Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman Almost Never Happened Because Of Michael Keaton

During the production of the 1992 film Batman Returns, a cloud of uncertainty loomed over the destiny of Michelle Pfeiffer’s enchanting portrayal of Catwoman. Behind the scenes, an undercurrent of tension builds up between Pfeiffer and the film’s leading man, Michael Keaton.

The simmering friction had its roots in a previous relationship between the iconic co-stars, adding a layer of complexity to the situation. The fracas threatened to transform one of cinema’s most iconic character portrayals into a “what-if” scenario as Pfeiffer, who was 35 years old at the time, ultimately faced the possibility of being dropped from the project.

Michael Keaton believes that Michelle Pfeiffer’s casting would have ruined his chances at reconciling with his first wife

Just before the production of Batman Returns commenced, a significant personal chapter had unfolded in Keaton’s life as he had divorced his first wife, Caroline McWilliams, in 1990. The ex-lovers remained remarkably close, to the point where Keaton actively pushed for a reconciliation between them. Given this emotionally charged backdrop, the 72-year-old understandably had reservations about Pfeiffer’s casting in the film due to their shared history of romantic involvement.

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Even though their off-screen relationship had been relatively brief, Robert Wuhl, who portrayed Gotham Globe reporter Alexander Knox in the film, disclosed in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter that Keaton was scared that their on-screen chemistry might surpass what was originally envisioned, thus affecting his move to reunite with McWilliams. “To put a little fly in the ointment, Michael Keaton and Michelle Pfeiffer had previously dated and broken up,” he told the outlet. “At the time, Michael told me he was trying to get back with his ex-wife. Keaton was firmly, and underlined firmly, against that casting of Pfeiffer.”

She says she enjoyed her time working with Michael Keaton in ‘Batman Returns’

Although reports surfaced that Keaton and producer Jon Peters had their differences regarding Pfeiffer’s casting, her undeniable skill as an actress ultimately won over the decision-makers, leading to her iconic portrayal of Catwoman in the film.

Despite the initial scuttle, the 65-year-old confessed in an interview with Entertainment Tonight that she enjoyed her time working alongside the Batman star. “It was great actually working with him, having had a history because I was really out of my element. Also, the fact that he had done this kind of picture before, and I didn’t know what to expect,” she reminisced. “I felt really comfortable with him. I felt really safe with him. I could ask him, ‘Why am I feeling so awful? I don’t know what’s going on.’ And he would explain it to me. ‘I know. I went through it on the first one.’”