Batman is a
1989 superhero film based on the
DC Comics character
of the same name, directed by
Tim Burton. The film stars
Michael Keaton in the title role, as well as
Jack Nicholson,
Kim Basinger,
Robert Wuhl and
Jack Palance. The film, in which Batman deals with the rise of a powerful villain known as "The Joker", is the first installment of
Warner Bros.'
Batman film series.
After Burton's hiring as director,
Steve Englehart and
Julie Hickson wrote
film treatments before
Sam Hamm wrote the first screenplay.
Batman was not
greenlit until after the success of Burton's
Beetlejuice (1988). Numerous
A-list actors were considered for the role of Batman. Nicholson was cast as the Joker in a deal that included both salary and a portion of the
box office profits.
