For many, Tim Burton's 1989 Batman is still the best live-action take on the iconic DC Comics hero, and Michael Keaton's interpretation of the title character is still held up as the quintessential Caped Crusader.
Even those who wouldn't put Batman '89 (or its sequel, Batman Returns) on such a high pedestal would tend to appreciate what Burton was able to achieve by bringing a darker, noir-inspired version of the Dark Knight to the big screen for the first time, but the man who currently (co)holds the keys to the new DCU kingdom sees things a little differently.
A decade-old Facebook post from James Gunn has resurfaced, and the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 director does not hold back in his criticisms of Burton's Batman movies. It doesn't sound like he's a huge fan of Christopher Nolan's first two films (this appears to be prior to The Dark Knight Rises' release) either.
A lot of DC fans have taken issue with Gunn's remarks, with some going so far as to call for him to be removed from his position as co-CEO of DC Studios. We have no idea why someone sharing their opinion on a 30-year-old movie somehow makes them unqualified to run a studio, but it's certainly understandable that Batman '89 aficionados would vehemently disagree with and feel compelled to challenge his comments.
What do you make of Gunn's take? Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments section.
About The Author:
Mark Cassidy is a writer, photographer, amateur filmmaker, and Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic from Dublin, Ireland.