What matters to an actor the most? Money will be a priority. Who would be able to do justice to the demands of this profession on an empty stomach? But once you clear that hurdle, you get to their professional pursuits. What an actor will cherish the most is making a mark on the industry. Legacy. Respect. Recognition. Take that away, and you have taken a swipe at their very core. Adam West knows that better than most.
A Batman to be remembered (or not)
Adam West’s Batman was a world apart from the modern renditions of the Caped Crusader’s story
The Hell River star is credited with bringing to life Batman for the first time on the screen, albeit in a different tone. Batman, which started airing in 1966, portrayed Batman in a lighter vein. The show had a host of elements that would be in direct contrast to everything that the contemporary Batman stands for.
The Adam West-starrer had its fair share of silly supervillains, colorful costumes, and a comedic tone. It was tailored to the tastes of TV viewers at the time, viewers who would not know the reality of how dark Batman’s story really is. That would change though.
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The (original) Rise of the Dark Knight
Michael Keaton’s Batman would be a tribute to all comic book faithful
In 1989, there was growing clamor to bring to life a version of Batman that is more mature and grim. Michael E. Uslan, himself a fan, would produce a Batman movie that would honor the fans of the Batman comics, marking a sharp departure from Adam West’s Batman.
Tim Burton would be entrusted with helming the film. Michael Keaton would play the titular role. Something was cooking. But not everyone was happy. Fans had their doubts about the Spider-Man: Homecoming star’s acting prowess. Another man who held reservations about his ability was Adam West.
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Adam West couldn’t make sense of the changes
Adam West was disappointed for not being kept in the loop about the upcoming Batman
The Night of the Kickfighters star would be devastated to see Michael Keaton play the next Batman. In an interview at the time, he revealed that he couldn’t contain his disappointment, crying for well over an hour. He was dejected. Not only because the Game 6 star was chosen for the role but also because he wasn’t consulted at all.
Despite the disappointment, West knew that times were changing. He said in the interview,
“That’s their stuff. That’s their business, and they have a film in mind. I’ve already done it. I’ve done my Batman.”
Yet, he had a feeling that the movie would not be able to hit the same level as his show, adding a comment at the end,
“Do you want the Classic Coke, or do you want the New Stuff?”
The fans can very well decide that for themselves.
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Source: Slash Film
