In a recent interview with Screen Rant during the ‘Matilda In Concert’ promotion, Danny DeVito, who played the iconic role of Oswald Cobblepot, alongside Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman and Michael Keaton’s Batman, mentioned he’s up for a return to his DC character but with a specific condition: Tim Burton must be in the director’s chair.
The chat turned to DeVito’s potential return as The Penguin when discussing Michael Keaton’s comeback in ‘The Flash.’ The 79-year-old shared:
“If Tim Burton was directing it, I’d be there in a second. Oswald Cobblepot is my favorite. I had a good time. It’s operatic. I like going big every once in a while [Laughs], and so I’d do that in a second. We had a ball doing that.”
Burton stepped away from the series after ‘Batman Returns,’ handing over the reins to Joel Schumacher for the next installment while Val Kilmer replaced Keaton.
A Light-Hearted Reunion Between DeVito And His Batman
A delightful moment at this year’s Oscars saw a mini-reunion with Keaton, DeVito, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, who played Mr. Freeze, sharing the stage and humorously recalling their battles with Batman, much to the audience’s amusement.
The event also featured a humorous exchange when the two villains challenged the Batman actor sitting in the crowd with words like ‘We’ll see you after the Governor’s Ball, pal!’ Keaton’s reaction elicited laughter at the Dolby Theatre, as he kept his persona with a simple smirk and a ‘bring it on’ gesture.
Looking ahead, the door is slightly ajar for an official reunion with Burton potentially directing again.
There’s A Chance For A Tim Burton Comeback
After mending his relationship with Warner Bros. and returning to direct a ‘Beetlejuice’ sequel, the chances seem better than ever for the director to take on another Batman project.
Burton’s original departure from Warner Bros. was due to creative differences, as his vision for Batman clashed with the studio’s desire for a more family-friendly approach. Now, there is a growing appetite for darker, more gothic superhero films following the ‘fatigue’ slowing down new releases.
Currently, the Batman universe continues to expand with ‘The Brave And The Bold,’ directed by Andy Muschietti under James Gunn’s DCU banner, and Matt Reeves’ ‘The Batman’ set for a sequel in October 2026.
