Key Points:
- Michael Keaton accidentally revealed a major Batman plot twist during an interview on David Letterman’s show.
- Keaton spoiled that Jack Nicholson’s Joker was responsible for the death of Bruce Wayne’s parents in the film.
- The reveal differed from the comic book, where a thug named Joe Chill was traditionally the killer.
Michael Keaton, who played Batman in Tim Burton’s 1989 film, let a major plot twist slip during an appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman. While promoting Batman, Keaton accidentally revealed that Jack Nicholson’s Joker was responsible for killing Bruce Wayne’s parents in the movie, a significant departure from the original comic book storyline. In the comics, a thug named Joe Chill was responsible for their deaths. This slip-up surprised fans of the source material, though it was limited to those who caught the live interview, as social media wasn’t around at the time.
What Did Michael Keaton Reveal on Letterman?
During the interview, Keaton casually mentioned that Nicholson’s Joker was responsible for Bruce Wayne’s tragic backstory in the movie.
That time Michael Keaton spoiled ‘Batman’ for everyone #MichaelKeaton pic.twitter.com/JLRkZVTn7S
— CinemaBlend (@CinemaBlend) September 8, 2024
This was a big twist since fans of the comic book were familiar with Joe Chill as the original killer of Batman’s parents. At the time, Keaton likely didn’t think too much of the reveal, but it was a huge spoiler for those who had yet to see the movie. Luckily for him, social media didn’t exist in 1989, so the spoiler only affected a small audience compared to what it would have today.
Keaton later admitted that he didn’t remember the interview blunder but called it “stupid” when reminded of it. Reflecting on how easily he gave away the twist, Keaton was surprised but humorously remarked that it seemed like something he would do.
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How the Spoiler Could Have Played Out Today?
Had Keaton dropped this spoiler in today’s world, it likely would have spread quickly across social media and YouTube, reaching a much wider audience before the movie’s release. In the late 1980s, only those who saw the interview live or heard about it through limited media coverage were affected. Now, spoilers are tightly guarded by studios, and actors are often warned to avoid giving away major plot points during interviews.
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Despite Keaton’s slip, the film was still a huge success, and fans loved his portrayal of Batman. Keaton would later return to the role in Batman Returns and even came back in 2023’s The Flash.
Catch Michael Keaton in his latest project Beetlejuice 2, now in theaters.
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