WHY MICHAEL KEATON TURNED DOWN $15 MILLION TO BE IN BATMAN 3

Michael Keaton, who starred as the Caped Crusader in Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992) turned down a reported $15 million to play Batman in Tim Burton's third film in the series. According to ComicBookMovie, had Tim Burton not been removed from the project for refusing to ease up on the darkness, Michael Keaton would have starred alongside Rene Russo as his love interest, and Marlon Wayans as Robin! In an interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Keaton discussed his possible role in the Batman 3, Keaton explained simply, "It sucked...Yeah, it just was awful." Tim Burton was replaced by Joel Schumacher, and Keaton was replaced by Val Kilmer in the movie, dubbed Batman Forever, and the movie went on to become a commercial success, earning $336 million, less than Batman but more than Batman Returns.