Superhero culture has come a long way since the 1980s, when making a movie about a comic book character who inspired a campy TV was considered a questionable decision for a studio. But while Tim Burton’s “Batman” was a risk, the Michael Keaton-led film reinvented the superhero movie genre and paved the way for many of the 21st century’s biggest blockbusters.

While Keaton was safe from the toxic online discourse that swarms many contemporary superhero casting announcements these days, he still remembers that comic book fans weren’t thrilled to see him donning Batman’s cape and cowl. In a new video interview with GQ, Keaton recalled his initial shock about being cast in the role and the movie’s unlikely road to success.

“When they said ‘We’re thinking of doing Batman,’ I said, ‘Wait, you’re thinking of making a movie about Batman?’,” Keaton said...