Thursday, August 25, 2011

Sneak Peeks of Hot Toys DX Michael Keaton 1989 Batman

These are sneak peeks of the Hot Toys MMS DX 1/6 scale 1989 Version MICHAEL KEATON Batman 12-inch figure from the 1989 Batman film. For those of us who can't wait for the official preview pictures from Hot Toys, these will have to do for now since these pictures have already been released by Hot Toys for print and have appeared in a Hong Kong magazine. The picture below is NOT a screen shot but the actual Hot Toys 1989 Batman prototype picture :)


If the Hot Toys MMS DX 1989 MICHAEL KEATON Batman is as movie-accurate as the film version, don't expect too much neck articulation from this guy. The 1989 Batman movie batsuit had practically no neck articulation at all. Michael Keaton as Batman couldn't turn his head, he had to turn his body because the Batman cowl and neck was one solid piece.



The basic design of the suit, done by Bob Ringwood, is essentially the Neal Adams version of the costume, which was still in vogue in the comics during the 1980s. This movie suit was notable for its introduction of the grapple gun, which was later adopted by the comics, for the black eye makeup worn under the mask, which has been used in every live-action Batman film since, and for the construction of the cowl, which made it impossible for actor Michael Keaton to turn his head while wearing it. The costume was constructed of heavy materials (foam rubber in real life, special body armour in the context of the film), instead of the thinner material seen in the comics. While Bruce Wayne is depicted as a muscular man in the comics, Keaton was not of the same physical build and the armor was designed to make Batman appear that way. [ source: wiki ]

And then there are the gadgets. They looked real cool in the movie and they still look just as cool today :) Being a DX boxed set, the Hot Toys 1989 Batman will have quite a generous supply of the Batman gadgets we have all come to love.


Last but not least, there're those famous lips. When comic book fans found out about Tim Burton directing the film with Michael Keaton starring in the lead role, controversy arose over the tone and direction Batman was going in. Mel Gibson, Kevin Costner, Charlie Sheen, Pierce Brosnan, Tom Selleck and Bill Murray were all considered for Batman. Having directed Keaton in Beetlejuice, Burton and Producer Jon Peters favored Keaton, arguing he had the right "edgy, tormented quality." To combat negative reports on the film's production, Batman co-creator Bob Kane was hired as creative consultant. [ source: wiki]

It seems like Hot Toys will include at least three different facial expressions for the DX 1/6 scale 1989 MICHAEL KEATON Batman 12-inch figure. Can't wait to get my hands on this baby :)


Hopefully we'll get to see MORE pictures soon.
UPDATE: Official pictures are OUT - check it out HERE!

10 comments:

actfigman said...

hmmm... I've honestly not purchased any 1/6 in ages...this may break that drought... I've always liked the first M.Keaton Batman...

Ben said...

I was only 4 years old when this movie came out and at that age is when I became a Batman fan for life... This is where all my love for Batman came from. This will most likely be my most worshiped figure.

Archius said...

Dope!

Bubbashelby said...

Wow, talk about the ultimate collectible for the Bat fan! Batman (1989) was THE movie that launched my bat-fandom into the stratosphere, I saw it 9 times in the theatre that summer! I would love to own this, it would be the center of my collection!

Super-Duper ToyBox said...

i might have to buy that! Love!!!

alex teo said...

I guess for many of us, this BATMAN started it all. Not just in terms of toys but also superhero movies. This one got the ball rolling!

desmond said...

Bro, offcial pictures are out in Toy World forum..

alex teo said...

thanks desmond :) already posted - check out the NEXT post: http://toyhaven.blogspot.com/2011/08/hot-toys-dx09-batman-16th-scale-batman.html

CHEERS

John Sholtz said...

That Batman is one of coolest figures I have ever seen. It is a dead on likeness of Michael Keaton. Too cool.

alex teo said...

yup, can't wait for its release :)