Michael Keaton Once Collaborated with This Renowned 'Superman' Star

Nothing can set a fan's heart aflutter more than a good movie crossover of their favorite superheroes. As such, media giants DC Universe has followed the trend of interweaving characters' storylines, making them share the spotlight jointly in movies.

However, just a few decades ago, the thought of it ever happening was not even a talked-about notion. At that time, DC felt every superhero blockbuster should feature a standalone character who saves the day and fights for justice. Any collaborations to be made were restricted to the comics and never envisioned for the silver screen.

Therefore, the possibility of Michael Keaton's Batman ever starring with another DC Comics hero could have only been fiction. Astonishingly, this alliance happened, but not in the way fans might have pictured it.

Christopher Reeve is one of the many actors who have acted as an incarnate of the man of steel. His features spanned 1978's "Superman: The Movie" to 1987's "Superman IV: The Quest for Peace."

He garnered rave reviews for his part and is arguably one of the best to have done the red cape. His run as Clark Kent sadly ended in the late nineties as the showrunners wanted a fresh face. For Keaton, he starred as the Dark Knight of Gotham after Reeve had left his superhero role, featuring in 1989's Batman.

Even if a crossover was at play during that era, the movie stars would never have met as their time with the DC universe preceded one another. It took a different movie entirely to unite the actors on set, which premiered before Keaton's first stint as Batman hit the theaters.

The stars got the chance to work together on a 1994 romantic comedy directed by Ron Underwood. Titled "Speechless," it starred Keaton as a speechwriter who was constantly competing with his rival, played by Geena Davis, to create content for their senate candidates. Reeve portrayed Davis' ex, a TV war correspondent, and the trio ultimately gets embroiled in a love triangle.

With both actors past their prime, it is almost impossible for the pair to star in a superhero film together. Hence, it is safe to say that fans will never have a taste of seeing two of their favorites share the screen and defeat the bad guys.

The blame can be placed squarely on the showrunners initial fears to acknowledge the possibility that multiple superheroes can star in the same blockbuster and still produce a hit.

They felt changing the narrative from a protagonist and adversary rivalry; to an all-out feud between multiple heroes and several super-powered enemies might not be welcomed by movie lovers.

It took a while for the mindset to change, and things have only gotten better since then. Movies like "Batman versus Superman: Dawn of Justice" and the "Justice League" have proven the usefulness and profitability of crossovers.

Despite the lack of crossovers to further increase the thrills in superhero blockbusters, most chosen actors performed excellently in standalone roles as caped crusaders. However, when Keaton was chosen as Batman in

Tim Burton's 1989 version, fans had initially touted that he was not the best fit.

The A-lister ultimately proved critics wrong by delivering a sterling performance as the dark, brooding superhero. By his second stint in "Batman Returns," he had won over the skeptics, and everyone was anticipating seeing him in a third installment.

Unfortunately, the actor rejected the opportunity to reprise his role in a third film because he disliked the script. He left to feature in several other projects away from the famed vigilante line. As might be expected, fans still remember him more for his role as the Batman.

Although Keaton turned down the script for a third stint, he did not close the door on the possibility of coming back to DC Universe. And as such, fans can expect to see him return in "The Flash."

30 years have elapsed since the actor starred in "Batman Returns." Therefore, the upcoming speedster film will serve as his opportunity to enjoy a crossover for the first time.

The movie has Ezra Miller in the lead role as Barry Allen, one of the many users of the speed force. Both movie stars will meet in the blockbuster when Ezra's character journeys to another universe and encounters Keaton's Batman.

Luckily for fans, "The Flash" will not be Keaton's last feature in the DC Extended Universe. Apparently, he will also turn up in a reboot of "Batgirl," alongside "In the Heights" star Leslie Grace.