15 of the most unlikely action heroes in movie history
When comedy and drama stars turn to fist fights and shoot-outs
Michael Keaton, 'Batman'
Hardcore fans of the comic book franchise objected heavily to Keaton's casting as the Caped Crusader in director Tim Burton's 1989 feature film version, with a massive campaign resulting in thousands of letters of protest being sent to the Warner Bros. offices. Not only was Keaton not considered a traditional action star - particularly by the standards of the testosterone-driven 1980s - but his best-known roles up to that point had been of a broadly comedic variety, leaving fans fearful that Burton would be dabbling in the campier tone of the 1960s TV series. But they needn't have worried - Keaton not only proved a perfect fit for the film's somber, darkly comedic vibe, he also made a surprisingly adept action hero.
- Chris Eggertsen
Comments
Option 1
Comment instantly as a guest GuestOption 2
Option 3
Login or create a HitFix account Login SignupPrettok
August 26, 2012 at 4:00AM EST Reply to Comment"movie history" only goes back thirty years.
Wozzaseds Ha. Indeed. I'd vote for Doris day in calamity Jane (she shoots Indians whilst singing - can anyone else on the list do that... Well maybe Streep!)
August 26, 2012 at 8:41AM ESTDante
August 27, 2012 at 4:04PM EST Reply to CommentPaul Reiser in The Tower came to mind. I haven't seen it since I was a kid (probably when it was new?) and so my memory of it may be off, but I remember thinking it was a bit... unlikely.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108371/
ed newman
August 28, 2012 at 9:23AM EST Reply to CommentAnjelina in Salt. She weighs about eighty pounds! It looks like she could be defeated with a well placed fan!
billygilmore77
August 30, 2012 at 1:54AM EST Reply to CommentMy memory seems to recall a significant amount of scoffing at Bruce Willis' ability to pull off an action movie prior to the release of die hard.