Things You Probably Didn't Know

[IceWizard]

About Batman







On June 23, 1989, Tim Burton’s spin on the well-known story of the
DC Comics hero Batman was released in theaters. It was the first installment
of Warner Bros.' initial Batman film series and starred Michael Keaton as
Bruce Wayne/Batman. Here are a few surprising bat-facts you didn't know
about The Caped Crusader.




Hollywood's Biggest Stars Were Considered For The Title Role

Tim Burton lobbied hard to cast Michael Keaton in the 1989 movie. Keaton was best known
at the time as a comedic actor and didn’t exactly look the part. Michael Keaton’s casting
was initially a source of controversy, resulting in Batman fans writing 50,000 letters to
Warner Bros. protesting the decision. Other actors considered to play Batman included:
Alec Baldwin, Mel Gibson, Kevin Costner, Charlie Sheen, Pierce Brosnan, Tom Selleck,
and Bill Murray. Kiefer Sutherland, Eddie Murphy, and Marlon Wayans were initially
considered to play Robin.



Batman Was Originally A Blonde

Bob Kane's original idea for The Batman's costume was drastically different as it appears today.
Batman started off with blonde hair, a red jumpsuit, and a domino mask which only covered
his eyes. There was also no sign or logo on his chest. The only thing that made this version
of the hero feel like Batman was his cape. It was far from the iconic hero we know and
love today.



Bruce Wayne's Name Comes From Two Real Heroes

Bob Kane has long been named as the sole creator of Batman and while he was the originator,
another man had a very large role in the character’s formation. Bill Finger was the man who
nixed the colorful bat look, suggested Batman wear a full head cover rather than just a mask
and his cape should be jagged to resemble wings. Finger also apparently came up with the
name Bruce Wayne. The name is a mashup of Scottish national hero Robert the Bruce and
“Mad” Anthony Wayne, a hero of the American Revolution.


   
            Robert the Bruce                      .....                      “Mad” Anthony Wayne



Fans Voted To Kill Off Robin

The Boy Wonder was initially only supposed to appear in one issue of the comic book because
the editor didn’t like the idea of a kid fighting gangsters and “Batman was doing well enough
by himself.” The issue with Robin however sold double so the youngster was made a regular
part of the series as a result. Decades later, comic book fans were allowed to vote whether
Robin would live or die in the four-issue arc, ”A Death in the Family.” Fans decided they'd had
enough of Robin and in 1988 they voted for the Boy Wonder to be killed off.



There Is a City In Turkey Called Batman

While many fans would love to live in a city called Batman, the mayor of Batman, Huseyin Kalkan,
was not pleased by the connection. After the release of The Dark Knight he tried to sue
Warner Bros. and Christopher Nolan for using the city’s name in his films apparently stating,
“There is only one Batman in the world.”  Ironically,  the city—formerly known as Iluha—was
not called “Batman” until 1957, 18 years after the comics debuted.