movies, with over 3000 articles published. He has been an entertainment journalist for the past three years and a copywriter at a corporation. Visarg usually covers news and theories on the MCU and the DCU, with an emphasis on Avengers and Superman; Game of Thrones, and more.A Tarantino fan, Visarg, spends his time critiquing various directors’ filmographies and watching them with curiosity. Medieval fantasy like The Lord of the Rings or sci-fi movies like Interstellar, watching the latest horror movies, and listening to Hans Zimmer become his comfort zone. When idle, he can be found reading fantasy novels with a terrible cup of coffee in hand.
