Michael Keaton to return as Batman after 30-year absence

Michael Keaton's Batman is now official. Keaton is set to play Batman for the first time since 1992 in Batman Returns. There was some doubt about those reports in recent months, but it is now official that Keaton will be taking part.

Keaton's talent agency has confirmed he will return to his role in the upcoming DC movie The Flash, which is being directed by IT's Andy Muschietti. Keaton and Ben Affleck will both play their own versions of Bruce Wayne, each interacting with the Flash on his journey to fix the reality he broke.

Previously, Keaton explained that the COVID situation in the UK would determine whether or not he ultimately took on the project.

"I'm more concerned. I keep my eye more on the COVID situation in the UK than anything," said Keaton. "That will determine everything, and so that’s why I'm living outside the city here on 17 acres, staying away from everybody, because the COVID thing has got me really concerned. So, that's my first thing about all projects. I look at it and go, is this thing going to kill me, literally? And you know, if it doesn't, then we talk."

With the COVID situation apparently on the return to normal, it appears as though Keaton got a firm answer to his question.

Keaton first played the role of Batman back in 1989 in the critically acclaimed film by Tim Burton.